Business continuity planning –its importance underlined

The National Health Service is frequently a topic of debate in the media, and is – as we all know – under increasing pressure to address legislative and environmental needs, and to identify financial savings in the process. The Government, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England, are placing unprecedented and increasing pressure on directors and senior managers within estates and facilities departments, who already facing escalating financial challenges to meet targets and identify cash-releasing efficiency savings (CRES), despite an increasing number of visitors to their facilities, NHS Confederation 2017 data indeed indicates that the UK healthcare sector sees more than one million patients every 36 hours. Inevitably, therefore, any interruption to business continuity carries financial implications, which we would argue can be avoided through business continuity plans. 

What is ‘business continuity’?

Business continuity is the ability of an organisation to maintain essential functions during, as well as after, a disaster has occurred. Business continuity planning establishes risk management processes and procedures that aim to prevent interruptions to mission-critical services, and re-establish full functioning to the organisation as quickly and smoothly as possible. This article is intended to provide guidance to estates personnel involved in the management and operation of a Trust’s Estates and Facilities services.