Business Continuity contractual requirements 31st July 2023

Colleagues are reminded that one of the contractual changes in 2023 aimed at reducing pressure on pharmacies was a requirement to have a business continuity plan (BCP) for unscheduled closures in place by 31st July 2023.

This is part of the “carrot and stick” approach to unscheduled closures which we believe originated from Essex, ie if a pharmacy is required to close for reasons beyond the contractor’s control no action will be taken provided all the required steps in a BCP are followed, however if a pharmacy closes and does not either have or implement its BCP then there may well be consequences. This is to reflect the impact on patients, prescribers and other pharmacies, rather than to put further pressure on a struggling pharmacy.

You will need to make sure that your team all know where the BCP is and who they need to contact in case your absence is the reason for the unscheduled closure.

Further details from the link below.
PSNC-Briefing-012.23-DHSCs-changes-to-the-Pharmaceutical-Regulations.pdf (cpe.org.uk)