|  This small book is aimed at anyone contemplating locum work for the
first time. It should answer more or less any question that an aspiring
locum might have, from covering for a friend on the odd Saturday morning
to the needs of someone intending to work as a locum overseas. Much of
the book consists of bullet points: an efficient way of providing a large
amount of information. Overall, the book is excellent. It is well produced,
and I found only one typographical error. There is much valuable advice
on issues as diverse as emergency hormonal contraception provision, the
use of different computer labelling systems, monitored dosage systems,
near patient testing and the extended role. There are many references
to helpful websites, but one that I find useful — www.streetmap.co.uk — is
not mentioned. With the latter, all one needs is to input the postcode.
The location of the pharmacy is then given to within 100m or so, on a
printable map.
I have only a few minor criticisms. The description of the different
types of prescription encountered in community pharmacy (p45) was probably
taken from the first edition without being updated. How long is it since
FP10 prescription forms were white? There is no mention of nurse prescriptions
(in existence for about eight years) and is there still a drug testing
scheme, requiring the use of FP10(DTS) forms? Also, I was surprised that
the locum agency through which I have taken bookings for several years
was not included in the apparently comprehensive list of agencies.
In summary, however, I regret that I did not buy the first edition of
this book when I started regular locums following retirement. It would
have saved me from learning about some issues the hard way.
John Wilson
|
The
Pharmaceutical Journal