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Implications for employers of lifting Covid-19 restrictions
The government has published its COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021 (Roadmap) setting out the details of step 4 of the roadmap out of restrictions for England. The restriction are scheduled to be lifted on 19 July 2021. Hempsons' employment law team discuss the guidance.
The Charities Bill: What difference does it make to our charity?
The Law Commission has made a series of recommendations for legislative change to the Charities Act 2011 following extensive consultation.
What is your liability for repairs?
What type of surgery lease do you have and what is the extent of your repair liability? You need to know, or you could end up with a bill of destabilising proportions.
Make your merger magic – not manic
The last 12 months has seen practices working much more closely together to respond to the pandemic and to deliver the network contract DES in PCNs. Many practices, having seen the benefits of closer working, are now considering merging. In this article, Alison Oliver outlines some of the key issues to consider if you are thinking about merging with one or more other practices.
The Fundamental Standards – Staffing
In the latest in our series of articles on the CQC Fundamental Standards of Care, Philippa Doyle looks at Regulation 18 – Staffing.
The Fundamental Standards – Safeguarding
In this edition in our series of Fundamental Standards articles, we explore the Health and Social Act 2008 (Regulated Activates) 2014 regulation 13 – 'Safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment'.
New PPN Published: update to legal and policy requirements to publish procurement information on Contracts Finder
PPN 07/21 was published on 24 June 2021 and provides consolidated guidance that reminds public bodies of the requirements of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR) to publish information about opportunities and awards over certain low value thresholds on Contracts Finder.
Be prepared for the statutory COVID-19 public inquiry
Earlier this month NHS England told local NHS organisations that they must start preparing for the statutory public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic. Any organisation might be called upon to provide evidence for the statutory inquiry, and individuals may be required to give evidence under oath. Government said last month that a statutory public inquiry would begin in spring next year.
New PPN’s Published; National Procurement Policy Statement & Taking account of Carbon Reduction Plans
The fifth and sixth Procurement Policy Notes of 2021 have been published.
Staff problems after lockdown
Doctor employers face ongoing staff management challenges as lockdown restrictions ease. Lucy Miles and Isobel Davis highlight some areas needing consideration.
New Guidance on severance payments and approval for public sector employers
The government has published new guidance for the public sector on making termination of employment/severance payments to employees.
If in doubt – declare!
In the case of Dad v GDC, [2021] EWHC 1376 (QB), the Honourable Mrs Justice Collins Rice considered the issue of declarations to the GDC in an application for restoration to the register.
GPAR 2021 published. Is anything changing?
The Public Procurement (Agreement on Government Procurement) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/573) (GPAR 2021) have been published and will come into force on 11 June 2021.
When is a lease caught by the public procurement rules?
The Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) has recently considered the distinction between a lease (not caught by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR)), and a public works contract (that could be caught by the PCR if it is over the relevant threshold and not otherwise exempt).