Crossword Genius

Doctor discovered locum left first (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oculist

'doctor' is the definition.
(oculist is a kind of doctor)

'discovered locum left first' is the wordplay.
'discovered' says to take the centre (dis-covered - outer letters removed).
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'first' becomes 'ist' (ist resembles 1st).
The middle of 'locum' is 'ocu'.
'ocu'+'l'+'ist'='OCULIST'

(Other definitions for oculist that I've seen before include "Old-fashioned eye doctor" , "Pupils' examiner" , "Man of vision" , "Specialist in treatment of the eyes" , "Visionary healer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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