Independent Practitioner Today

Independent Practitioner Today has been your eyes and ears for ten years now, bringing you news, advice, and opinion in the fast-changing world of private practice. Here we look back at some of the most memorable front pages – and in our parallel feature, entitled ‘The future of private practice’, leading lights in the sector […]

Thinking outside the box could bring you an increased income, says Susan Hutter. The continued push-back by insurers on consultants’ fees is becoming more serious and affecting their income adversely. And this is especially the case for longer-serving consultants because, traditionally, they commanded higher fees. Well, it is always worth looking at other revenue streams. […]

How can you as an investor survive inevitable falls? Patrick Convey explains why you should lean on your financial planner. Investors have experienced very strong investment markets since the Credit Crisis a decade ago. Some may have forgotten – or never experienced – the pain  and even fear that such events can induce. When falls […]

Capital gains tax is one of the less common taxes people pay, but it can sometimes be an unexpected and unwelcome tax that can catch you out. Ian Tongue explains the basics of the levy and some common areas where capital gains tax can arise. What is capital gains tax? Capital gains tax (CGT) arises […]

How is the business side of your practice performing? Try this quiz, compiled by Findlay Fyfe, to find out. How often do you raise invoices? A    Daily B    Weekly C    Monthly D    When I get time What system do you raise your invoices on? A    A practice management system B    Word C    […]

Medical historian Suzie Grogan unearths what today’s surgeons and GP predecessors were treating – and charging – in the 18th and 19th centuries From the relative comfort of the 21st century and the medical advances we enjoy now, it is both horrific and fascinating to learn about the conditions, concerns and ‘cures’ that were part […]

‘Business Dilemmas’ Dr Catherine Wills responds to a private GP’s query about providing additional information following completion of a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death       Dilemma 1 Was death due to something else? Q One of my elderly patients has recently died. She had terminal cancer and was receiving palliative care at […]

Dr Tony Rimmer turns over the engine of the new Nissan Leaf and finds it the most convincing and reasonably priced electric car available. A successful business will only thrive by constantly looking to the future. As all independent practitioners know, identifying opportunities to attract more clients or run the practice more efficiently will help […]

Our tour of private patient units (PPUs) continues this month as Philip Housden looks at the private patient services in the 17 NHS trusts delivering acute care services to the south-west counties of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire, Somerset and Gloucestershire. Figures from the published annual accounts for this group of trusts shows that total private […]

Should I or shouldn’t I? The question of whether or not consultants should be employed or self-employed is becoming increasingly debated. There are strong arguments in favour and against. Ray Stanbridge gives an assessment. Market dynamics are such that the ‘salaried option’ cannot be brushed aside and most new consultants will have to take a […]