Practical psychiatry: Providing temporary psychiatric cover.

There is limited peer-reviewed advice available on providing safe and effective temporary psychiatric consultant cover for patient care. We suggest a framework for reviewing the potential hazards and benefits of a temporary post, and planning for the role, guided by consideration of the following: caring for patients, supporting staff, working with peers, and understanding local healthcare systems and the local regulatory environment. Application of this reflective framework is informed by the psychiatrist's assessment of the temporary role, and consideration of the local service conditions.