Urgent call for locum doctors in Australia and New Zealand

Covid-19 cases have been rising rapidly in both New Zealand and Australia, and so has the need for locum doctors.

As travel becomes restricted - the demand for local locum doctors to fill vacant short and long-term roles has increased. If you're available to help in any capacity - we'd love to hear from you. Find all the information you need to know about locuming during Covid-19 below.

“In New Zealand, all locums will still be going ahead," said Brendon Carian Country manager Medrecruit NZ. As you are an essential service you will be able to travel the country and go where the work is needed. “12-months ago we managed to get all locums to where they needed to be and back home again with little delays, so anticipate the same this time around.” Despite the country's current level 4 emergency status, hospitals still need locums and there has been an increase in demand.

**If you’re a doctor in New Zealand and are available to locum - here’s what you need to know: **

• All booked locums will still be going ahead and we will continue to receive further locum vacancies

• We may need to rebook some flights if cancelled but are currently looking at all options to get locums to where they need to be

• Expecting announcements on further flights from Air NZ in the next 24-hours.

• Currently booking all flights on Flexi Date in case of changes

• We provide travel letters for all doctors to get to where they need to be

• We monitor potential hot spots daily so we can help our doctors make informed and safety-conscious placement decisions

• Hospitals still need these locums and we will continue to have high demand

• We have a 24-hour hotline for any queries or concerns

In Australia, state closures mean that doctors are encouraged to take on work within their state. “If you have the capacity to work - we need you!” said Siobhan Mcdonald, General Manager at Medrecruit Australia.

There are lots of benefits of taking on locum work in your own state, not only are you helping the community but can structure your shifts around your lifestyle, which means there will be less disruption to your life.

There is a need for locums all over the country, if you’re moving outside your state we can apply for the necessary paperwork to facilitate your moving around and in certain circumstances where quarantine is required the hospital may cover the cost and even pay you for your time.

**If you’re a doctor in Australia looking to locum here’s what you need to know **

• During the current Covid-19 climate we have mostly been keeping doctors close to home to avoid risks of quarantine
• However, if doctors are wanting to travel for longer time periods we can facilitate this – talk to your Solutions Specialist to find out more information
• If they do need to quarantine, some hospitals have been paying for quarantine. In some cases, the doctor is also paid a salary whilst in quarantine
• We monitor potential hot spots daily so we can help our doctors make informed and safety-conscious placement decisions
• Hospitals still need these locums and we will continue to have high demand
• We have a 24-hour hotline for any queries or concerns

The Medrecruit team is on top of the ever-changing border restrictions and Covid-19 situations in both Australia and New Zealand. We've learned how to mitigate the risks, and make placements as seamless as possible for you during this pandemic.

If you have any capacity to help with locum cover - please get express your interest. Our team will work with you to make sure you are able to complete your placement and get home with as little disruption as possible.