Temporary Closures due to Unrest - Comms to Pharmacy, Optometry and Dental contractors - 06/08/2024Dear Colleague, We are sure you will be horrified and disappointed by the level of racism and violence that we have seen across the country over the last few days. On behalf the NHS in the West Midlands we would like to reassure you that the safety of staff and communities is of paramount priority and importance to us. Currently, leaders across the NHS and social care are working together with partners – including West Midlands Police - to continue to monitor, and respond to, the situation in our own region and beyond as it evolves. This is a fluid situation and we are aware that there is currently unrest in East Birmingham and Staffordshire. We would encourage practices to consider the decisions they might need to make to ensure that staff and patients stay safe. Contractors will be understandably concerned about their responsibilities to their staff and patients in these circumstances, and balancing this with their contractual responsibilities. Please be reassured that the Office of the West Midlands team, on behalf of ICBs, understand that you may encounter difficulties with providing services to patients and may not have the time to submit all the relevant documentation and to fully implement your business continuity plans, given these unusual circumstances. What we do ask of you is that if you are affected, then please ensure the safety of your staff and patients as a priority and do what you can to the best of your ability to comply with the regulatory requirements. Please follow any police guidance that police forces share with you. When you can, please advise us if you have been affected by any protests, the actions you have taken and how your services are being impacted. Please put in the subject of the email: Unrest impact and contact us through the relevant generic email inbox:
If you are a pharmacy that is unable to provide services, due to unrest, please update your Profile Manager NHS Profile Manager - NHS (nhswebsite.nhs.uk) If you are unable to do so, please contact the DoS within working hours via email to BCICB.wmdoslead@nhs.net and if outside of working hours by calling 0300 020 0363, so if necessary, patients can be advised of other local pharmacy services.
If you are a dental practice in Coventry and Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Birmingham and Solihull and Black Country ICBs, please contact the DOS on bcicb.wmdosleads@nhs.net to advise them if you are unable to provide services due to the impact of the protests. If you are a dental practice in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent and Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICBs, please update your answer phone message and direct patients in hours to the dental advice line or 111 for out of hours. Patients affected who require emergency treatment will need to contact 111 to access services if their usual practice is closed. We are deeply proud of our diverse communities across our 6 West Midlands ICB areas and thank you for all that you do to provide patient care and please keep safe. Kind regards Rebecca Rebecca Woods Head of Primary Care Commissioning
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