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The role of Federations and GP provider organisations going forward
It's been reported in Pulse that GP federations will not count as primary care networks 'in most cases’ and that “Practices will have just a couple of months to join new primary care networks if they are to qualify for a significant amount of funding being invested in the organisations by NHS England" - all part of the new five-year framework for GP contract reform to implement The NHS Long Term Plan.
Will a “no-deal Brexit” change the position for public procurement law?
As discussed in our previous newsflash (December 2018), the public procurement position post-Brexit is expected, at least initially, to be largely the same as now, whatever the outcome of current debates.
Some Legal Implications of the NHS Long Term Plan
Much has been written about the publication of the NHS Long Term Plan (“LTP”). The NHS Confederation has provided a particularly useful summary. The main focus of the plan is to implement a new service model, with particular focus on the improved access to services, early diagnosis and prevention of certain diseases (including diabetes, strokes, dementia and cancer), and improved access to mental health services for both adults and children. In order to improve access to services, the plan sets out ambitions for better integration between primary, secondary and community services for patients.
Intellectual Property and Health Tech – potential pitfalls
Technology and innovation is at the forefront of current medical practice, with new software, apps and websites being released regularly. This article is designed to offer an overview of some of the potential mistakes you could make if you are considering the development of your own health technology from the intellectual property (IP) perspective.
Consultant Cardiologist faced Fitness to Practise Proceedings
Adam Smith was instructed by a consultant cardiologist who faced fitness to practise proceedings before a Medical Practitioners Tribunal of the MPTS regarding his alleged misconduct outside of the work environment.
Upcoming legislative changes
With ongoing uncertainty surrounding the final terms under which the UK will leave the EU and whether this will take place on 29 March 2019 as planned or not, it is difficult to predict how Brexit may affect Employment Law. However, for practical purposes it seems likely that EU legislation will remain applicable in the UK (but perhaps on a different constitutional basis) unless or until it is amended by UK legislation. We are not expecting swift changes to Employment law and do not expect to see any significant changes prior to 31 December 2020 (the end of the proposed transition period).
Thinking of changing your practice structure? You may be eligible for Government funding
Organisations seeking funding are required to submit an expression of interest to DCMS by 21st February 2019
Failure to comply with the duty of candour lands NHS Foundation Trust with fine
An NHS Foundation Trust has, for the first time, been fined by The Care Quality Commission for failing to comply with its duty of candour to be open and honest with patients or their families if there is an incident in which they suffer harm
Charity Finance Group Midlands Conference 2019
Hempsons Employment Partner, Andrew Davidson, will be speaking at Charity Finance Group’s flagship event in the region – the Midlands Conference 2019.
Update – Tax changes to termination payments
Back in the 2016 Budget, the government announced that from April 2018, it would “reform and simplify” the taxation of termination payments. Following a technical consultation, the reforms expanded and now aim to "clarify and tighten" (i.e. increase) the taxation of such payments.
Property related delays: Prevention the best cure?
In the past year, Hempsons have acted for a wide range of dental clients on a variety of different transactions. We have acted for sole practitioners retiring and selling their practice, dental corporates buying shares in other dental companies and practitioners starting out on their first venture alone.
Protection and promotion of your brand
We all know the key role that your brand plays in building awareness of your practice with your patients, but how do you maximise and protect its value?
Building a fortress – how robust record keeping can protect you against GDC complaints
The GDC’s 2017 Annual Report states that the GDC received 1910 complaints in 2017, which is a marked decrease from 2016 (2630 complaints) and 2015 (2786 complaints). This is a positive trend, although it is not yet known whether it has continued into 2018.
New NHS dental contract – what to expect
There have been rumours for the last few years about how the NHS dental contract is going to be revolutionised, with varying degrees of suggested change. Action has however now been taken to put some of these theories into action to test potential new forms of the NHS dental contract.