Practice staff may need to review and update their human resource management plan when new information about the pandemic becomes available. This may be due to changes in the level of severity of the pandemic, increased demand for services, and practice circumstances. Practices should assign a dedicated staff member to oversee work rosters and manage risks to staff health and wellbeing.
Medical staff may have a higher infection rate than the general population. Infection of staff may lead to further infections of their family members. In a ‘mild’ pandemic there may be little absenteeism. However, when faced with a ‘severe’ pandemic, staff may decide to retract their offer to work during a pandemic.
If a surge is expected and additional staff are required (including volunteers), contact your indemnity insurer for temporary coverage of GPs and staff members.
If the response to the pandemic requires staff to work more hours than usual, exhaustion and burnout may occur. Practice managers may consider shorter, more frequent shifts or increasing days off in between shifts.