Medical practice law

Porter Dodson’s medical practice specialists provide a comprehensive range of legal services for GPs and GP practices. For almost twenty years, the dedicated Care and Medical Team at Porter Dodson has been at the forefront of support for practices across Somerset.

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 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.

Our team are experts in the complexities of running a GP practice and work with individual GPs, Practice Managers, GP partnerships, limited companies, PCNs as well as professional associations and the wider GP team.

We can offer you cost-effective specialist GP practice legal advice and assistance in a number of areas including:

Partnership Agreements Plain English Partnership Agreements which practices can truly understand and rely on

Business formation (Company Formation | Porter Dodson Solicitors), including practice mergers, integrations with hospital trusts, acquisitions and incorporations

GP partnership disputes and mediation

Employment & HR issues (Employment Advice | Porter Dodson Solicitors) including mediation and facilitation services for staff.

Primary Care Network support

We can advise on structuring your network, including the formation of new companies, and your network agreement schedules.

Regulatory and contract matters

Our team are experts in advising on NHS regulations and GP contracts, whether it is a GMS Contract, a PMS Agreement or an APMS Contract. We can also advise on Performers List applications and disputes as well as safeguarding issues.

CQC Registration and Regulation

We understand that registering with the CQC or facing an upcoming inspection is a daunting prospect. We can help you with registering, preparing for an inspection or challenging enforcement action. We can also assist with changing your registration, for example if you are entering into a new partnership or incorporating your business.

Data protection and GDPR

We can advise on all matters relating to data protection and GDPR compliance including:

• Updating your privacy notices
• Completing your annual Data Security and Protection Toolkit
• Protecting patient data and record keeping requirements
• Data protection breaches
• Subject access requests
• Providing data protection policies and procedures.
  

Leases, licences and occupiers
Bank Funding Arrangements for GPs
Property refinancing
Property sales
Sale and leaseback arrangements
Training and personal development
Commercial dispute resolution

Case studies

• Creation of the first employee-owned GP practice in Somerset Our team assisted the Partners of the surgery with this novel approach to GP ownership and management. We assisted with the transfer of the business to a limited company structure, advised on the regulatory implications, as well as the assignment of the lease to the newly created company. All the employees are now able to own a stake in the business, “John Lewis style”, which has created a stable and sustainable structure which should prove attractive to new staff and those looking to develop their careers.
• 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.