Covid-19: BMA guidance on furlough for GPs and GP practices

The BMA has updated its Covid-19 toolkit for GPs and GP practices to include advice on furloughing staff.

They state that:

“Furloughing staff

The key to whether the Coronavirus job retention scheme applies to GP practices is public funding; the rules and regulations do not specifically exclude organisations that are in receipt of public funding, but rather states they are not expected to furlough staff.

As a general rule, if the funding that is used to employ staff members is maintained, as is the case for GMS funding for general practice, then furlough will not be permitted. Where the funding has been reduced or halted, and there is a direct impact on the employment of staff, then practices may be able to furlough their staff.

Shielding and self-isolating staff
The scheme provides that you can claim for furloughed employees who are shielding in-line with public health guidance, or need to stay at home with someone who is shielding.

GP practices should however check the criteria carefully to see if they meet them, if so, the advice from HMRC is that they can use it in the same way as any other organisation.

However, if the funding that supports the employment of that member of staff is being maintained practices are expected to continue to pay at full pay.”

Source: This information is correct as at the 21/04/2020 and has been taken from: https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/covid-19/practical-guidance/covid-19-toolkit-for-gps-and-gp-practices/redeploying-staff-working-in-hubs-and-furlough

You can also find the complete toolkit here.

What can we do to help you?

MHA Moore and Smalley has a specialist healthcare team who work with a number of GPs and medical practices.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we appreciate that the sector is under extreme pressure to efficiently run some essential financial functions. We are able to provide temporary support to relieve the burden where possible and deliver finance functions which may have previously been done in house. Examples of this include;

  • Preparing management accounts
  • Maintaining the practice’s financial books and records
  • Assisting with VAT returns
  • Cash flow planning
  • Payroll services