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Points to watch about PCN staff employment
A tricky issue for primary care networks (PCNs) has been how to go about employing their staff. Some PCNs appoint a lead practice to employ staff on behalf of all practices. Others share employment responsibilities across all practices.
Opportunity knocks for GP provider organisations
The new Health and Care Bill published in the summer sets out how the government plans to reform health services and achieve better integration between health and care in England. Ross Clark and Alison Oliver explore some of its key elements and its implications for general practice.
Implications of the Health and Care Bill for general practice
The new Health and Care Bill sets out how the government plans to reform health services in England. Alison Oliver looks as what it will mean in primary care
Make your merger magic – not manic
The last 12 months has seen practices working much more closely together to respond to the pandemic and to deliver the network contract DES in PCNs. Many practices, having seen the benefits of closer working, are now considering merging. In this article, Alison Oliver outlines some of the key issues to consider if you are thinking about merging with one or more other practices.
Do you want to change or leave your PCN? Have you reviewed the 2021-2022 Network Specification?
If you are thinking of changing PCNs, leaving your PCN or opting out of the Network Contract DES, you must inform your CCG by 30th April at the latest.
Help to ease the pain of partnership disputes
Partnership disputes are time-consuming, costly, stressful and de-stabilising for a practice and the individuals involved. But unfortunately, they are also more prevalent when partners are under pressure, as during the Covid-19 pandemic. Alison Oliver and Ross Clark explore common causes of partnership disputes, how to prevent them happening and what to do if one arises in your practice
Hempsons’ Dental Newsbrief: Spring 2021
Welcome to the latest edition of Hempsons' Dental Newsbrief, a round-up of some of the hot legal topics in the dental sector.
What has the impact of Covid-19 been on the dental market and how will this affect practices going forward?
Covid-19 has had a huge impact on businesses across the country and dental practices are no exception to this.
Primary Care – the impact of the White Paper
The main thrust of the paper is to put ICS (integrated Care Systems) onto a statutory footing, and provide the statutory foundation for the reforms which are a progression of the Five Year Forward View (which was published 7 years ago now) and the NHS Long Term Plan published in 2019.
Contract changes for 2021/22 announced
NHS England issued a letter on 21 January 2021 summarising changes to the GMS contract for 2021/2022. Ongoing uncertainty arising from the pandemic means that there will need to be further changes to the contract in the course of the year.
NHS Dental Practices Year-End Reconciliation
Following the letter of preparedness issued on 22 December 2020, NHS dental practices should be aware of their increased targets for the last quarter of the financial year and the proposed reconciliation and abatement processes for calculating any clawback and deemed activity.
Are you licensed for your COVID Vacs sites?
Finding appropriate venues to give the COVID-19 vaccinations has resulted in some creative thinking as to places where this can be done.
Checked your Covid-19 Collaboration Agreement?
With the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme by general practice starting next week, practices need to agree the terms on which they will collaborate to deliver the programme in accordance with the vaccination enhanced service specification
Incorporation of GP practices – what the NHS may require
GP practices wanting to incorporate will be considered in line with new guidance issued by the NHS. GP enquiries about incorporating their practices or forming PCN companies have risen in part driven by the added liability created by PCNs and other "at scale" providers.