Pharm-Assist® began by supplying locum pharmacists, dispensers, and technicians to community pharmacies, and we remain a trusted partner for independents, regional groups, and the UK’s largest multiples.

But pharmacy doesn’t stop at the high street. From GP dispensing practices to hospitals, prisons, care homes, and online services, our network covers every setting where reliable staff are needed.

Wherever you deliver medicines or pharmacy-led services, we can provide skilled locums to keep your service running smoothly.

Our Services

We supply to:

  • Trusted cover for the high street.
    Pharm-Assist has been supplying community pharmacies with reliable locum pharmacists, dispensers, and technicians for over 25 years. Whether you’re an independent, a regional group, or a large multiple, we understand the demands of community practice and ensure you have the right staff in place, even at short notice.

  • Support where primary care meets dispensing.
    We provide GP surgeries with skilled locum dispensers, technicians, and pharmacists who understand the unique needs of in-practice dispensing. Our team helps maintain continuity of care, reduce backlogs, and ensure safe medicines management for patients in rural and semi-rural communities.

  • Locums for secondary care environments.
    Hospital pharmacy requires precision, speed, and specialist knowledge. We supply NHS trusts and private hospitals with locum pharmacists and technicians experienced in ward-based services, aseptics, oncology, and clinical screening. With Pharm-Assist, your teams stay supported, and patients continue to receive safe and timely treatment.

  • Experienced staff for secure environments.
    Delivering healthcare in prisons demands resilience and discretion. Pharm-Assist supplies vetted locum pharmacists and dispensers who are security-cleared and adaptable to the unique demands of secure settings. We help prison healthcare providers maintain safe, compliant medicines management without disruption.

  • Flexible cover when patients can’t wait.
    From walk-in centres to urgent care hubs, we provide locum pharmacists and technicians who can work flexibly and responsively. Our staff support your teams during evenings, weekends, and unscheduled demand, ensuring patients continue to access vital medicines when they need them most.

  • Safe medicines management for vulnerable residents.
    Care providers rely on accurate medicines handling and regular reviews. We supply locum pharmacists and technicians who can support with MAR charts, audits, and medication reviews, helping you remain compliant and safeguard resident wellbeing.

  • Staffing for digital healthcare.
    As more patients turn to online pharmacies, reliable staff remain essential. We supply locum pharmacists, dispensers, and accuracy checkers with experience in hub-and-spoke models, remote dispensing, and high-volume digital workflows. With Pharm-Assist, your patients receive safe, efficient service, online and at scale.

  • Pharmacy professionals beyond the counter.
    Pharm-Assist also connects organisations in research, teaching, and industry with skilled locum pharmacists. From supporting clinical trials to lecturing pharmacy students, we provide professionals who bring specialist knowledge and flexibility to projects outside traditional patient-facing roles.

Two colleagues, a man and a woman, smiling and high-fiving each other in an office with sunlight streaming through open windows, a laptop, papers, and office supplies on the desk.

About Pharm-Assist®

We are a family-run agency with over 25 years’ experience in pharmacy staffing. Founded in 1997, we’ve built long-standing relationships with pharmacies, GP practices, hospitals, and healthcare providers across the UK. Our mission is simple: to connect trusted locums with the organisations that need them, ensuring safe, reliable patient care every time.

  • We understand that when you reach out for locum cover, it’s because patient care can’t wait. That’s why we’re committed to providing professional, qualified staff you can depend on whether it’s short-notice cover or a long-term arrangement. We pride ourselves on being responsive, approachable, and consistent in everything we do.

  • Our dedicated team takes the time to understand your needs, your patients, and your way of working. From managing urgent cover to coordinating regular bookings, we remove the hassle from staffing so you can focus on delivering excellent healthcare. You’ll have a direct point of contact, backed by a team who know your area and can act quickly.

    • Experience you can trust: Over two decades of supporting pharmacy staffing across the UK.

    • Personal service: We’re family-run and hands-on, offering you a level of care large online agencies can’t match.

    • Wide network: Access to a large pool of locum pharmacists, technicians, and dispensers.

    • Flexibility: From single shifts to long-term cover, we tailor our support to your requirements.

  • We believe in straightforward pricing with no hidden fees. Our booking charges are clear and agreed upfront, so you’ll always know exactly what you’re paying for. And with our no booking, no fee policy, you can be confident that working with Pharm-Assist® is completely risk-free.

With Pharm-Assist®, you get more than a locum; you get a partner in patient care.

Frequently asked questions

  • Our booking fee covers far more than simply matching you with a locum. It includes the full service and support we provide to make sure your shift runs smoothly:

    • Direct outreach to locums - we don’t just post shifts, we actively contact suitable candidates.

    • Written booking confirmations so everything is clear and documented.

    • Shift reminder notifications to locums to reduce the risk of no-shows.

    • Compliance checks (right-to-work, registrations, qualifications) so you only get fully verified professionals.

    • Negotiating rates on your behalf to secure the right candidate.

    • Handling cancellations and replacements quickly, should anything change.

    • Ongoing support during the booking - if issues arise, our team is available to resolve them immediately.

    • Payment support - us handling payroll (upon request)

    • Relationship management - we learn your preferences and can arrange repeat bookings with locums you prefer.

    In short, the booking fee ensures you’re not just getting a locum, you’re getting a full staffing solution with less admin, more reliability, and complete peace of mind.

  • We can often arrange same-day locum support for urgent requests. For planned absences, we recommend booking in advance to guarantee availability.

  • We provide pharmacists, dispensers, and pharmacy technicians across community pharmacies, GP practices, hospitals, prisons, care homes, urgent care, and online providers.

  • Yes. We supply locums into GP dispensing practices, NHS and private hospitals, prisons, out-of-hours services, care homes, and digital/online pharmacies.

  • We operate on fair, transparent pricing with a clear booking fee. With our no booking, no fee promise, you only pay when cover is worked.

  • No. Unlike some agencies that add surcharges for urgent cover, Pharm-Assist keeps things simple and fair. Our booking fee remains the same regardless of urgency - whether you book a locum months in advance or at the last minute.

    That means you get peace of mind knowing there are no hidden costs and no surprises on your invoice - just straightforward, reliable cover when you need it.

  • Absolutely. If both parties agree, we’re happy to arrange repeat bookings so you get consistency and continuity for your patients.

  • If a locum needs to cancel, our team will immediately reach out to our network to try and source a replacement as quickly as possible. We’ll do everything we can to minimise disruption and keep your pharmacy services running smoothly.

    However, while we work hard to fill every gap, we cannot guarantee that a replacement will always be available. We’ll keep you updated throughout the process so you know exactly where things stand.

  • Booking platforms list your shifts - but at Pharm-Assist, we go much further:

    • Active promotion: We don’t just leave your shifts online. We share them through WhatsApp, Facebook, and direct outreach to suitable locums.

    • Personal matching: We contact locums individually based on their skills, location, and rate preferences to secure the best fit.

    • Shift management: We send reminders, chase confirmations, and handle cancellations or replacements on your behalf.

    • Compliance checks: Every locum is fully verified before placement, saving you time and risk.

    • Admin support: We manage all the back-and-forth and confirm bookings in writing.

    • No booking, no fee: Unlike platforms, you only pay once cover is worked - no wasted spend on unfilled shifts.

    With Pharm-Assist, you’re not just getting a team to post shifts online - you’re getting a proactive partner who is dedicated to filling your vacancies.

  • Yes. We have locums across the UK, including rural and semi-rural locations. If we don’t already have someone nearby, we’ll promote your shift directly to our wider network of locums who frequently ‘stay away’ for work.

  • Unlike platforms that only list shifts, we actively promote and match your vacancies with suitable locums. With our no booking, no fee model, you only pay for cover once it’s worked - making it cost-effective and risk-free.

  • Temporary staff give you the flexibility permanent contracts can’t always offer. With locums, you can:

    • Cover peaks and gaps - whether it’s annual leave, sickness, or seasonal demand.

    • Avoid long-term commitments - no ongoing salary, pension, or employment costs when cover isn’t needed.

    • Control your budget - pay only for the hours worked, with no hidden overheads.

    • Maintain continuity of service - even at short notice, so patients aren’t left without pharmacy care.

    • Test the waters - many clients use locums as a way to find the right fit before offering a permanent role.

    • Access specialist skills - bring in locums with experience in areas like hospital, prison, or online pharmacy when you need it.

    In short, locums give you flexibility, cost control, and peace of mind - making them the ideal solution when you need reliable cover without a permanent commitment.