September 2018 Issue 104
www.independent-practitioner-today.co.uk
INDEPENDENT PRACTITIONER TODAY
The business journal for doctors in private practice
In this issue
Benefit from being betimes There are big advantages in filing your tax return early, an accountant explains P14
Put your best face forward
£12.50
Gear up for Making Tax Digital n See page 46
Myths about complaints
Expert advice on what to avoid when creating your vital website P27
An expedient response to complaints can result in a swift resolution. Find out how P30
September sign-up By Robin Stride Performance measures for the first batch of 1,000 consultants to be featured on an official website for all to see were set to at last go live as Independent Practitioner Today went to press. Publication marks a notable shift in openness in private healthcare and is a milestone for the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) which was forced to delay its original plans over the summer. Efforts to show ‘a meaningful set’ of performance information for a minimum of 1,000 consultants by the end of July were foiled by what it called ‘technological challenges with our platform’. Some consultants were unable to review and approve their measures as a result, so PHIN fell short of its four-figure target before the holiday period. It was twice forced to extend the data validation window by several weeks. Chief executive Matt James told specialists after the initial delay: ‘We take responsibility for this and apologise for the frustration which a number of consultants have experienced.’ In association with
Matt James, head of the Private Healthcare Information Network
More consultants were still needed to give the all-clear earlier this month, but the number was said to be ‘very close’ to triggering an Autumn live launch. With nearly 5,000 consultants having logged in to PHIN’s portal to check information provided by private hospitals, correct errors and give feedback, a spokesman for the data body paid tribute to the doctors involved.
He said: ‘All systems are now “go”. We are starting to see a notable shift in the medical profession towards embracing transparency and this is an indicator to that. ‘We want to thank those leading consultants who are signing up to it and encouraging others to sign up too. ‘And we want to encourage other leading doctors to engage in the process, review their data and look
to improve the data available on healthcare.’ Mr James said: ‘There has been a huge, positive shift from the sector towards greater transparency, and we are thankful to those consultants who have supported this process already.’ ➱ continued on page 4
More than 10,000 practitioners have now joined technology specialist Healthcode’s project to support private practice since its launch two years ago. Healthcode’s managing director Peter Connor said the milestone number of profiles on the Private Practice Register (PPR) meant the company was ‘well on the way’ to producing a game-changing definitive online directory for the private healthcare sector. He added: ‘I’m confident the rest
will sign up when they see how PPR will support their practice.’ PPR already offers consultants and other healthcare professionals a straightforward path into private practice by streamlining applications for private medical insurer recognition. Practitioners complete just a single online form covering all the necessary information and select the insurers they wish to register with for recognition. They can highlight their clinical
expertise and access Healthcode electronic billing and secure messaging services to help their practice management. PPR is tipped to be an industrywide resource as private hospitals use it to enhance communication and efficient working with doctors and insurers. Doctors will use it as a secure gateway to apply for practising privileges – eliminating the repetitive paperwork usually involved. ➱ continued on page 4