General Practices taking a break over the Christmas period and continuity of care for your patients!

Temporarily closing a General Practice during the festive season requires careful planning to ensure patients and staff are well-informed and essential services are maintained.

• Have you thought how your practice can offer continuous and comprehensive care for your patients?
• Do you have an agreement with another Practice / Practitioner to look after your patient results?
• Do you have in place an agreement with an after-hours service that your patients can access?

Here are some guidelines to help you manage the closure smoothly:

1. Notify Patients Early: Inform patients about the closure dates well in advance. Use multiple channels such as emails, text messages, social media, and notices in the practice.
2. Update Voicemail and Website: Change the voicemail message and update the practice website with closure information, including emergency contact details and reopening dates.
3. Emergency Contact Information: Provide clear instructions on how patients can access emergency care during the closure. This might include contact details for local hospitals, urgent care centres, or an on-call doctor.
4. Staff Communication: Ensure all staff members are aware of the closure dates and any on-call responsibilities. Provide them with a checklist of tasks to complete before the break, such as securing patient records and turning off non-essential equipment.
5. Prescription Management: Remind patients to request repeat prescriptions in advance to avoid running out of medication during the holidays.
6. Security Measures: Ensure the practice is secure by setting alarms, locking doors, and informing security services of the closure dates.
7. Automated Responses: Set up automated email responses to inform patients of the closure and provide alternative contact information for emergencies.
8. Post-Closure Plan: Have a plan in place for handling any backlog of appointments or administrative tasks when the practice reopens.

RACGP guidelines for continuous care and follow up systems will help to navigate your responsibilities in your closure period.

Please see below relevant indicators for the Standards for general practice:

• Criterion GP2.1 – Continuous and comprehensive care
• Criterion GP2.2 – Follow up systems

If your practice would like support in implementing the Standards for general practices, please contact practicesupport@cesphn.com.au