A Day in the Life of a Locum General Medicine Consultant

Working as a Locum General Medicine Consultant is a fast-paced, varied and highly rewarding role within Ireland’s hospital system. From managing complex medical cases to supporting overstretched teams, no two days are ever quite the same. For consultants considering locum work, this snapshot of a typical day offers a realistic insight into what the role involves.

Starting the Day: Early Mornings & Handover

The day often begins early, usually around 7:30am, with a comprehensive handover from the night team. This is a crucial part of the day, providing updates on patient status, overnight admissions, deteriorations and any urgent priorities. As a locum consultant, quickly absorbing this information and identifying immediate risks is key to maintaining continuity of care.

Morning Ward Rounds

By 8:00am, ward rounds are underway. These are typically consultant-led and involve reviewing both acute admissions and longer-stay patients. You’ll assess progress, review investigations, adjust treatment plans and make decisions around escalation, discharge or specialist referral.

General medicine covers a wide clinical spectrum from respiratory and cardiac issues to infections, metabolic disorders and multi-morbidity in older patients. Strong clinical judgement and efficient decision-making are essential, particularly in busy acute medical units.

Mid-Morning Reviews & Diagnostics

As the morning progresses, attention turns to reviewing test results, imaging and specialist input. You may liaise with radiology, microbiology or other specialty teams to ensure timely diagnoses and treatment adjustments.

This part of the day often involves balancing competing priorities, reviewing new admissions, responding to referrals and supporting junior doctors with clinical guidance.

Patient & Family Communication

A significant part of the consultant role involves communication. Late mornings are often spent speaking with patients and families, explaining diagnoses, discussing treatment options or addressing concerns. Clear, compassionate communication is especially important in general medicine, where patients often present with complex or evolving conditions.

Afternoon: MDTs, Referrals & Acute Admissions

After a brief lunch break, afternoons may involve multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, particularly for complex cases or discharge planning. Collaboration with nursing staff, allied health professionals and social care teams ensures a holistic approach to patient care.

Depending on the hospital and rota, you may also be involved in acute admissions, offering senior decision-making support to the emergency department or acute medical unit. This can be one of the most challenging, but rewarding, aspects of the role.

Supporting Junior Doctors

As a locum consultant, you play a vital leadership role. Throughout the day, junior doctors may seek advice on diagnostics, treatment escalation or patient management. Providing mentorship and reassurance not only supports patient outcomes but also strengthens team morale, particularly in high-pressure environments.

End-of-Day Reviews & Handover

By late afternoon or early evening, final reviews are completed. This includes updating notes, confirming management plans and ensuring any outstanding issues are clearly communicated to the on-call team. A thorough handover is essential, especially in busy general medicine departments where patient turnover is high.

Why Choose Locum Work as a General Medicine Consultant?

Locum roles offer consultants greater flexibility, exposure to different hospital settings and the opportunity to maintain a strong work-life balance. Many consultants value the ability to choose when and where they work, while still playing a crucial role in delivering frontline care.

For those seeking professional variety, autonomy and competitive rates, locum work in general medicine can be an excellent career choice.