Summer might feel like a time to slow down, but in NHS recruitment, it's anything but quiet. June, July, and August are some of the busiest months of the year for locum demand across physiotherapy, and if you haven't registered yet, now is exactly the right time to do it.

Here's why the summer window matters more than you might think.

The NHS gets busy. Fast.
NHS trusts plan their staffing around the calendar, and summer always brings a surge in cover requests. Permanent physio staff take annual leave, MSK caseloads and rehab programmes still need to run, and patient demand doesn't pause for the school holidays. The result? A spike in short-notice locum bookings across musculoskeletal, respiratory, neuro, community, and outpatient physiotherapy settings.

Trusts have already started filling these gaps, and the pace only picks up through July and August. If you're registered and available, you're still well placed to get ahead of the rush.

It's also peak season for locum funding
With permanent physio staff taking annual leave and caseloads holding steady through the school holidays, many trusts release additional locum funding specifically to cover summer gaps. That creates a window where physio roles appear quickly and rates can be competitive, but it tends to move fast as services fill positions on a first-come, first-served basis.

Summer locum work fits around your life
One of the reasons so many physiotherapists love locum work is the flexibility, and summer makes that even more appealing. Whether you're looking to fill a gap between permanent roles, boost your income over the summer months, or simply try a new speciality or trust before committing, locum work gives you that control. You set your availability. You choose your locations. And with JustPhysio behind you, you've got a specialist recruiter who knows physiotherapy recruitment inside and out.

Don't wait until the last minute
If you register now, you'll be compliance-ready while summer demand is still at its peak. That means no delays, no missed opportunities, and no frustration of watching roles fill while you're still uploading documents.

What JustPhysio can do for you
We specialise exclusively in physiotherapy recruitment. It's the only thing we do. That focus means you get a consultant who understands your speciality, who knows which trusts are great to work for, and who will find the right role for you.

Whether you're a newly qualified physio taking your first locum steps, or an experienced clinician looking for a change of scene this summer, we'd love to hear from you.

Ready to make this summer count? Register with JustPhysio today and let's find you something great.