WQ89945 (e) Tabled on 29/11/2023

What is the average GP locum rate, hourly and per session, in each Welsh health board?

Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services | Answered on 06/12/2023

The Welsh Government does not hold financial information on ad hoc locum assignments.

Locum GPs are used to cover a variety of short-term vacancy situations by independent contractor practices and health boards. The total cost is not collected by Welsh Government.

Locum Hub Wales was developed to support the temporary sessional needs of Practices and enables GP Practices across Wales to advertise their sessional needs, and choose and book a GP Locum, who’s preferences match those of the practice, quickly and efficiently.

Locum Hub Wales’ introduction does not preclude the use of any existing mechanisms Practices or Locums may have in place for seeking sessional work.

The use of temporary staffing capacity remains an essential component of the primary care workforce. LHW provides structure and recognition of the importance of sessional work and the contribution of our GP partners working in Wales.

The process of engaging a locums’ services remains fully controlled by the Practice and the Locum.