Supporting GP practices with Partnership Agreements that reflect today’s healthcare landscape
A well-drafted GP Partnership Agreement is the foundation of a successful medical practice. As partnerships evolve, partners join or leave, and NHS requirements change, it is essential that agreements remain up to date and continue to protect both the practice and its partners.
For more than 24 years, Tracey Dickens, Partner in the Company Commercial Team at Tees, has advised GP partnerships on preparing, reviewing and updating GP Partnership Agreements that provide clarity, certainty and long-term protection.
Why GP practices need up-to-date partnership agreements
Many GP practices are operating under Partnership Agreements that no longer reflect the way their practice works today. Changes in legislation, NHS policy and the increasing role of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) mean older agreements can leave important issues unaddressed.
Partnership changes, including the retirement or departure of partners and the admission of new partners, also create the need to review existing arrangements to ensure they remain appropriate and protect everyone’s interests.
Tailored GP Partnership Agreement advice
Drawing on decades of experience advising GP partnerships, Tracey works closely with practice managers, GP partners and the practice’s accountants to produce Partnership Agreements tailored to each practice.
Our advice includes:
- Preparing new GP Partnership Agreements for newly established or merged practices.
- Reviewing and updating existing agreements to reflect changes in the practice and current NHS requirements.
- Advising on partner admissions, retirements and exits, ensuring Partnership Agreements are updated accordingly.
- Including provisions covering Primary Care Networks (PCNs), Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) arrangements, NHS superannuation and last person standing provisions.
- Ensuring the agreement clearly sets out partners’ rights, responsibilities and decision-making arrangements while protecting the long-term interests of the partnership.
By taking the time to understand how each practice operates, we provide practical legal advice that supports both day-to-day management and future planning.
Protecting the future of GP Partnerships
Tracey has helped GP practices across the region establish Partnership Agreements that reflect the realities of modern primary care while providing a clear framework for the future.
Whether supporting newly formed partnerships, updating longstanding agreements or advising following changes in partnership membership, Tees provides practical, commercially focused advice that gives GP partners confidence that their practice is built on strong legal foundations.
“A GP Partnership Agreement should do far more than record how a practice operates today. It should give partners certainty, protect the practice when circumstances change and provide a clear framework for making decisions in the future. Keeping agreements up to date is one of the best ways to safeguard the long-term success of a GP partnership.”
Tracey Dickens, Partner, Company Commercial Team
