General Practice partnerships are a cornerstone of primary healthcare, providing essential medical services to communities. A GP partnership is a business model where General Practice Partners share ownership, responsibilities, and profits of a medical practice. This collaborative approach allows for a diverse range of skills, experience, and resources, enhancing the quality of patient care.
Partnerships in General Practice
What is a General Practice Partner?
General practice in the UK has traditionally been run on a partnership model where practices are owned by the GPs themselves (GP Partners) and are subcontracted to provide services for the NHS. The GP Partners then take a share from the profit that the practice produces. As a partner, you will be responsible for the running of the practice and will be expected not only to provide clinical sessions, but also to play an active role in the administrative and business side of the practice.
Unlike salaried GPs, there is no set income range for GP Partners. A partner’s income is dependent upon both the finances of the practice.
Partnerships are not just for GPs
The changing nature of running a GP practice, with all its pressures and complexities, means that most GP partnerships recognise the need and benefit of having skilled managers supporting them.
While it is still relatively rare, it is becoming more common for non-GPs- such as nurse practitioners, business managers or practice managers – to be offered partnership.
Advantages of Partnerships
Control: GP partners have significant autonomy over their practice.
Stability and Continuity of Care: Partnerships often offer long-term stability for both doctors and patients. This continuity allows partners to establish a practice identity, build a cohesive team, and develop strong patient relationships.
Opportunity for Influence and Change: As independent practitioners, GP partners have the ability to advocate strongly for their patients and implement changes within their practice swiftly.
Financial Benefits
Considering a partnership?
The first step to becoming a partner is to gain the necessary skills and competencies to undertake the role. Training in leadership is an essential element as well as self-belief and commitment. Excellent communication skills are also vital.
Partners need the ability to think outside the box, push traditional boundaries and work hard.
As with any healthcare organisation, there are risks to personal finance, clinical governance and reputation when taking on a partnership. It is advisable to have some savings, medical indemnity insurance and an accountant.
General Practice partnerships offer both advantages and challenges, influencing how healthcare services are delivered and managed within a community setting.
Disadvantages of Partnerships
Commitment and Liability: Joining a GP partnership requires significant time and financial investment.
Self-Employment: GP partners are not employees but self-employed individuals. This status means they do not receive automatic benefits like sick pay, holiday pay, or paid parental leave unless explicitly stated in their partnership agreement, which varies between partnerships and requires mutual agreement among partners.
Clinical Work: GP partners typically engage in less clinical work
A full list of disadvantages can be found on the BMJ article
The Hub+ Partnership development programme
Recognising the decline in general practice partnerships in Derbyshire, we are dedicated to revitalising the region's primary care workforce. Our mission is to offer accessible, inclusive training, development, and support that empower colleagues to deliver exceptional quality care.
Why The Hub Plus?
We remain unwavering in our commitment to offer the Partnership Development Programme, a tradition we have upheld since 2021. Building upon the considerable success and positive feedback from recent years, we anticipate welcoming another cohort for 2024-25, with applications expected to open in autumn/winter 2024 for an early 2025 start. Continuously evolving, our programme now features updated content and a mix of in-person and virtual sessions, providing diverse opportunities for collaboration, networking, and mutual support as you progress towards partnership opportunities.
Successfully completed
67
Delegates have successfully completed the Partnership Development Programme since the programme has begun in 2021.
Topics with you in mind
Our comprehensive timetable explores a range of critical topics, ranging from the external environment and business management to leadership and
the future landscape of general practice. The combination of face-to-face and remote sessions enables a flexible and accessible learning experience,
fostering collaboration and networking among participants.
Likeliness of joining a partnership
73.4%
Of delegates said that they were more likely to join a partnership following on from the programme.
Based on stats from 2024 cohort.
Testimonial
" Interesting to discuss the future of partnership and the changing face of general practice, varied teaching on useful topics and the ability to discuss with colleagues in different areas for advice. "
Interested in our programme?
If you are from Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire and are interested in our Partnership development programme, and would like to ask any questions relating to our offer, please email ddlmc.thehubplus@nhs.net.
To keep up to date on our programme releases, we recommend you subscribe to our monthly newslettter: The Hub+ Newsletter and updates