COVID-19 Update – 9th June 2020
Just a very short digest today, and a ‘return to practice update special’.
As we come closer to the next phase of the return to practice there is a lot to consider around the business planning matters involved. With no Scottish Covid-19 deaths in the last 48 hours we could be excused for a degree of optimism that the recovery is on it’s way. Let’s hope the protests over the weekend are not the catalyst for another outbreak and we can look forward to a rapid return if possible.
We are looking forward to walking through the various stages of the return in our webinar this evening at 7pm. As part of our ‘Bounce-back higher’ program we will be running our webinar entitled – ‘Business planning for the phased return’ tonight (Tuesday 9th June) at 7PM – Book here
Places are almost full so I recommend that if you wish to attend that you book swiftly. When we hit the limit we will maintain a waiting list and record the webinar for anyone who cannot attend (technology permitting). So even if you cannot make it along you might wish to receive a recording by registering.
Flexible Furlough Protection Measures
As I highlighted in my last digest the new Flexible Furlough Scheme will launch from the 1st of July and run until the end of October. To allow you to rotate your full team you need to ensure you have furloughed everyone at least once for 3 weeks before the 1st July or potentially miss out on vital flexible support in the phased return. Therefore anyone not furloughed previously should be added to furlough by the 10th of June (this Wednesday) at the very latest.
You should ensure you undertake the furlough in line with the existing rules and have it confirmed in writing. I share a possible template you may use for the approach;
Flexible furlough template
NHS Update
The CDO has issued a further update this afternoon which I can share below.
CDO Update Phase 2 – 8 June 2020
There is not a huge amount of new information contained within the document, but it does confirm that the revised SDR should be in issue shortly which will be helpful for clarification purposes. It also confirms that the current support package will remain in place throughout phase 2 of the return regardless of activity levels or re-opening date. My interpretation of that statement is that there is a clear recognition that the commercial return from the reduced activity levels will require ongoing support for viability to be achieved. Clearly this still provides no additional support for the fully private practice or private element of a mixed practice. The SDR is to be largely used for monitoring purposes during this time rather than seen as a directly linked financial input.
Around two thirds of English practices did not open today as they were deemed not to be in a state of readiness. I think the CDO may have been implying that if any Scottish Practices choose to defer their re-open date in phase 2 that they will not be penalised financially for that decision.
Usefully, I was happy to note, that the CDO has also aligned the indexing of the phasing stages to match the Scottish Government road map index. This helps to avoid at least one confusion, even if it does mean I now have to re-write my slides for tomorrows webinar….
We look forward to some major updates on the SDR via a PCA in the days ahead.
Once again love and best wishes to you at this time from all the team at Dental Accountants Scotland. I hope you manage to stay safe and well.
As a recurring reminder – our full team are now working remotely but ready and willing to continue to do all we can to support you in any way possible. Please accept my ongoing apology for any delayed reply to your emails while we work harder than ever to support you during this crisis. The level of correspondence required has severely tested my words per minute typing skills! For any urgent queries you may have please continue to call my mobile 07375 700468 (day or night) or book a zoom online consultation here and I will be glad to support you in anyway. Our no fee advice is available to you at this time and we will do all we can as part of your team.
I invite you to keep up to date with information our blog and to like our Facebook page to stay in touch.
Stay safe and look after yourself and all around you at this difficult time.
