Running a GP practice is demanding at the best of times. Add financial pressure, workforce shortages, and the complexities of running a business together — and it’s no surprise that tensions sometimes spill over into disputes between partners.

The mistake we see too often is this: mediation is brought in too late. By the time partners pick up the phone, positions have hardened, relationships have broken down, and the partnership itself may already be at risk.

Why timing matters

Mediation works best when it happens early — before conflicts escalate into entrenched battles. At that stage:

• conversations are easier to have,
• trust is still salvageable, and
• there’s a far greater chance of partners continuing to work together productively.

Once solicitors’ letters start flying, it’s harder to bring people back to the table. And litigation, while sometimes necessary, is expensive, slow, and often destructive to working relationships.

Signs it’s time to call a mediator

If you’re noticing any of these, don’t wait:

• Partners avoiding conversations or meetings.
• Repeated disagreements over finances, workload, or strategic direction.
• Decisions being made unilaterally.
• A sense that communication has broken down, even if the issues aren’t yet formalised.

Early intervention doesn’t just save money and stress — it protects your patients and your staff, who often pick up on tensions long before the dispute becomes official.

A constructive first step

Mediation is not about deciding who’s right or wrong. It’s about giving partners a safe, confidential space to talk openly, be heard, and explore solutions. Even if the outcome is that one partner moves on, mediation helps make that transition smoother, quicker, and less damaging.

Why we’re offering this service

Having advised GP practices for over 20 years, we’ve seen too many partnerships torn apart unnecessarily. That’s why we now offer a dedicated mediation service — combining independent mediation skills with a deep understanding of the pressures and dynamics of practice life.

If your partnership is under strain, don’t wait for breaking point. Get in touch for a confidential chat about how mediation could help.

Contact our Primary Care team on care@porterdodson.co.uk

👉 Mediation Services at Porter Dodson