Summer Planning Toolkit modules

Module 6: Staffing

Staffing

Staffing

Practices may close for a certain period of time over the summer holiday months, or be required to operate with fewer GPs and other staff. Practices in popular holiday destinations may also find an increase in patient numbers which can put strain on an already stretched workforce. 

If your practice is prepared for the summer months, you are more likely to provide effective continuity of care for your patients and continue operating your business as smoothly as possible. This may involve preparing an emergency management plan, COVID Safety plan and thinking about business continuity.

If your practice closes completely for a period over summer, it is important to communicate this widely with your patients. You may consider the following approaches:

  • widely publicising closure dates over email, social media and posters around the practice
  • identifying patients who may need a letter or phone call to notify them of the practice closure (for example older patients)
  • directing patients to other health facilities (ie after-hours GP services, the healthdirect hotline and emergency departments).

Advertising