Premises update July 2017

This month’s update include advice on: 

  • London policy for accessing financial support for service charges and premises running costs
  • How to plan a premises relocation
  • Lease negotiations
  • Transitional funding arrangements
  • Current charges including historical subsidies

London policy for financial assistance with service charges and premises running costs

NHS England London region and London Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have developed a policy for accessing financial support for service charges and premises running costs. Please contact our GP support team on gpsupport@lmc.org.uk for more information.

Please note, there is a gateway with eligibility criteria including: full disclosure of income and expenditure on an open book and annual basis; production of an action plan to demonstrate how you will optimise your income and reduce expenditure over the next 12 months.

Premises relocation approval from NHS England

Practices should be aware that before planning to relocate their premises or agree a new lease, they need to seek approval from NHS England. Failure to do so contravenes NHS England regulations and may jeopardise your CCG/NHS England agreeing future investment and notional rent payments.

Our GP support team can give advice to practices on how to manage this process, pitfalls to avoid, or support that may be available if a practice is in difficulties through failing to follow proper procedure. They can be contacted on gpsupport@lmc.org.uk.

Lease negotiations

It is vital that you do not sign any lease or Heads of Terms (including those purporting to be based on the national template GP lease negotiated between the BMA and NHS Property Services) unless and until you fully understand and are comfortable with your potential liabilities. To this regard appropriate due diligence as to your potential liabilities should be carried out. Please contact gpsupport@lmc.org.uk for advice when you receive your invitation letter. This will not replace the need to obtain your own independent legal advice on your individual circumstances.

Please note:

  • NHSPS has advised that GP tenants can liaise direct with them rather than Montagu Evans
    enants in multi-occupancy premises may wish to consider engaging a single solicitor as a group
  • Tenants can also act as a group regardless of whether they are in the same premises and commission a single solicitor to achieve economy of scale in costs.

Transitional funding

Such arrangements should only be entered into where you are entirely satisfied that when the transitional period ends you are not inadvertently left having to meet increased costs without the benefit of increased funding. In the view of the BMA and LLMCs, transitional arrangements should be avoided. More permanent solutions which align a practice’s funding to their costs are needed.

Current charges

In respect of current charges, practices should only make payments to the extent that they are both satisfied as to the legal basis upon which they are payable and their accuracy. If you used to receive a PCT subsidy on your costs you will need to discuss this with your current commissioner and provide evidence.

Last updated : 18 Jul 2017

 

November 2018 workforce survey (15 Nov 2018)

Thank you in advance for making space in your busy day to complete our short survey on practice workforce issues which will help us to gather insight to share with key...
Read more »

Being an effective LMC (17 Oct 2018)

Over the coming weeks the newly elected and re-elected members of all of our LMCs will complete the process of choosing Chairs and Vice Chairs. This month two LMC chairs...
Read more »

Next Steps for the Strategic Commissioning Framework launched (17 Oct 2018)

Londonwide LMCs continues to work with the system to lead and influence in order to secure the future of general practice in London, working jointly with London CCGs and NHS...
Read more »

Tips of the Month October 2018 (16 Oct 2018)

We provide weekly tips based on common queries which come through to us from London GPs and practice teams. These are shared via social media and collated for...
Read more »

National Data Opt-Out - update for practices (16 Oct 2018)

Practice checklist: Staff are aware that the type 2 opt out codes have been retired and replaced by a national opt-out. Practice privacy notice (or Fair Processing Guidance)
Read more »

Government notice on impact of 'no deal' Brexit on recognition of professional qualifications (16 Oct 2018)

One of these notices covered the recognition of professional qualifications, including those of Drs (including GPs) and nurses. At present the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (MRPQ) Directive is a...
Read more »

Feedback sought on GP Partnership Review interim findings (15 Oct 2018)

The GP Partnership Review is being conducted for the Department of Health and Social Care by Dr Nigel Watson of Wessex LMCs, with the aim of producing a set of...
Read more »

Don't forget to download BEAM to LMC - Londonwide LMCs' app (21 Sep 2018)

  Londonwide LMCs' mobile application helps hard-pressed GPs and practice teams highlight the pressure they’re under from commissioners...
Read more »
Next Page »
« Previous Page