History of locum agencies

RE: History of locum agencies

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 14:18:12 GMT

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"]One of the many reasons that only 3 people have my mobile number and it's always switched off[/quote]Funny I blocked their number and blacklisted their email address as well.

Why is it we're bombarded every day by locum agencies with candidates when we don't need them but they struggle to get a suitable one when we do?

RE: History of locum agencies

Neil Wheadon — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 14:12:12 GMT

Oh my goodness they are still about.

One of the many reasons that only 3 people have my mobile number and it's always switched off

Neil

RE: History of locum agencies

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 14:05:42 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]

There used to be a really dodgy one; can't remember the name off hand, but it was something like uncastrated male horse, oil drilling platform, or large articulated lorry ???

Are the still going?

[/quote]Having just done a quick Google search for a word starting with r and ending with g then yes!

I recall using an agency with a 'similar' name and they were well dodgy, I wonder if its the same one?

RE: History of locum agencies

Clive Ansell — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 12:05:38 GMT

There used to be a really dodgy one; can't remember the name off hand, but it was something like uncastrated male horse, oil drilling platform, or large articulated lorry ???

Are the still going?

RE: History of locum agencies

Robin Grimmer — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 10:54:53 GMT

Shona Hostler from Vet Connect has always been really good to me. She started out with Carlton Professional. Haven't had to use her for a while now as most of my work is repeat bookings/word of mouth.

Some of the other ones I won't mention send me details of jobs that are totally unsuitable eg wrong location, permanent rather than locum etc. Little better than spam!

RE: History of locum agencies

Bob Russell — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 10:29:33 GMT

But in the early days you could trust the locum agencies to provide you with what they advertised. If they claimed someone could take sole charge, they could or would be off the books within a blink of the eyes.

There were quality expectations and the charges were reasonable. I don't remember being let down by one.

Now I would not trust them further than I could throw them. We booked a locum early a few years ago but she 'injured her hand' months before she was due. Absolutely no help getting another locum.

I suspect they just got a better/longer/closer offer!

We avoid them like the plague but if someone knows of one that still has an ounce of ethics then I would be pleased to hear about them.

RE: History of locum agencies

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 12:37:01 GMT

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"]Rowena Paxman/Paxton has long since retired. [/quote]It was Rowena Paxton, she was married to Mike who was in my year at Liverpool. He tragically died young although I'm not sure of the circumstances and Rowena set up her locum agency shortly afterwards. I recall using her services in the early 1980s although I can't be precise so probably more than 25 years maybe nearer 35. I started using Dovetail run by Simon Bird fairly early on as well, maybe the 90s, again can't be precise but he retired a couple of years ago.

RE: History of locum agencies

Neil Wheadon — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 12:15:30 GMT

There were 2? 25 years ago if my recollection is right

Rowena Paxman/Paxton has long since retired. She would only take on a locum if she interviewed them and I passed The agency is still running and is a stalwart of the Vet Record

Julie started the Northern Locum agency

Wasn't it easy, you had a choice of 2.

Now the world and his wife has an agency

Neil