Doctors & Dentists

The successful running of GP and dental practices requires today's professionals to be business people as well as dentists and doctors. Even a partnership agreement, such as other professionals have will be radically different for each profession. GPs and dentists are also subject to the professional requirements of the GMC or GDC and compliance with the terms of their contract with the PCT. The Quality and Outcomes Framework has provided substantial increases in incomes for GPs in the recent past, but these are challenging times as the government varies the indicators from time to time in order not only to focus attention on specific areas such as diabetes but to claw back money committed in previous years under the GMS contract. For dentists, the introduction in 2006 of UDAs has radically changed not only the basis of their remuneration but also the focus of dental practices.

In the rising property market of previous years, the ownership of premises has required advice in order to produce stability within the partnership and good returns. Does that advice still hold good when prices have been dropping?

How can the sale or purchase of a dental practice or issues of succession for GPs be handled to maximise what is in effect a business opportunity?

Even in the best run practices, disputes can arise which lead to tensions within a practice and sometimes a parting of the ways. If such situations can be properly managed, the cost to all can be minimised along with the emotional angst and distractions from managing the practice. Unwelcome publicity can also be contained.

Success for GPs, dentists and their practices requires specialist legal input in a time of constant change within these professions.

Our areas of expertise cover the following topics:-