Medical practice law

Over the course of the last ten years, the dedicated Care and Medical Team at Porter Dodson has been at the forefront of support for practices across Somerset.

Initially advising practices on all aspects of employment law, head of the team Adrian Poole quickly realised that wider issues were troubling the sector, not least a looming crisis for practice ownership. With seasoned partners looking to retire and a lack of new recruits coming through, many practices found themselves in a state of flux and looking for a solution.

The team at Porter Dodson sprung into action and worked alongside key stakeholders in finding an alternative way of working. Thanks to NHS England funding under the Vanguard scheme, the local solution under a new model of care was the Symphony programme, a system of integration with the hospital trust. It was designed to relieve busy GPs of the burden of practice ownership and management whilst ensuring better access to joined up care for patients.

The successful scheme now sees 16 practices across 20 sites working in this new way, with the team at Porter Dodson having acted for the vast majority of incoming providers. The referrals from other clients and key stakeholders are testament to the team’s level of service, ability and reputation.

Over the years, the team has expanded and is now recognised across the county for its proactive and pragmatic advice, designed to achieve objectives rather than create barriers. Alongside the niche integration work, the team provides a full suite of advice and support to Primary Care providers, big and small. From creating multi-practice Super Partnerships to updating a Deed of Retirement, the team is here to help.

With great connections and a network of other professionals to call on, our team is proud to offer a no obligation initial scoping meeting or discussion to give practices the chance to meet the team and decide to work with them.

How can we help you?

• Integration with hospital trusts
• Federations and joint working initiatives
• Practice mergers / sales / acquisitions
• Business formation – partnerships, companies and limited liability partnerships
• Partnership Agreements (including updates when partners come and go)
• PCN Agreements
• Property refinancing
• Lease renewals
• Property sales
• Sale and leaseback arrangements
• Employment support and resolution of staffing issues
• Mediation and partnership disputes
• Regulatory and safeguarding advice
• Training and personal development
• Commercial dispute resolution

Case studies

• Three partner, two site surgery with one new build premises and one traditional building.
  Our team managed the transfer of the surgery assets to the Symphony programme as well as the assignment of the leased premises alongside the sale and leaseback of the freehold surgery to a third-party investment company, allowing the partners to release the capital tied up in the premises. Against a backdrop of increasing CQC involvement, the team ensured that the PMS agreement was transferred and supported the effective TUPE of all employees into the new operating company.
• Merger of five practices to create a super-partnership managed by a Partnership Board with delegated functions to individual practices.
  Dealt with the assignment of leases as well as commercial re-financing of three freehold premises, overcoming issues in respect of property valuations and ownership discrepancies. Supporting the partnership to integrate all staff into the new organisation and deal with the regulatory implications of bringing PMS and GMS contracts together.