Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before using our services.
Within these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"), the following definitions apply:
a. "Agency" means StartLocum, a trading name of B12 Medical Ltd, located in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
b. "Client" means the individual, practice, or company — together with any subsidiary or associated company or organisation as defined by the Companies Act 2006 — for whom the services of the Locum are provided.
c. "Locum" means the individual introduced by the Agency or whose services are facilitated by the Agency for the benefit of the Client.
d. "Assignment" means the specific period during which the Locum is engaged to provide services to the Client.
e. "Platform" means the Agency's digital booking system, including the locum mobile application, client dashboard, and any associated online tools.
By registering with the Agency, using the Platform, or accepting any Assignment secured through the Agency, the Locum unequivocally agrees to these Terms and Conditions in full.
1.1 Use of the Platform — including downloading the app, creating a profile, or accepting a shift via the app — constitutes acceptance of these Terms. The Agency may update these Terms from time to time; the current version will always be accessible via the Platform.
1.2 No modifications to these Terms shall be valid unless agreed in writing by both parties. A copy of any varied Terms, stating the effective date, shall be provided to the Locum.
2.1 GPhC Registration: The Locum must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and remain in good standing at all times. Where the Locum is engaged in optical services, they must hold and maintain valid GOC (General Optical Council) registration.
2.2 Right to Work: The Locum must be a permanent resident of the United Kingdom or hold the necessary eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and all other applicable legislation. Foreign nationals must not have any passport entries indicating restrictions on their ability to work in the UK.
2.3 Professional Indemnity Insurance: Pharmacist and technician Locums must hold valid professional indemnity insurance at all times. The Locum is solely responsible for paying their own insurance premiums and ensuring adequate coverage before commencing any Assignment.
2.4 Compliance with GPhC/GOC Standards: The Locum shall practise in accordance with the Code of Conduct, Ethics, and Performance set out by the GPhC (or GOC where applicable) and comply with all prevailing healthcare, pharmacy, and optical legislation as relevant to their discipline.
2.5 Continuing Professional Development: The Locum must maintain an up-to-date record of their CPD programme in accordance with GPhC (or GOC) guidelines and provide details of their CPD activities to the Agency upon request.
2.6 Reporting Regulatory Issues: The Locum must inform the Agency immediately of any ongoing GPhC, GOC, or police investigations, or any disciplinary actions that might affect their registration status or ability to obtain Professional Indemnity Insurance.
3.1 The Locum is classified as a self-employed individual and is solely responsible for fulfilling their own tax obligations and National Insurance contributions.
3.2 The Locum is not an employee of the Agency and has no authority to act on behalf of or represent the Agency in any capacity.
3.3 The Agency bears no responsibility for the payment or collection of any fees owed to the Locum by a Client. In the event of payment difficulties with a Client, the Locum should notify the Agency promptly.
4.1 Professional Conduct: The Locum is expected to demonstrate professional conduct at all times, dress appropriately, and arrive and depart at the agreed times. Locum pharmacists are advised to arrive at least ten minutes before the scheduled start time.
4.2 Competence: The Locum must have the necessary confidence, skills, and qualifications to meet the Client's requirements, including in relation to Pharmacy Contract Essential Services (for pharmacy Locums) and GOC Standards of Practice (for optometrist Locums). If the Locum has any doubts about their ability to fulfil professional duties, they must inform the Client or their representative immediately.
4.3 Client Rules: The Locum shall adhere to the rules and regulations of the Client, including Standard Operating Procedures, Information Governance policies, and all health and safety requirements at the placement premises.
4.4 Duty to Disclose Unsuitability: If, prior to or during an Assignment, the Locum becomes aware of any reason why they may not be suitable for that Assignment, they must notify the Agency immediately.
4.5 Deviations from Agreed Times: Any changes to agreed break, start, or finish times must be communicated to the Agency before the Assignment commences, to allow investigation of any changes.
5.1 Acceptance: The Agency will seek suitable Assignments for the Locum based on their qualifications. The Locum retains the freedom to accept or decline any Assignment offered. Accepting an Assignment establishes a binding contractual agreement between the Locum and the Client, which the Locum is expected to honour.
5.2 Substitution: If the Locum is unable to fulfil a confirmed Assignment, they must make reasonable efforts to arrange a suitably qualified substitute and notify the Agency promptly. If a substitute cannot be found, the Locum must give the Agency sufficient notice to source a replacement.
5.3 Compensation for Non-Attendance: If the Client seeks compensation due to the Locum's failure to attend a confirmed Assignment, the Locum bears sole responsibility for meeting such compensation. The Agency accepts no liability for losses arising from Locum non-attendance.
5.4 Cancellation Policy: Emergency cancellations (within three working days of the shift) will be managed as follows:
First cancellation: a formal caution issued by the Agency.
Second cancellation: a formal warning
Third Cancellation: a 2nd warning
Fourth cancellation: permanent suspension from the Agency.
The Agency will take into full consideration any unavoidable circumstances or genuine emergencies. Where the Locum provides verifiable proof of an emergency, no disciplinary action will be taken. The Locum has the right to represent their case to the Agency before any suspension is applied.
6.1 Direct and Self-Bookings: The Locum is required to inform the Agency of all instances where a booking is made directly between the Locum and a Client introduced by the Agency, whether initiated by the Locum or the Client. This obligation applies regardless of the channel through which the booking is made (including WhatsApp, email, phone, or any third-party platform).
6.2 Liability for Withheld Bookings: Where the Locum's failure to notify the Agency of a direct or self-booking results in the Agency being unable to invoice or collect a fee it would otherwise have been entitled to, the Locum shall be liable to reimburse the Agency for the full value of that lost fee. The Agency reserves the right to recover this amount through any lawful means.
6.3 Direct Employment: If the Locum is directly employed by a Client following their last Assignment through the Agency, they must notify the Agency immediately. The Agency's Client Terms and Conditions contain a Release Fee provision; the Locum's notification obligation supports the Agency's ability to enforce this.
6.4 Contact with Clients: The Locum shall not contact any Client introduced by the Agency regarding booking or commercial matters without the prior knowledge and consent of the Agency. All necessary contact with Clients in relation to bookings should be made through the Agency.
6.5 Document Submission: Upon request, the Locum shall provide the Agency with copies of all documents necessary for compliance with UK Agency Regulations, applicable laws, and Client contractual requirements (including but not limited to GPhC/GOC registration certificates, indemnity insurance, and right-to-work documentation).
7.1 In the event that the Agency makes an administrative error that directly affects a confirmed Assignment — including but not limited to double-booking, incorrectly posted shift timings, or incorrect location details — the Agency's liability to the Locum shall be limited to the following:
A maximum of 2 hours' pay at the Locum's agreed hourly rate for that Assignment; and
Mileage reimbursement at 25 pence per mile for the journey to and from the placement, based on the most direct route.
7.2 No further compensation, loss of earnings, or consequential damages shall be payable by the Agency beyond the amounts set out in Clause 7.1.
7.3 To claim compensation under this clause, the Locum must notify the Agency of the error within 24 hours of the affected Assignment and provide reasonable evidence of the journey undertaken (including start and end location).
8.1 All information shared by the Agency regarding Clients, Assignment opportunities, rates, and platform data is strictly confidential and remains the property of the Agency.
8.2 The Locum agrees not to disclose any non-public information obtained through the Agency to any third party, by any means (including word of mouth, print, social media, or electronic communication).
8.3 The Locum must not share confidential information with other Locums or introduce another Locum to a Client without referring them through the Agency.
8.4 In the event of a confidentiality breach, the Locum agrees to indemnify the Agency against any losses, costs, or damages resulting from that breach.
Both parties will comply with all applicable data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. The Agency's full GDPR and Privacy Policy is available at www.startlocum.com.
10.1 The Locum agrees to use the Platform in accordance with these Terms and any guidelines issued by the Agency from time to time.
10.2 The Locum is responsible for maintaining the accuracy of their profile, including GPhC/GOC registration number, indemnity insurance details, and right-to-work status. The Agency reserves the right to suspend a Locum's Platform access where information is found to be inaccurate or out of date.
These Terms, and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with them, are governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales. Each party irrevocably agrees that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms.