Getting started

Download and install

1. Download LocumBook from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Open the app. The first screen is Start fresh.
3. Tap Continue — new setup, or Returning user if you already have a backup or account.

First-time setup

Welcome to LocumBook explains that setup takes about 2 minutes and that most steps are optional. Tap Let’s get started. You can skip later steps and finish them in Settings.

1. What should we call you? — First name is required. Last name and Home postcode are optional. The postcode is only used to estimate mileage. Tap Continue.
2. What kind of locum are you? — GP, Doctor (hospital / other), Nurse, or Pharmacist. You can add a GMC number, NMC PIN, or GPhC number. Change this later in Settings.
3. Pension depends on that choice:
   • GP: Do you pension your locum income? Choose Yes — I pension my locum income or No — I don’t pension locum income. Yes continues to Pension details (GMC and scheme fields). Tap Save & continue, or Skip pension details for now.
   • Doctor, nurse, or pharmacist: an explainer titled NHS pension for doctor locums, NHS pension for nurse locums, or NHS pension for pharmacist locums. LocumBook does not generate GP Form A and Form B for these professions. Tap Continue or Skip.
4. Workplaces and booking sources — add workplaces and choose the platforms that book you. Tap Save & continue, Continue, or Skip — I’ll finish this in Settings.
5. Bring existing data across? — optional Import a spreadsheet (CSV, Pro) or Connect a booking calendar (Lantum, Google, Apple, Outlook, Pro). Tap Continue or Skip — I’ll do this in Settings.
6. Invoice & payment details — letterhead, bank details, and payment terms. Tap Set up invoice details or Skip — I’ll add this in Settings. Custom invoice templates need Pro.
7. Protect your finances — app lock with biometrics or the device PIN. Tap Enable & continue or Continue. If the device has no screen lock, the screen is App lock and the button is Open phone settings (or Continue without app lock).
8. Session reminders — switch Enable session notifications, then Enable & continue or Continue. Or Skip — I’ll set this in Settings.
9. You’re all set — Next steps lists Log your first session, plus anything you skipped: Add invoice & payment details, Add a workplace, Choose booking sources, or Add your home postcode. Tap Go to dashboard.

Log your first session

1. Tap Add session on the dashboard, or Log session on the Sessions tab. The screen title is Log session.
2. Choose the workplace and a session type. Enter hours and hourly rate — total fee fills from hours × rate (you can override the fee). Set defaults in Settings → Data management → Session types & pay and Workplaces.
3. Add one-way mileage and extra costs (parking, tolls, or other) if they apply.
4. Tap Save session. The dashboard updates from that save.

Sessions and Calendar cover the fields, filters, and swipe shortcuts.

Returning users

On Start fresh, tap Returning user. Welcome back offers:

• Restore from encrypted backup — opens the restore flow for a .lbkbackup file. You can also do this later from Settings → Data management → Encrypted backup and tap Restore from backup.
• I had a LocumBook account — sign in with the same Apple or Google account. Pro follows that account. To copy session data across devices, turn on Back up my data under Cloud backup (Backup and sync).
• Restore App Store purchases or Restore Google Play purchases on this screen. The same action is Restore purchases in Settings after you are in the app. See Pro and subscription.