01 October 2026
Locum optometrists often face tough competition for bookings – particularly when starting out in an area that already has a strong locum workforce.
How can practitioners set themselves apart? And when they do secure a booking, how do they ensure that they are at the top of the list when another opportunity becomes available in the same practice?
OT spoke with two individuals responsible for hiring locums about the key qualities they look out for – and what they consider when deciding whether to invite a locum optometrist back to practice.
Focus on flexibility
Optometrist and practice owner, Simon Berry, shared with OT that the quality he most prizes in a locum optometrist is their ability to adapt to practice processes.
“We are becoming a very complicated industry. Every practice has its own patient management software, method of recording clinical notes, and way of communicating with GPs and local hospitals,” he observed.
“The most important attribute for a locum is that they are flexible,” Berry said.
When considering whether to book a locum optometrist again, he will take into account how well they have integrated into the practice.
“We are very much a community practice and the most important part of the job is to be able to engage with that community,” Berry shared.
“It might sound a bit silly, but I also think that the practice has a kind of a soul: it’s how we choose to treat people and the standards we set ourselves. We want like-minded locums and it’s that connection that would make me rebook someone,” the optometrist added.
Reflecting on the practical actions a locum can take to increase their chances of being rebooked, Berry shared that he values locum optometrists with a collaborative approach.
He would be unlikely to rebook a locum who spent all day in the testing room doing their own thing.
“It’s always much better to work with someone. The best locums are willing to listen, willing to learn new things and try and emulate the way the practice runs,” Berry observed.
The locums who are invited back time and time again are the ones who build trust quickly and leave a positive impression on both the team and patients
A well-rounded practitioner
As locum talent partner at the Hakim Group, Mark Robertson works across a network of independent practices supporting engagement with locums and the ongoing development of the Hakim Group’s locum strategy.
“A big part of my role is helping practices and locums get the most out of LocumHub. That means supporting practices with everything from training on the system, raising shifts and managing bookings, to connecting with great locum optometrists and dispensing opticians across the UK and Ireland,” Robertson explained.
Reflecting on key attributes he looks for in a locum optometrist, Robertson noted: “Clinical ability is obviously the foundation, but for our practices it's about much more than that.”
He reflected that the locum practitioners who are successful within the Hakim Group network are professionals who can quickly build rapport with both patients and practice teams.
“Strong communication, professionalism, reliability, and a positive attitude go a long way,” Robertson said.
He added each Hakim Group practice has its own way of working, so being adaptable and able to settle easily is a big advantage as a locum optometrist.
“Our practices really value locums who get involved, support the wider team and treat the day as more than just turning up to complete a clinic,” Robertson said.
Turning to factors that are considered when rebooking a locum, Robertson shared that Hakim Group practices often focus on the overall experience provided by a locum optometrist.
“Did the locum arrive on time? Did they communicate well with the team? Did they engage with patients and fit into the culture of the practice? Were they approachable, professional, and willing to adapt to the way that practice operates?” Robertson said.
“The locums who are invited back time and time again are the ones who build trust quickly and leave a positive impression on both the team and patients,” he emphasised.
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