www.independent-practitioner-today.co.uk
May 2020 Issue 121
INDEPENDENT PRACTITIONER TODAY
The business journal for doctors in private practice
In this issue
We’re all in this battle together
David Hare show how independent practitioners are supporting the NHS in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic P12
Cutting our ties to Europe
What leaving the EU and its data protection jurisdiction mean
for you P16
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Video consultations
We trace the surge in digital consultations experienced by the Trustedoctor platform P34
Help during the crisis
By Robin Stride
A new programme is being devised to encourage, advise and support private consultants as they deal with new ways of working and novel business models emerging in the months ahead. The initiative, from the London Consultants Association (LCA), will be aimed at current independ ent practitioners and younger new entrants. LCA chairman Dr Mark Vander pump said: ‘We are keen to help existing consultants re-establish themselves to continue to deliver expert care within the private sec tor post-pandemic’. He is heading the development of a programme building on exist ing offerings such as popular medico-legal training sessions, which will now include some vir tual sessions. A mentoring programme for younger consultants is also under way. This will give new members access to established consultants in their own specialty to receive support during these testing times for independent practitioners’ businesses. Full-time private doctors are among the thousands of firms seeking Government loans to try and survive the pandemic. Once lockdown is relaxed, the LCA plans to run evening meetings to specifically address consultants’ In association with
lists, will mean a self-pay upsurge. needs in a changing and untested Specialist medical accountant environment. Ray Stanbr idge commented: It said consideration would also ‘There’s a huge pent-up demand be given to new business models for private practice and even that allowed consultants to drive though it has been pretty awful for their own quality agenda and some consultants, I think it is maintain their professional auton going to boom away. omy. The pros and cons of employ ‘I think it is going to bounce ment models will also be looked at. back very strongly; it might Dr Vander pump told even emerge stronger out Independent Practitioner of it. For independent prac Today: ‘The LCA is alert to titioners now, it is a ques the potential impact of tion of being positive. this emergency on private Some have been quite practice. depressed, but economic ‘We are optimistic that a cycles come and go. I’d new medical professional ism can be established to The LCA’s Dr Mark advise them to be positive and trust in their own par allow the NHS and private Vanderpump ticular skills.’ sector to work in a comple A surge in self-pay patients who mentary and seamless manner for do not wish to wait for their turn the benefit of patients.’ on extended NHS waiting lists is Although the international mar also predicted by the Federation of ket will be severely hit by health Independent Practitioner Organ and travel restrictions for the fore isations (FIPO). seeable future, the LCA expects Private practice business expert this to recover as foreign patients Jane Braithwaite, writing in this seeking tertiary care return to the issue – see page 5, said: ‘Private capital’s private sector expertise. practice income has dropped to It believes it is therefore impor negligible levels in the last two tant that the sector maintains its months and, from a business per profile and senior consultants spective, this is devastating for return to practice. many. The LCA considers that corpo ‘But t hings will get better rate medical insurance policies will quickly once private hospitals rebe dropped by some small and open and the lockdown is lifted. mid-sized companies who are Private practice will see a rapid struggling to make themselves increase in activity levels.’ profitable again. But this, plus longer NHS waiting More from FIPO on page 4
KEEP UNDER OBSERVATION… Far-reaching but unpredictable changes are likely for private practice, doctors and the NHS, with a potentially dramatic market shift The major private practice pillars – doctors, providers and insurers – will need to adapt their approaches to thrive Close NHS and private sector working during the pandemic may augur further co-operation over and above what pre-existed, as NHS waiting lists inevitably rise Fixed fees and rising overheads may discourage young consultants from self-employed independent practice – but the LCA insists independence is essential despite the pressures Virtual meetings, particularly for multidisciplinary teams, have proved their worth in the private sector. But early feedback is that lengthy virtual clinics can be draining and less than satisfactory for consultants and patients, particularly new clients Nothing can replace in-depth face-to-face consultations and hands-on examinations, but e-checkouts and e-bookings may promote efficiency in some specialties Source: LCA