🏥 About LocumSmart

Built for healthcare. Built when healthcare needed it most.

LocumSmart was founded in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when UK community pharmacies faced unprecedented demand — vaccination programmes, surging patient numbers, and staff stretched thin. What began as vaccination-staff support has grown into a specialist healthcare recruitment agency, built on one principle: deliver the right healthcare professional, with the right skills, at the right time.

"We're not simply a recruitment agency. We're a healthcare staffing partner built around quality, communication and long-term relationships."
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150+ Independent UK pharmacies • 10,000+ vetted staff • Trusted by Tesco Pharmacy & Cohens Chemist
Est. 2020 · COVID-19 response
Built by listening to healthcare providers — not by automating around them.
Today: 150+ independent pharmacies, national pharmacy groups, GP surgeries and private healthcare providers across the UK.
Our story
Not built around technology. Built around listening.
Technology and AI now help us work faster — but great recruitment will always depend on people, experience and relationships.
Our story

LocumSmart wasn't built around technology. It was built by listening to healthcare providers.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacies needed more than extra staff — they needed reliable healthcare professionals who could adapt quickly to changing services while maintaining exceptional patient care.

Our journey began by supporting pharmacies with trained vaccination staff, before expanding into pharmacist, pharmacy technician and dispenser recruitment across the UK. As community pharmacy services evolved — from vaccination programmes to Pharmacy First, permanent pharmacy recruitment, GP surgeries and wider healthcare services — our focus never changed: understand exactly what every client needs, vet every candidate carefully, and deliver a service that leaves no loose ends.

Today, our recruitment, compliance, operations and administrative teams work together so every healthcare provider receives candidates who are not only qualified, but genuinely suited to the role and the organisation.

— The LocumSmart team

Our journey

Six years. 150+ pharmacies. The UK's largest pharmacy chains.

2020 · Year one

First independent pharmacy signs on — and never leaves.

Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting community pharmacies when they needed reliable staffing most. What began with one independent pharmacy has grown into long-term partnerships built on trust, quality and service.

2021–2022

Supporting pharmacies where recruitment was hardest.

Our reputation grew across Devon, Cornwall, Scotland and other hard-to-recruit regions, where healthcare providers needed dependable staffing support they couldn't get elsewhere.

2023

Portfolio exceeds 5,000 vetted healthcare professionals.

A growing candidate network meant faster response times, better workforce planning, and more staffing flexibility for clients across the UK.

2024

Growing partnerships with national pharmacy groups.

Consistent quality and service strengthened our relationships with independent pharmacies while expanding our work with national pharmacy organisations.

2025

Supporting Tesco Pharmacy and expanding nationwide.

A major milestone — our healthcare professional network passed 10,000+ vetted candidates across the UK.

2026 · Today

150+ independent pharmacies. National pharmacy groups. GP surgeries & private healthcare.

LocumSmart now supports independent pharmacies, national pharmacy groups including Tesco Pharmacy and Cohens Chemist, GP surgeries, primary care services and private healthcare providers across the UK.

How we work

Three things we don't compromise on.

✓

Deliver what we promise

Trust is built through consistency. When we commit to a shortlist or the right healthcare professional, we work relentlessly to deliver it — and keep you informed the whole way.

?

Ask the questions that matter

Every healthcare provider is different. We take the time to understand exactly what each client needs before introducing candidates — real conversations, not generic questionnaires.

★

Quality before quantity

We value your time. Rather than sending a stack of unsuitable CVs, we introduce candidates who genuinely meet the role — with quality, communication and long-term success in mind.

The team

Specialist teams. One shared commitment.

Behind every placement is a team of dedicated professionals delivering a seamless experience from enquiry through to placement.

Permanent Recruitment

Helping healthcare professionals secure rewarding long-term careers, and employers find the right permanent talent.

Temporary Recruitment

Fast, reliable locum and temporary staffing solutions for healthcare providers across the UK.

Compliance

Ensuring every healthcare professional is fully vetted, compliant and ready to work with complete confidence.

Operations

Client relationships and team management, keeping every placement running smoothly.

Administration

Managing documentation, onboarding and day-to-day support to keep every stage organised.

Social Media & Advertising

Connecting healthcare professionals with new opportunities while growing the LocumSmart brand.

Clinical Screening (ACT)

Every candidate for a permanent role is pre-screened by our experienced clinical screening staff before they reach you.

10,000+
Vetted UK healthcare staff
150+
Independent pharmacy clients
2020
Founded during COVID-19
6 yrs
Serving UK healthcare
2
Largest UK chains onboard

Want to talk to the team?

A 15-minute call. No commitment. Ask us anything about our process, our vetting, or whether we're the right fit for you.

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