Rural locum support service
Under this service every general practitioner with a rural ranking scale of 35+ is eligible to apply for a locum for a period of two weeks per annum (per FTE).
The Government funding covers the recruitment and travel costs of having a locum. The practice will still need to pay the locum and provide accommodation and a vehicle. The locum is employed as a contractor through NZLocums. As we are a not-for-profit organisation we pass on the cost of paying the locum, at the same rate at which the locum is paid, we do not charge the practice any recruitment fees or commission.
We pride ourselves on our service, however due to fluctuations in supply and demand for locums, we may not always be able to provide a locum at the time you need them. We will do our utmost to ensure we find a mutually suitable time so you can take your break.
Rural Recruitment Service
This scheme provides a national services for rural general practitioners (with a rural ranking scale of 35+), for the following situations:
- Recruitment for permanent positions
- Bridging recruitment solutions for filling a gap until your new permanent general practitioner arrives.
- Hotspot cover - where an unplanned or unresolved recruitment problem has arisen.
To ascertain your rural ranking eligibility you will need to contact your District Health Board for further information.
Quality of our locums
Our team of experienced medical recruiters source New Zealand qualified and international medical graduates to work with us on contract. We facilitate Medical Council registration requirements and arrange supervision for the locum if necessary.
Each locum candidate is fully reference checked and vetted by our service before being placed with a rural practice. When an internationally qualified locum arrives in New Zealand for the first time they attend a comprehensive orientation course run by us which covers many areas including cultural competence, the New Zealand health system and its funding streams.