The Modernisation of the Partnership Model
The classic vs. flexible partnership model has been an ongoing discussion in the healthcare sector. This was one of themes discussed at the Bristol Practice Management Conference hosted by healthcare law firm, VWV.
Ben Willis, Partner and Head of Healthcare at VWV commented on the conference:
"We recognise what is going on in the sector and understand what our clients are experiencing, mainly around the uncertainty of the future of the GP partnership model and questions about how best to provide a flexible career path for the next generation of GPs."
Highlights from the conference, on the subject of the modernisation of the partnership model, included guidance from the leading speakers in the sector.
Roger Morgan, a specialist Healthcare Director at Sandisons Accountants stressed that partnership model is dependent on "the need to have primary care properly resourced" and the importance of flexibility through working at scale, premises investment, working capital and corporate governance in attracting younger GPs. The next generation has greater financial challenges than those who came before them, and he made some suggestions about what practices can do to make things easier and more attractive for new joiners.
Dr Vijay Rawal, Medical Director at Haverstock Healthcare, shared his experience of good, bad and "mixed" corporate governance in the practices and federations he has worked with. "Governance is a key foundation to any service or organisation whenever you are thinking about starting something new or changing how you work". A practice having a well-defined strategic plan and clear employee roles and responsibilities is important for the future of GP recruitment and retention - as well as evidence for CQC.
Other conference and workshop topics included new models of care and the importance of integrated care services from Scott McKenzie Consultancy. The association between happier staff and happier patients from GP & Independent Consultant Dr Mike Smith. And fraud and cybercrime awareness and guidance from Lloyds Bank's Chris Fawcett. This was followed by streamlined practice processes from Ash Lane Consulting, change implementation from Xytal and getting your house in order by VWV Partner, Oliver Pool.
Ben Willis, concluded the day:
"The decreasing number of new GP partners makes the implementation of a more sustainable and flexible partnership model very important, with a drive to encourage more young GPs to take up partnership. A key theme of the conference was that "it isn't all about structure" - what's at least as important is leadership, resilience and profitability."