Workforce planning in primary care is rarely straightforward. Many practices reach for locum support first when gaps appear, while others prioritise building permanent teams. The reality is that resilience comes from combining both.
With rising patient demand and tighter budgets, practices that succeed are those that strike the right balance between flexibility and stability.
The challenge with relying only on locums
Locums are essential to keep services running during staff absences or surges in demand. But when locums are the only solution, practices face issues such as:
- Higher costs when relying on last-minute cover
- Instability in rotas that change week to week
- Handover gaps that affect continuity of care
Locums should be part of the solution, but not the whole picture.
The importance of permanent staff
Permanent clinicians offer long-term stability and help to embed a strong team culture. They bring:
- Continuity for patients, improving trust and outcomes
- Predictable costs compared to fluctuating agency spend
- A stronger core workforce that reduces reliance on emergency cover
This stability is what allows practices to plan strategically for the year ahead.
Why practices need both
Relying only on permanent hires leaves little room for flexibility. Relying only on locums drives up costs and instability. The strongest teams are built with a blend of both.
- Locums provide agility when gaps appear.
- Permanent staff provide the foundation of care and continuity.
- Together, they create a workforce model that is cost effective, resilient and responsive to patient need.
How Vela Medical Group supports both
At Vela Medical Group, we provide practices and PCNs with access to both locum and permanent staff. Our consultants each have more than ten years of primary care experience, which means we understand how to build balanced teams that last.
Whether you need immediate cover or a long-term hire, we can help you strengthen your workforce today and prepare for tomorrow.
If you are considering locum or permanent recruitment this year, we can help you create a more resilient, cost-effective team.
