Dr Aidan Ward on locuming across New Zealand

Locuming can offer doctors a rare mix of clinical variety, professional growth, and lifestyle flexibility. For newly minted consultants, it’s also an opportunity to build confidence and skills, explore different hospital systems, and still prioritise life outside of work.

After returning from a few years overseas, Dr Aidan Ward transitioned into being an Anaesthetic Consultant in New Zealand and chose to take up locum roles across the country. The flexibility has allowed him to support stretched teams, sharpen his acute care skills, and reconnect with friends and family - whether that’s cycling in Hawke’s Bay, attending a wedding in Rarotonga, or simply making it home for the weekend.

We spoke with Dr Ward about what locuming has helped him achieve both professionally and personally.

Why did you become a doctor and tell me about your recent transition to Consultant?

I was a house surgeon in Whakatane before moving overseas to locum in Ireland for a few years and travel Europe. I trained in anaesthesia in the Midlands region on returning to New Zealand at the end of 2019 before COVID.

My time as a fellow made the transition to being a consultant feel natural and unremarkable.

What was your motivator for locuming?

• I did not want to go straight into a permanent SMO job, I wanted a period of time to gain some broad experiences and have some flexibility in work before settling into a full-time position in a public hospital later this year.

• To gain insights and challenge myself with the rapid adjustment required when working in multiple new hospitals.

• Although not as lucrative (relative to full time public) as historically in New Zealand due to the current health spend climate, there is flexibility and no long-term commitment required.

What about locuming has surprised you the most?

I didn’t realise how much work there was available at the moment, how short hospitals are both regional and metro. Colleagues are so grateful to have you there, I have always been greeted with friendly welcoming teams.

How has locuming enriched your lifestyle?

• I have become an acute anaesthetist, usually working in acute theatres as it is easier to slot in and out of. It has been helpful to learn to be adaptable and gain additional experience managing some of the sickest surgical patients in the hospital.

• The people I have met will remain contacts from all over the country for many years to come.

What sort of activities or travel have you been enjoying outside of work?

Having the flexibility to attend a wedding in Rarotonga as well as catching up with some friends and family in Australia.

Are there any locations you've locumed at that you particularly enjoyed?

I had some wonderful summer weeks in the Hawke’s Bay with a great team and enough light after work to get out and enjoy the excellent cycling and food/wine scene on offer.

Also arranged a few weeks in Christchurch which meant I got to spend a great chunk of time with my best friend and their new baby, I normally only get to see them a few times a year.

I hear you've been working at a variety of different hospitals over the past few months, what insights have you gained from these placements?

Meeting colleagues around the Motu has been valuable as is the comparison on different workflows, theatre layouts, call structures, support for trainees

There are good people who are very skilled and motivated towards delivery of excellent care everywhere I have been.

How does Medrecruit support you as a doctor, in general and with locuming?

• Debbie makes my life much easier. She enables outsourcing of all the administrative components. She has extensive organisational knowledge and contacts in departments around the country which makes arranging placements very easy.

• Debbie has an understanding about things that I am hoping to achieve and also lobbies for my preference to make it home to my family every weekend if I am not working at our home base.

• I value having a person who I always deal with and having a relationship about goals:

o appreciate the occasional check in

o appreciate swift responses

• All I need to do is fill out a timesheet the rest is arranged.

What's your advice for other doctors thinking about locuming?

There are definitely benefits in being able to make work fit around other commitments. Given the amount of work currently available in New Zealand this can also be arranged at short term with the team at Medrecruit.

Have you had any memorable experiences when locuming?

It has only happened at one hospital I was repeatedly assumed to be a new starting registrar on meeting people each day, it was a nice compliment!