ASHCROFT LEADS
- Doctor: Dr Sudhir Krishnan
- Nurse: –
- Admin: Chris Rushton
DATE REVIEWED:
Nov 2023
DATE OF NEXT REVIEW:
Nov 2024
Introduction
This is an addition to the main practice business continuity plan, trying to deal with the effects of severe weather. The practice does not provide an emergency service, rather routine appointments within 2 working days, however as an extra we do aim to deal with those patients needing an “on the day GP input” to assist not increasing the work load of those NHS areas that do provide emergency/urgent services.
It should also be recognised that severe weather not only affects the mobility and health of patients, but the ability of staff to attend work, access to locum GPs etc.
The Policy/Protocol
In severe weather, staff should still try to attend work, those not able to will be accounted for as leave unless they complete @ home working.
- If severe weather starts during the working day, consider sending home those staff that is furthest away, subject to remaining cover of doctor and reception.
- Identify doctor and reception cover that can stay till the end of our opening hours. If need to close early, the bank holiday message can be put on the phones by Admin, bring later patients in early, NOTE if any key delivery – INFORM cold chain Thursdays!
- Stop back room functions, prioritise to reception, Clinical cover.
- Staff near surgery but off duty, could be asked if able to attend for work.
- Cancel all routine, focus provision to on the day patients by clinical requirements.
- 1st Doctor in surgery to be the telephone triage emergency doctor.
- Those doctors in the practice to see patients that have attended in order rather than booked surgery lists.
- Home visit requests are already telephone triaged.
- Identify staff that might have 4×4 ability to assist others into & home, for visits etc.
- Stock Stores should last at least 2 weeks.
- Identify with Lab how to manage any lab specimens still taken.