Remember Phil’s ‘Kung Flu Fighting’ blog two flu seasons ago? If only we knew then what we know now, maybe we’d have stockpiled even more toilet rolls as we fast approach meltdown in this new pandemic.

This time it’s a cousin of Olly MERS, or is it Olly SARS, that’s causing the global stock markets to crash in most areas except for gold and the producers of paper masks and alcohol gel.

Please don’t condemn me for trying to make light of this terrible situation; it really is a huge problem for us all, and as I write, Italy has gone into total lockdown, the whole country of around 60m people in quarantine, ROI has closed schools… How many other countries will follow suit?

Unless some miracle occurs, our practices will undoubtedly become victims in one way or another of COVID-19 and this will see an increased demand for our services, whilst staffing levels will reduce. So how can we at Practice Index help?

Firstly, our advice is to keep talking; the forum is alive with very useful advice so thank you to everyone for contributing.

Secondly, keep on top of the stacks of information available from central government, PHE or NHS E, most of which is changing daily.

Lastly, there are two new policies to support both management issues and those that you’re likely to come across from a staffing perspective:

• The Pandemic Management Policy [PLUS] has morphed from the Pandemic Flu Policy and throughout there is mention of COVID-19, with hyperlinked references to current doctrine.
• The Pandemic Staffing Policy [PLUS] will assist practices when it comes to considering what actions need to be taken when your staff become unwell, and what happens if we need to self-isolate. Throughout there are answers to those many HR questions that are being asked by each of our teams.

Of course, don’t forget the Infection Prevention and Control Policy [PLUS]. This continues to offer advice on decontamination, isolation and all those important things you could really do with putting your finger on if – or more likely when – your practice comes under COVID-19 attack!

Good luck to you all and stay safe!