GP Partnership Review: Key Solutions to Revitalise

Independent Chair of GP Partnership Review, Dr Nigel Watson, published the interim report on 2 October following investigation into exploring the challenges that general practice faces. It acknowledges that practices cannot continue to work in isolation and that there is an increasing role and potential benefits for practices and providers who work together. The solutions to some of these issues are summarised as including:

• Having a larger and more diversified workforce with an increased focus on preventing disease, and more self-care and self-management, with the use of technology to support patients
• Increasing GP numbers and making partnership more attractive than being a locum;
• Creating primary care networks that will support practices with greater use of existing resources;
• Addressing the issue of risk - in lease and freehold ownership, by the introduction of a comprehensive state backed indemnity scheme and addressing the issue of unlimited liability in the partnership model;
• Better recognition of GPs with general practice recognised as a speciality ; and
• Medical students should be allowed more time in general practice with placements sufficiently funded.  

The report highlights the potential within the partnership model to benefit patients and the wider NHS, and the capacity of the model to achieve much more with the appropriate support. It acknowledges that there may be potential benefits of other contracting models such as corporate vehicles in particular circumstances, but this needs to be explored further.

The interim report is intended to distil the most important factors being developed in the final report, stating that over the next three months up to the end of 2018, the Review will move to wider consultation. Contributions from interested parties are being requested, particularly with further evidence of innovative best practice in relation to digital technology and data and to hear what is already making a difference to practices and patients, and supporting partnerships in general practice. You can email the Chair and the review team with your contributions at: GPPartnershipReview@dh.gsi.gov.uk.

For more information on GP partnerships, please contact a member of our Healthcare team, or complete the form below.