The Locum’s Nest Blog
Navigating interoperability within the NHS: Connecting for better care
Navigating the modern healthcare landscape can be tricky, with a relentless cycle of passwords and platforms. Clinical data and administrative chores, each demanding their own pathways. The digital age promised ease, yet we continue to input the same data across different systems. Among the software clutter, clinicians lack the vital bridge — interoperability.
Quality improvement: through the lens of a doctor and product manager
As a doctor turned product manager, my medical background had a profound impact on how I approached quality improvement within Locum’s Nest. In medicine, we are trained to question everything and consistently seek improvements to enhance patient care. These principles naturally translated into the product management realm at Locum’s Nest.
The Royal Society of Medicine: A vibrant, global community for healthcare professionals
RSM members make RSM what they are. Their energy and interests shape the education programme. They broaden horizons and those who they connect with. Members come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines – each with their own story.
Tips for starting out in FY1
Dr Emily Palmer, current You Okay, Doc? ambassador, provides a concise list of useful tips for doctors starting their FY1 year.
Working in Singapore as a UK Trained Medic
Singapore has become a highly desirable destination for doctors looking to experience a different, forward thinking healthcare service which is ranked highly in the global efficiency ratings and at the forefront of medical excellence in the region. You’ll find exceptional professional development opportunities, enabling junior doctors to progress swiftly from training to specialisation.
Reflecting on ASPH’s QI Day: Inspiring Change & Collaboration
I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the Ashford and St Peter's inaugural Quality Improvement Day 2023. One of the key discussions centred around the balance between marginal gains and blue-sky thinking in driving change processes. The consensus was that both approaches are vital to maintaining momentum and achieving substantial improvements.
Mindful Learning: Reflective Practice as a Tool for Growth with Learna | Diploma MSc
Reflection forms an integral part of self-awareness, evaluation and improvement; by slowing down to create meaning and draw learning from experiences - future actions and decisions are informed. In turn, this reflective process creates a cycle of continuous learning and development. That’s why at Learna | Diploma MSc, all of our postgraduate diploma and master’s courses emphasise…
Our 5 pillars of Unlocking Financial Savings for NHS partners
At Locum's Nest, we pride ourselves on the remarkable results achieved through collaboration with our partner Trusts in their pursuit of financial goals. One such success story comes from the Royal United Bath Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which recently achieved impressive savings of over £1.3 million in avoidable costs within their ED department during the first three months of working with Locum's Nest. How did they accomplish this feat? The answer lies in our steadfast commitment to our five pillars of savings.
A Culture Of Collaboration Helping Foster The SWaG Collaborative Staff Bank
I am proud to be the designated Customer Solutions Lead for a number of the participating Trusts who’re now able to provide more comprehensive coverage for their patients as well as improved continuity of care, by maximising the strength of their collective staff pools. When I started working with Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, what struck me most was their desire to do things differently and listen to staff on the ground.
Beyond implementation: The importance of ongoing change management
Change is constantly happening, whether it's a new software implementation, a process change, or a shift in organisational structure. But what happens after implementation? Many organisations only consider change management during implementation, and then they move on to the next project. However, effective change management should be an ongoing process for leaders, as every process change you make, however small, can have a ripple effect on your organisation.
Why I left medicine and came back
In 2016, I left medicine to focus on building Locum’s Nest and it wasn't an easy decision, although at the time, it felt like the right one. Fast forward to 2020, COVID-19 hit, and everything changed. The General Medical Council (GMC) issued a call to arms announcement for doctors to help with the crisis, and I felt a duty to help in any way I could. With the support of my friends, family, and the Locum's Nest Board, I was able to continue my on-call work during weekends throughout the entirety of the pandemic.
Celebrating Partnership: Locum's Nest and MSE win 2023 HSJ award for Best Acute Sector Partnership with NHS
We are thrilled that our partnership with Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSE) has won the Best Acute Sector with the NHS HSJ Partnership Award 2023. This is a tremendous achievement and a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, as well as the remarkable partnership we have built with MSE.
Our Customer Solutions Leads: the people behind our NHS workforce technology
We do things differently at Locum’s Nest; we don’t just implement technology and wave goodbye. Instead, we offer a service behind our technology nurtured by our people; a genuine place of care towards every Trust we work with, providing a bespoke approach to understanding their needs.
Workforce at the heart of the NHS: Building a tech company to fight the NHS staffing crisis
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the NHS, an institution that has been at the heart of the UK’s healthcare system since its inception. The NHS has transformed the lives of millions of people, providing care and support to those who need it most. One of the most pressing NHS challenges is the staffing crisis, which threatens to undermine the quality of care provided by the NHS. The NHS workforce, although undoubtedly one of the greatest assets of our health and social care system, is also currently one of the most affected parts of the NHS.
Designing Workforce Technology with NHS Staff Wellbeing in Mind (Part 2)
In the fast-paced world of healthcare, technology plays a critical role in ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of patient care. From electronic health records to telemedicine, digital solutions are transforming the way our healthcare system works and how we interact with it. The successful integration of these technologies into healthcare systems has the potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.
Workforce technology on a mission to support NHS staff wellbeing (Part 1)
Workforce technology has tremendous potential to streamline and support processes within the NHS, increasing operational efficiency and service delivery. However within that, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to how workforce technology can also support staff wellbeing.
Flexa100: Driving Workforce Flexibility In The NHS And Within Our Company
At Locum’s Nest, we believe that when people can work flexibly, they can stay in the jobs they love for longer; which is why we’re driven to transform flexible working in the NHS for over 50,000 healthcare professionals, using our workforce technology solutions. Of course, none of this would be possible without an internal culture of trust, autonomy, and flexibility for our colleagues, which is why we are delighted to have won the Flexa100 awards for 2023, ranking as number 1!
Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire (SWaG) Collaborative Staff Bank driving flexible working within the NHS
The Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire (SWaG) Collaborative Staff Bank was born as a joint grassroots venture led by various NHS Trusts and aims to improve and support the way the NHS operates in the surrounding region. Together, the Trusts are able to provide more comprehensive coverage for their patients and improve continuity of care, maximising the strength of their collective staff pools.
2022 NHS workforce achievements of our partner NHS Trusts
Over 4,000 years ago, ancient Babylonian were said to have started the tradition of New Year’s resolutions and reflections, which has since taken many different forms and continues to be part of our lives today. At Locum’s Nest, we’re continuing the tradition! The team has spent some time reflecting on what a rollercoaster of a year 2022 has been and the impact of collaboration across the NHS.
Top Tips For Winter Wellbeing
As the temperature drops and the days grow darker, it’s more important than ever to focus on being kind to our minds and looking after our winter wellbeing. My name is Dr Stephanie Slater, I’m a GP and You Okay, Doc? (YOD) ambassador. I was diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression in 2019. These days I’m on a mission to end the stigma and I encourage everybody to look after their mental health, just as they would their physical.