A locum's shift starts before they walk through the door. That was the central message at our Pharmacy Show 2026 session, where Locate a Locum CEO Jonathon Clarke and Shilpa Shah, CEO of Community Pharmacy North East London, shared practical steps to ensure every shift runs safely and smoothly for the visiting pharmacist, the dispensary team, and patients.

Before founding Locate a Locum, Jonathon worked as a locum pharmacist. One of his very first shifts changed his entire approach to practice: "Newly qualified, I arrived at a pharmacy with a heavy methadone service that I wasn't used to. The team member I turned to for support was 17, fresh out of college, and couldn't offer much help. I had to adapt on the spot to a clinical risk I hadn't anticipated."

After that, Jonathon always got in touch with a pharmacy before a shift, to find out as much as he could about what he was walking into.

The good news is that none of this is complicated. Get the preparation, the welcome and the handover right, and the day goes better for the locum, the team and patients.

Fewer Pharmacists, More Clinical Demands

The latest NHS England Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey (2025) outlines the environment locums face today:

• 10% fewer community pharmacists between 2024 and 2025.
• Pharmacist cover per site decreased from 1.79 to 1.66 full-time equivalents (FTE).
• 10% fewer locum shifts year-on-year, despite expanding clinical service targets.

Compounding this, 71% of employed community pharmacists in the Chemist+Druggist Salary Survey described dispensary staffing levels as "quite low" or "so low it is dangerous".

For locums, this frequently means operating as the sole pharmacist on site alongside a dispensary team who knows the local rhythms far better than you do. A locum's clinical competence travels with them, but local knowledge does not. While induction cannot resolve sector-wide workforce shortages, thorough preparation prevents a demanding shift from escalating into a clinical crisis.

The Four Friction Points That Derail a Shift

Through contractor roundtables and locum feedback gathered alongside Community Pharmacy North East London, four recurring friction points emerged. All four are completely avoidable:

1. Missing Operational Information: Hidden alarm codes, unknown safe combinations, locked CD cabinets, or misplaced SOPs and Responsible Pharmacist (RP) registers.
2. Unclear Clinical Priorities: Unannounced flu clinics, heavy Pharmacy First referral queues, or uncommunicated NMS targets.
3. Inaccessible Systems: Expired PMR logins, lack of a 5F Smartcard role profile, or missing access to the pharmacy’s shared NHS mailbox, leaving locums blind to local LPC notices and safety-critical MHRA drug recalls.
4. Absence of Escalation Routes: No named clinical contact or direct telephone line for supplier shortages, courier disputes, or high-risk clinical interventions.

Before, During, and After: The Two-Way Framework

"It's a two-way journey," Shilpa emphasised.

Effective shift governance requires collaboration from both the contractor and the visiting professional, aligning with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) expectations for briefing locum staff.

1. Before: Clarify Expectations in Advance For the Pharmacy: 48 hours prior to the shift, send essential logistical details: opening hours, parking instructions, expected prescription volume, and the PMR system in use. Flag any planned audits, high-risk clinics, or unexpected regular staff absences.

For the Locum: Reach out before the shift to confirm the rota setup, and verify you hold active accreditation for scheduled clinical services. "There is no point stepping into a branch with a fully booked clinic if you aren't flu jab or service accredited," Jonathon noted.

2. During: The First 10 Minutes Set the Tone

For the Pharmacy: Take 10 minutes to introduce the dispensary team, confirm who handles which role, agree daily priorities, and provide an escalation contact (superintendent, owner, or nominated deputy).

For the Locum: Introduce yourself immediately, even if travel or parking delays made you late. Connect early with key support staff. For Jonathon, that anchor is often an experienced dispensary technician: "I'm there to make the clinical decisions, but I rely heavily on their experience for how the dispensary operates day-to-day."

3. After: Five Minutes for a Seamless Handover

For the Locum: Document unresolved tasks, record patients scheduled to return, and log significant clinical interactions on the PMR. Leave clear contact details in case queries arise after you leave.

For the Pharmacy: Review pending prescriptions, owings, and CD entries together, then run a brief debrief. Focus on communication, not just consultation tallies. As Shilpa pointed out: "Look after the person first; the clinical services and happy patients will follow."

Three Actions to Implement Before Your Next Shift

For the Pharmacy Team:

• Build a 1-Page Pre-Shift Cheat Sheet: Compile alarm codes, PMR systems, break expectations, emergency contacts, and regular GP bypass numbers (found via the NHS Service Finder) onto a single sheet of A4. "It takes an hour to build, but you can use it indefinitely," Jonathon noted.
• Nominate a Shift Buddy: Designate a senior dispenser or technician to welcome the locum, provide access codes, and walk them through unique branch habits as soon as they arrive.
• Formalise the Handover: Replace loose scrap paper with a bound handover log or secure digital note. Conclude the day with a two-minute performance debrief to ask what went well, what could be improved, and invite candid two-way feedback.

For the Locum Pharmacist:

• Send a Pre-Shift Check-In: Don't wait until you walk in. Reach out 48 hours before your shift to confirm the PMR system, expected volume, and make sure your clinical accreditations match the day's clinics.
• Find Your Anchor Early: Introduce yourself to the whole team immediately. Identify your "shift buddy" or lead technician early so you know exactly who to turn to when you need local knowledge.
• Leave a Clear Trail: Take five minutes before you leave to document unresolved tasks, owings, and patient follow-ups. Ensure the next pharmacist isn't left guessing.
• Jonathon’s summary holds true for locums and pharmacy owners alike: "Think about what you would want to know if you were walking into that dispensary tomorrow, and leave that exact clarity behind for the next clinician."

What This Means for Your Next Shift

If You’re an Owner or Pharmacy Manager: Eliminate repetitive morning onboarding delays. Shifts posted on Locate a Locum automatically display your PMR type and service accreditation requirements so applicants arrive fully prepared. Learn How Locate a Locum Works for Pharmacies

If You’re a Locum: Stop guessing dispensary software setups or missing critical safety notices on arrival. Every Locate a Locum shift listing specifies the active PMR system before you book. Real-time MHRA drug recall alerts are delivered straight to your phone so you never miss a patient safety update, and our compliance team is on hand to help you verify your 5F Smartcard profile. Download the Locate a Locum App