Practice Business Continuity Plan Template

A complete business continuity plan template for GP practices covering IT failure, premises issues, key staff absence, and major incidents.

## GP Practice Business Continuity Plan

**Review date:** [Annual]

**Owner:** Practice Manager

**Approved by:** Partners

### 1. Purpose

This plan ensures [Practice Name] can maintain essential patient care services during business disruption events.

### 2. Risk Scenarios Covered

- **IT system failure** (clinical system, telephony, internet)

- **Premises loss or damage** (fire, flood, loss of utilities)

- **Key staff absence** (PM, lead GP, reception lead)

- **Utilities failure** (power, water, heating)

- **Major pandemic/mass illness event**

### 3. IT Failure Response

**Immediate actions:**

- Switch to offline/paper consultation record

- Print patient lists for the day before 8am (daily task — assign to lead receptionist)

- Activate manual prescription process

- Use mobile phones for urgent communications

**Recovery:**

- Contact EMIS/SystmOne helpdesk immediately

- Most issues resolved within 4 hours

- If >4 hours: contact ICB for support

### 4. Key Contact Directory

Include: EMIS/SystmOne support, ICB, NHS IT helpdesk, out-of-hours clinical cover, utilities emergency numbers, building owner/landlord

### 5. Staff Escalation Tree

[Practice Manager] → [Lead GP Partner] → [Deputy PM / Senior Receptionist] → [ICB Primary Care Team]

### CQC Note

This document is likely to be reviewed during Well-Led assessments. Ensure it is dated, reviewed annually, and that all staff know where to find it.