What Are the Late Cancellation Fees for Practices?
This article covers cancellation fees when a practice cancels an entire booked shift before it starts. For situations where a shift is cut short after it has begun, see the related articles below.
Cancellation Window and Fees
When you cancel | Fee | What happens |
18 or more hours before shift start | ✅ Free | No charge. Booking cancelled at no cost. |
Less than 18 hours before shift start | 💰 100% of booking fee | Full day rate charged automatically. Locum receives full compensation. |
⚠️ The fee applies regardless of the reason The 100% cancellation fee applies even in emergencies if the cancellation is made less than 18 hours before the shift starts. If you are in an exceptional situation, contact the Airlocum support team via live chat as early as possible — the team responds in under 2 minutes. |
Why This Policy Exists
When a locum accepts a booking, they commit to that shift — often arranging travel, parking, and childcare, and turning down other work for that day. A late cancellation leaves them out of pocket with little time to find alternative cover.
The cancellation fee ensures locums are fairly compensated when a shift is cancelled at short notice. This also helps Airlocum maintain a network of reliable professionals who are willing to accept bookings with confidence.
How the Fee Is Processed
• The fee is charged automatically to your payment method — no manual action is needed.
• The locum receives the full day rate as compensation.
• You will receive a confirmation and invoice for the cancellation charge in the usual way.
💡 How to avoid cancellation fees Cancel at least 18 hours before the shift start time to avoid any charge. If your circumstances change, cancel as early as possible — even if you are still within the 18-hour window, earlier notice is better for the locum and helps preserve the relationship for future bookings. |
Related Articles
• Late Cancellation Fees (Locums)
• I Was Booked for the Full Day but Asked to Leave Earlier
• Shortened Shift
Last updated: March 2026 | Category: For Practices — Bookings & Cancellations