Table 1 Information requirements revealed by the interviews

For locum doctors:

For speciality managers:

Speciality required

Speciality of applying doctor

Grade requirements

Grade of applying doctor

Duration of post

Availability of doctors

Who to report to

Doctor contact details

Access to hospital buildings/wards

Photo of person booked for shift

Whereabouts/map of hospital

Pre-employment checks

Access to patient records

Previous quality issues

Hourly rates and payment methods

Knowledge of the real market rate