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Don’t be an HMRC target
One of the most stressful aspects of running your own business and having to submit tax returns annually is the ...
Tougher vetting for private consultants
By Robin Stride Consultants face a practising privileges shake-up under private hospital plans to strengthen clinical governance and bring a more standardised approach to working arrangements. An Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) initiative starting in England also envisages more proactive and two-way information sharing between private providers and the NHS via Responsible Officers (ROs). The […]
Where do you find the cash?
Money, money, money – Dr Lafina Diamandis shows how doctors can fund their property investment deals. Not having enough money to invest in property is a common obstacle for people starting out. Most developers who have used up their own funds find money from elsewhere, which enables them to continue doing business and building new […]
You’re never too old to think long term
How far ahead should you be looking? Dr Benjamin Holdsworth looks at a prudent investment horizon, whatever your age. Many investors nearing retirement – or already in it – question taking a ‘long-term’ approach and whether they should still be investing in the stock market. When it comes to ‘systematic’ investing – capturing specific market risks […]
The fateful days of my last patient
Surgeon Mr David Sellu, convicted for gross negligence manslaughter of a patient – overturned on appeal after a 30-month prison sentence – continues his story from last month. 11 February 2010: Ealing Hospital, 7.45am to 6.15pm. The Clementine Churchill Hospital, 7pm to 10.40pm, then home I thought I had an ordinary day ahead. But I […]
Checks in the post
The perils of closed social media forums. Dr Sally Old discusses the pitfalls of posting on private social media groups. Social media groups and forums can often be a useful platform to discuss the pressures of being a doctor; for example, sharing best practice, voicing frustrations or asking questions to colleagues. There are numerous forums which are […]
Sharing outcomes
Plaudits for audit – a pilot project is being set up to examine how the independent sector can participate in the National Clinical Audits Programme. David Hare reports. Having comparable, reliable information about the performance of clinical services is a key tool in supporting quality assurance and quality improvement in healthcare, with national clinical audits playing […]
‘E’ is for expenses
The building blocks of accountancy This month, we get to ‘E’ in our A-Z guide of essential matters that consultants and GPs need to consider to run their private practices efficiently. Susan Hutter reports. is for expenses Doctors’ expenses have been regarded much more strictly in recent years by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Most […]
A disquieting missive
‘Business Dilemmas’ For doctors, it is one of the most worrying questions they ever ask: ‘Am I being sued?’ Dr Shabbir Choudhury answers a private consultant’s fears after opening a ‘letter of notification’. Dilemma 1 Does this mean I am being sued? Q I am an ENT surgeon in independent practice and […]
Orthopaedic units show how to do it
Our monthly analysis of private patient revenue growth moves to the West Midlands’ 15 NHS acute trusts across the counties of Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire. Philip Housden reports. All the figures in this article are from recently published 2018-19 trust accounts. They show that total private patient revenues for the region grew slightly by 0.5% […]
Stylish evolution of the people-carrier
‘Doctor on the Road’: SEAT Tarraco Keen-driving ‘family’ doctors will find this seven-seater – with foldaway seats – equal to the class leaders, says Dr Tony Rimmer. It would be naïve for any independent practitioner to believe that local competition can be ignored when striving for a successful private practice. Both individually and organisationally, we need […]
Ever-rising cost of being sued
Keep it Legal: Negligence costs Niloo Bozorgi looks at the costs of clinical negligence claims for independent practitioners and upcoming changes that will affect them Overall costs of clinical negligence claims are now widely acknowledged to be at an unsustainable level and the Government has commenced various consultations on developing a cross-government strategy to control costs. The […]