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February 2016 Issue 78
INDEPENDENT PRACTITIONER TODAY
FREE INSIDE! T INDEPENDEN ER PRACTITION TODAY
al for The business journpractice te doctors in priva
The business journal for doctors in private practice
In this issue
Be sociable on social media Where you should focus your efforts to get the most out of your online marketing P12
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Product Guide 2016
ods and A selection of go e doctors vat services for pri ay.co.uk ractitioner-tod
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Keeping tracks
How to keep tabs on the results of your efforts to maximise income and cut costs P23
Giving it away
Ways of minimising tax when passing on your wealth to loved ones P40
Chaos in police checks
By Robin Stride Private doctors have been warned their business plans are at risk from a huge backlog in police Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) checks. Some applications can take over twice the 60-day target and in London there are fears it could be mid-summer before the Metropolitan Police clears more than 68,000 applications. Now lawyers are advising doctors and clinics to submit paperwork early to get nearer the front of the queue. Andrew Lockhart-Mirams, of Lockharts Solicitors, told Independent Practitioner Today: ‘Do it as soon as you possibly can, even if, for instance, the employment process is still to be unravelled because you are waiting for references or tests. Get on and make the check.’ Martha Walker, independent adviser on Care Quality Commission (CQC) issues to the Independent Doctors Federation (IDF), said the delays could have a clinical and commercial impact on the safe and smooth running of clinics, particularly smaller ones without enough personnel to cover or shadow new staff while their DBS check was completed. She said: ‘For members who are going through the registration procedure, this protracted delay will further extend the time it takes to gain registration and could have pot entially disastrous effects on a new business. ‘Members who are registered with the CQC all follow robust recruitment processes, of which the DBS check only forms a part. Until the Metropolitan Police has cleared their backlog we have asked the CQC to allow new staff to start work while In association with
the DBS check is being carried out and that members may take into account a previous DBS certificate.’ She added: ‘During this time, we have also asked the CQC to allow new provider and registered manager applications to be submitted without DBS details, as the certificates will be viewed at the “fit person” interview.’ The IDF was awaiting a CQC response as we went to press. Lockharts told clients: ‘The CQC has the power to take action against providers who do not carry out these checks as and when required, or providers who cannot evidence that they have carried out the required checks. ‘If you are applying to the CQC to register as a provider or vary an existing registration and a DBS check is required, the CQC will most likely be unwilling to deal with your application until you can provide them with a copy of your DBS check.’ The Metropolitan Police said average waiting time was currently 75 days, but 15% were done within 25 days and 45% within the 60-day target. A police spokesman said: ‘DBS checks are not simple administrative work. Staff are making decisions about the disclosure of information that may involve a number of different police forces. These decisions directly impact on children and vulnerable adults and those who seek to work with them. For this reason, staff require significant specialist training and supervision.’ The force is training more staff, has transferred others to assist and has set up an extra evening shift to increase the number of checks processed. n See page 2 comment
You could be affected if: n Recruiting new staff for your organisation/joining anywhere when a DBS check is required n Updating expired DBS checks for existing staff members n Registering as a sole provider or partnership with the CQC n Varying your organisation’s CQC registration n Applying to register or change a registered manager with the CQC n Applying for any professional development or training where a DBS check is required for registration Source: Lockharts Solicitors
All smiles: (From left) Mr Robert Morris, Optegra Eye Health Care medical director, Mr Richard Walsh, optometrist, and consultant ophthalmic surgeon Mr Alex Shortt at Optegra’s newly opened flagship eye hospital in London. n See why it’s all smiles on page 4