Locum Optometry In The UK: Locum Agencies... Are They In Our Favour?

Have You Ever Considered: Are Locum Agencies In Our Favour?

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, we've discussed the NHS, retail stores, and even our own missteps. Now, let's delve into the final, most influential factor: The Locum Agencies Themselves.

The Business Behind the Agencies

Locum agencies are not your allies; they are businesses. Their profits are directly linked to your earnings.

1. Paying for Convenience, Not Value

Agencies have streamlined the booking process, leveraging data and marketing to become the go-to method for hiring, overshadowing direct bookings of the past. However, there's a catch: the fees charged to optician stores ultimately reduce your locum rate. This convenience tax is borne by you, the worker.

2. The Monopoly Threat

As agencies strive for monopoly status, they wield a "take it or leave it" power, threatening to drive rates down. The illusion of leverage fades as market dominance takes precedence over fair compensation for locums.

3. Flipping the Model

To genuinely increase rates, agencies need to rethink their pricing model. Instead of charging stores and cutting locum pay, they could:

• Charge locums a fee, encouraging stores to maintain rates and providing locums with a tax-deductible expense.
• Implement ratings or KPIs for locums to justify higher rates, moving away from the current race to the bottom.
• Remove shifts from the market until negotiations conclude, compelling stores to commit.

In conclusion, while locum agencies offer convenience, their current model may not be in the best interest of locums. A shift in strategy could lead to fairer compensation and a more balanced market.