Day Lewis Pharmacy has chosen Belfast-based company Locate a Locum as its preferred supplier for hiring and managing locum workers.

The multiple said it will use the platform across its 267 pharmacies to plan and manage staff rotas. Locate a Locum claims it “has already secured preferred supplier status with several of the UK’s largest pharmacy and optical organisations”.

Day Lewis executive director Sam Patel said: “We had an old, slow proprietary platform and we wanted something faster and more user-friendly that would allow more locums to book instantly rather than necessarily waiting for feedback on every single shift booked – and particularly for last-minute bookings.

“It’s a great communication tool between potential locums and our locum coordinators and it means we have more opportunities to bring some of the best locums in the country to come and work with us. Our customers are our number one priority and ensuring that they have the best staff and advice available when they need it is our priority too.”

Mr Patel said the partnership would help Day Lewis “pay our locums quickly, in time and in full”.

Locate a Locum chief executive Jonathon Clarke said: “Day Lewis Pharmacy is one of the UK and Europe’s biggest success stories and an award-winning employee-focused organisation that puts customers first and we’re delighted to be appointed to deliver an innovative, tech-rich solution that will support its continued growth ambitions.

“We worked closely with Sam and the team to meet their needs, ensuring efficiency, transparency and operational performance would assist in powering digital transformation and accelerating business growth.”