I Combined OOH and Daytime GP Work: Here's What I Learned

I Combined OOH and Daytime GP Work: Here's What I Learned

For many GPs, career decisions are often presented as an either-or choice: work in daytime general practice or move into out-of-hours (OOH) care.

In reality, many doctors are choosing a blended approach.

Across Ireland, GPs are combining daytime practice with evening, weekend, and occasional overnight OOH sessions to create careers that offer greater flexibility, variety, and financial security. OOH work can be incorporated alongside part-time salaried roles, permanent practice commitments, and even academic or leadership positions.

But what does this look like in practice?

Here's what many doctors discover when balancing both.

Why I Decided to Try Both

Like many GPs, I enjoyed the continuity of daytime practice. Building relationships with patients, managing long-term conditions, and being part of a practice team were all aspects of the job I valued.

At the same time, I wanted more flexibility and the opportunity to increase my income without committing to additional daytime sessions.

Rather than replacing my current role, I decided to supplement it with occasional OOH shifts.

What started as an experiment quickly became a sustainable part of my working life.

The Benefits I Didn't Expect

More Variety in My Week

Daytime practice and OOH work involve different types of patient encounters.

During the day, much of my work focused on continuity of care, chronic disease management, and preventive medicine.

OOH shifts tended to involve more acute presentations and immediate decision-making.

Having both environments in my schedule helped keep my work interesting and professionally rewarding.

Greater Control Over My Time

One of the biggest advantages was flexibility.

OOH shifts are typically structured around defined sessions, making it easier to plan work around family commitments, travel, or personal interests. OOH opportunities are available through evening, night, weekend, and public holiday sessions depending on service requirements.

Instead of increasing my weekday workload, I could choose when and how often I wanted additional sessions.

Additional Income Without Full-Time Commitments

Many GPs look at OOH work as a way to supplement earnings without taking on another permanent role.

The additional income was helpful, but what mattered most was the ability to decide when I wanted that extra work and when I needed time off.

The Challenges Are Real Too

Combining two roles isn't simply about increasing earnings.

It requires careful planning.

Recovery Matters

The biggest lesson I learned was that rest cannot be treated as an afterthought.

An evening session after a busy clinical day may seem manageable occasionally, but doing it too frequently can quickly become unsustainable.

OOH work should be scheduled carefully, particularly when overnight or weekend commitments are involved, to support long-term workload sustainability.

Learning to Say No

One of the dangers of flexible work is taking on too much.

When shifts are available and demand is high, it can be tempting to keep saying yes.

Over time, I found that being selective helped me maintain the balance that attracted me to OOH work in the first place.

Who Benefits Most from a Blended Career?

In my experience, combining OOH and daytime work can work particularly well for doctors who:

• Want greater flexibility without leaving practice altogether
• Are building a portfolio career
• Have teaching, academic, or leadership interests
• Are transitioning between roles
• Want additional earning opportunities without increasing daytime commitments

Many doctors combine OOH sessions with part-time salaried positions, permanent practice work, and other professional interests as part of a broader career structure.

My Advice to Other GPs

If you're considering OOH work, start small.

Try a manageable number of sessions and assess how it fits with your existing commitments.

Pay attention to:

• Energy levels
• Recovery time
• Family and personal commitments
• Travel requirements
• Long-term sustainability

The goal isn't simply to work more; it's to create a working pattern that supports both your career and your wellbeing.

For many GPs, the right balance isn't choosing between daytime practice and OOH work. It's finding a combination that delivers the professional fulfilment, flexibility, and lifestyle they're looking for.

Explore Flexible GP Opportunities with Locumotion

Whether you're looking to supplement your current income, create a more flexible schedule, or explore new career opportunities, Locumotion can help you find OOH and daytime GP roles that fit your goals.

As Ireland's only doctor-led GP recruitment organisation, Locumotion supports doctors across a network of 400+ practices and places more than 350 GPs annually in locum, contract, permanent, and out-of-hours roles.

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