Workload & Staffing Survey April 2020

by Louise Swinburne

A short survey was emailed to Practice Managers across the North East at the end April 2020, to determine if the Coronavirus is situation had had an effect on both their workload and their team, in addition to other factors that might affect staffing levels.

The survey offered the following key findings:

• 68% of Practice Manager’s indicated that their workload’s had increased at the outset of the Coronavirus pandemic. 75% noted that there the number of emails received more than doubled at the outset of the pandemic, some commented they had quadrupled.

• The workload of all other practice team members reduced at the outset of the pandemic with the exception of the Independent Pharmacy Prescribers, but once the current restrictions are lifted the view was that other team members workload will increase.
• Practice Managers have noted a 71% reduction in recorded patient contact with the practice.
• The pandemic was having an impact on staff holidays and the practice holiday policy, 57.6% indicated they have a policy requiring staff to take their holiday in the holiday year, and were encouraging staff to do so for their own well being, it was indicated that there is flexibility in relation to existing holidays and there is the possibility of discussion.