Take Control of Your Schedule This Summer: The Perks of Being a Locum Doctor

As the days get longer and brighter, many of us feel a natural urge to make the most of the summer season, from weekend getaways and family barbecues to outdoor fitness or simply more time relaxing in the sun. For doctors working in traditional, full-time hospital roles, this can often be a challenge. Rotas can be rigid, annual leave is limited, and flexibility is rarely guaranteed.

That’s where locum work shines. Choosing to work as a locum doctor with Locum Express offers one of the most valuable benefits any healthcare professional can ask for: control over your schedule. And in summer, that freedom becomes even more meaningful.

Set Your Own Hours, Not the Other Way Around

One of the primary advantages of locum work is the ability to decide when and where you work. Unlike permanent roles where shift patterns are often fixed and assigned weeks in advance, locum doctors can choose assignments that suit their availability. Whether you prefer working mornings to enjoy sun-filled afternoons or want a break midweek for a beach day, you can tailor your schedule around your life, not the other way around.

This is very appealing during the summer months when social calendars fill up, and the longer daylight hours offer more opportunity for activities and rest.

Build a Work Schedule Around Your Priorities

Locum work empowers doctors to align their professional commitments with personal goals. This could be something as simple as avoiding burnout by scheduling more frequent breaks, or as ambitious as taking time to pursue hobbies, travel, or family time.

For example, you might choose to work a series of short-term contracts over the early summer, then take the month of August off for a well-earned break. Or you might schedule work around school holidays, giving yourself more freedom to spend time with your children during their time off.

Balance Income with Freedom

While some assume that flexibility comes at the cost of income, many locum doctors actually find the opposite to be true. Locum rates are highly competitive, especially during peak periods like summer when permanent staff are on annual leave.

With strategic planning, you can work fewer hours while still earning a healthy income, freeing up more time to enjoy summer without financial stress.

Avoid Burnout with Built-in Breaks

Summer is a perfect opportunity to focus on self-care. With longer days and more time outdoors, it’s easier to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Locum work complements this by allowing you to plan regular breaks between assignments to recharge both mentally and physically.

Burnout remains a serious concern within the medical profession, with over 80% of doctors reporting feelings of stress or fatigue in recent years, according to the Medical Protection Society (MPS) MPS, 2023. 

More Time for What Matters

Whether it’s catching a summer concert, hiking in the hills, or simply enjoying an ice cream with your family in the garden, having time for life outside of work can make all the difference. Locum work enables doctors to create or rediscover that balance between career and life, especially in the months where we have a few extra hours of daylight.

The summer months offer the perfect opportunity to re-evaluate how your work supports your life. If flexibility, autonomy, and a better work-life balance are your priorities, working as a locum doctor could be the right path for you. 

Get in touch with the Locum Express team to take control of your schedule this summer and start living life on your terms.