As the days get longer and the weeds start creeping up in the practice car park, it might be time for a different kind of spring clean…your Partnership Agreement.
Too often, the agreement sits untouched in a filing cabinet until a problem crops us: a partner leaves, goes on long term sick-leave or a disagreement arises. At that point, all eyes turn to the agreement, and if it’s not up to date, it can cause real difficulty.
A quick legal review now could save significant time, stress and cost later. So, here’s a timely reminder of a few key areas worth reviewing:
Has your partnership changed recently? New partners joining, old ones retiring or reducing sessions? These all need to be properly documented. If the agreement doesn’t match the current make up of the partnership, you’re exposed to unnecessary risk.
Top Tip: Don’t forget to check who is named on your property documents at the same time!
Does the agreement clearly set out what happens when a partner takes parental leave, sick leave or a sabbatical? It should cover what happens, who arranges cover, who pays for cover, and for how long. These details are often a source of tension and are far easier to handle with clear terms in place.
Ask yourself: Are locum costs fairly shared when someone takes extended leave?
Is it clear who can decide what? Do you need unanimity for big-ticket items like new hires or property changes? What happens if partners can’t agree?
A well-drafted deed can avoid stalemates and stop small disagreements from escalating.
We’re seeing more GPs exploring partial retirement. Does your deed allow for that? If any partners are approaching retirement your deed should set out how that process works, including notice periods, financial arrangements and what happens next. Planning ahead can help smooth the way ahead for both retiring and continuing partners.
Primary Care Networks have changed the landscape. If your partners are involved in PCNs, federations, teaching or out-of-hours roles, your agreement should address how this impacts time, income, and decision-making.
No one likes to think things will go wrong, but when they do, it’s much easier to sort things out with a fair and workable process already agreed.
Your agreement should include a clear dispute resolution process, ideally with options like mediation, and set out what happens if things really break down. If the existing clauses feel vague or heavy-handed, it might be time for a rethink.
You don’t need to start from scratch. But if your deed hasn’t been reviewed in a few years, or if the partnership has changed recently, it’s worth checking that it still fits how the practice actually runs.
We regularly help GP practices review and update their partnership agreements, often with just a few focused changes that make a real difference.
If you'd like a no-obligation chat about reviewing your agreement, do get in touch. We’re always happy to help - email our Primary Care Law Team on care@porterdodson.co.uk or speak to Sarah Cook on 01935 846838.
For more information on how we can support you, visit our Primary Care law page here.