'Eureka moment' led to locum alert system

In a move which claims it will 'change the face of medical recruitment' two former Vision Express franchisees have started their own locum service utilising mobile phone texts. It works like this: locums register their occupation, location, and the dates they are available with a central database, using a secure online system. When an employer has a vacancy, they contact the service Ð called LocumRx Ð and the job details are immediately cross-referenced against all available professionals, who then automatically receive the information by SMS to their mobile phones. Husband and wife team Gordon and Susan Greig, former directors of four Scottish Vision Express outlets, have spent a year developing LocumRx after they had experienced persistent staffing issues with their retail optical franchise business. 'Staffing was one of the biggest challenges at Vision Express,' Gordon Greig told optician this week. 'It proved almost impossible to book someone suitable at short notice, without spending hours ringing medical professionals ourselves or employing expensive agencies, who didn't always get results. 'After years of trying to devise a viable alternative, we finally had a 'Eureka moment' about sending text messages.' The system, they claim, is highly accurate, and it alerts locums to the latest job opportunities in their chosen specialism and profession within minutes of a vacancy being announced. The process is free for locums, while employers are charged 12p per text, and the couple believe that makes it the fastest and cheapest recruitment option available for the profession. Susan Greig, a locum optometrist herself, helped devise the scheme after becoming increasing dissatisfied Ð although her work was in demand, sometimes she heard about the best jobs after they had gone, a scenario some locums know only too well. Gordon Grieg said that the system put the locum in control of the texts they received. 'They can keep up with the latest jobs, practically to the second, without being pestered by intrusive calls when they're consulting patients,' he said. 'It will save locums an awful lot of hassle, and save employers an absolute fortune.' This week the duo told optician their 'exclusive concept' although available to the optical profession first and foremost, was available also for GPs, pharmacists, dentists and even vets. They launched their Vision Express franchises in 1998 and awards from the multiple for their four outlets included 'Best store', 'Best Franchise Partner' and 'People Manager of the Year'. david.challinorrbi.co.uk