To successfully deliver the General Dental Services (GDS) Contract, your practice must fulfil its NHS targets for the financial year by 31 March. Often this means that February and March will be a particularly busy work period, as the urgency to meet these targets becomes a priority for both dental associates and practices. To reduce this burden, you should consider ahead of time what events are likely to impact on the delivery of your NHS contractual obligation and plan work capacity accordingly. It is important not to overlook religious holidays from this process.
There are many different religious observances and festivals celebrated throughout the year. Over the next few years many of them with take place during the months leading up to the financial year end. The Hindu festival of Diwali will take place in November 2023, followed by the Jewish festivals of Hanukkah in December 2023. For Muslims, the religious observance of Ramadan, lasting 29 or 30 days (dependent on the lunar calendar) will take place from around 11 March to 9 April 2024, followed by Eid al-Fitr festival. The Christian festival of Good Friday and Easter Monday will fall on 29 March and 1 April, respectively. Most practices will also close for Christmas and New Year. These religious holidays will also coincide with school holidays, with spring half-term taking place from mid to end of February 2024 and Easter school break from the end of March. There is likely to be an increased number of competing requests for time-off and flexible working from associates and employees during this crucial period. Not all requests will be able to be accommodated.
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