The sessional GPs committee is aware of the declining number of locum opportunities across the UK, and that many sessional GPs are taking up substantive salaried roles. We’ve produced a list of considerations for those looking at finding a salaried role, or those who have been offered a contract already:  

Employment terms

• Does the practice offer the salaried GP model contract? 
• Is the salary offered above the minimum of the salaried GP pay range for your nation?
• Are salaries reviewed and uplifted annually to reflect DDRB recommendations?
• Does the practice use mutually agreed job plans and are these reviewed annually?
  Does the practice offer paid CPD (four hours a week for full-timers) in line with the model contract? 
• Are salaried doctors consulted when changes to appointment patterns are being considered? 
• Is the practice GMS, PMS, APMS or, for example, a trust-managed practice?
• Is there flexibility for term-time working or remote working?
• Does the post require working across more than one site?
• What is the visiting burden and is there any extended team supporting this work?

If you have been offered a contract already, use the BMA’s contract checking service to see if you have been offered the model terms. 

Workload and administrative support for clinicians

• What is the routine workload, and does it align with the BMA safe working guidance?
  How do on-call arrangements operate, are they manageable and pro-rata?  
• In the event of overtime, will you be paid or receive time off in lieu? 
• How are letters handled? Is there administrative support for coding and workflow management?
• Does the practice have any special demographic features, such as a high proportion of non-English speaking patients, homeless patients, student populations, prisons, or care home patient lists?
• What practice meetings are the salaried GPs invited to attend, and is adequate time scheduled for this to happen? 
• What other allied healthcare professionals work in the practice, for example pharmacists to do medicine reconciliation and visiting teams? 
• Will administrative support be available for Choose and Book, medical reports and private reports?
• Will you be responsible for the supervision of non-GP clinicians and if so, how is time protected for this? 

Work-life balance and wellbeing

• Is there flexibility for timings of surgery, such as your start and finish times?
• How are holiday requests managed and prioritised?
• Does the practice recognise the two NHS days in the salaried GP model contract?
• How did the vacancies arise? 

Culture, opportunities and partnership

• Does the practice support career development of its salaried GPs within or outside the practice, for example do salaried doctors have opportunities to take on leadership roles within the practice with allocated and protected, non-clinical time?
• Can salaried GPs take on new roles such as becoming a trainer, student supervisor, coil fitter, or minor surgery?
• Are there any changes such mergers, relocations, new premises planned in the near future?
• Does the practice have any teaching or training role? 
• Do doctors meet daily for coffee?
• Is there in-house education?
• Does the practice fund courses for doctors?
• Are there mentors at the practice?
• How many clinical sessions are provided by each of the partners? 
• What special interests do the partners have within the practice? 

For further advice and guidance on finding a substantive salaried role, see the salaried GPs handbook and our guide to working conditions for salaried GPs and employers