Skip to content

Author: globaladmin

GP Net Earnings: Updated

HordenGroupPractice-Outside

NHS England require that the net earnings of doctors engaged in the practice is publicised, and the required disclosure is shown below.  However it should be noted that the prescribed method for calculating earnings is potentially misleading because it takes no account of how  much time doctors spend working in the practice, and should not be  used to form any judgement about GP earnings, nor to make any  comparison with any other practice.

 All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g.  average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at  each practice.

The average pay for GPs working in this practice in the last full financial year was £129,183 before Tax and National insurance. This is for three full time GP, two part time GPs and one locum GP who worked in the practice for more than six months.

Back to News Page

ADHD/Autism/Gender Dysphoria Shared Care Agreements with private providers

ADHD/Autism/Gender Dysphoria Shared Care Agreements with private providers (Effective from 1 March 2025)

Sometimes the care of a patient is shared between two doctors, usually a GP and a specialist, and there is a formalised written ‘shared care agreement’ setting out the position of each, to which both parties have willingly agreed. Where these arrangements are in place, GP providers can arrange the prescriptions and appropriate investigations, and the results are fully dealt with by clinicians with the necessary competence under the shared care arrangement. There is NHS guidance available about this.

Shared Care with private providers is not recommended due to the general NHS constitution principle of keeping as clear a separation as possible between private and NHS care. Shared Care is currently set up as an NHS service, and entering into a shared care arrangement may have implications around governance and quality assurance as well as promoting health inequalities. A private patient seeking access to shared care should therefore have their care completely transferred to the NHS. Shared care may be appropriate where private providers are providing commissioned NHS services and where appropriate shared care arrangements are in place.

All shared care arrangements are voluntary, so even where agreements are in place, practices can decline shared care requests on clinical and capacity grounds. The responsibility for the patient’s care and ongoing prescribing then remains the responsibility of the private provider.

If you are under the care of a private specialist, we will not be able to enter into a shared care agreement. You can ask us to refer you to an in-person NHS mental health team, but while waiting to see them, you will need to obtain your treatment from your private specialist directly.

The above statement also applies to Third party providers working under right to choose.

We will not carry out tests that private providers want you to have, any tests that private providers need to be done must be completed by them. The Right to Choose providers are also commissioned to do things like physical checks and blood tests and therefore this is also something that they should provide. If they are an online/remote provider, you will need to discuss this fully with them on how to proceed.

If you have started treatment with a private provider, you will either need to:

    • approach the Practice to request a referral to an NHS specialist
    • or continue to receive your treatment directly from your private provider indefinitely

Please note that there may be a significant delay in having your diagnosis reviewed by the NHS team and them agreeing to participate in a shared care agreement. During this time, you will need to continue to receive your treatment directly from your private provider. The Practice is not able or obliged in any way to provide a “bridging” prescription.

Back to News Page

Add Your Heading Text Here

ADHD/Autism/Gender Dysphoria Shared Care Agreements with private providers

(Effective from 1 March 2025)

Sometimes the care of a patient is shared between two doctors, usually a GP and a specialist, and there is a formalised written ‘shared care agreement’ setting out the position of each, to which both parties have willingly agreed. Where these arrangements are in place, GP providers can arrange the prescriptions and appropriate investigations, and the results are fully dealt with by clinicians with the necessary competence under the shared care arrangement. There is NHS guidance available about this.

Shared Care with private providers is not recommended due to the general NHS constitution principle of keeping as clear a separation as possible between private and NHS care. Shared Care is currently set up as an NHS service, and entering into a shared care arrangement may have implications around governance and quality assurance as well as promoting health inequalities. A private patient seeking access to shared care should therefore have their care completely transferred to the NHS. Shared care may be appropriate where private providers are providing commissioned NHS services and where appropriate shared care arrangements are in place.

All shared care arrangements are voluntary, so even where agreements are in place, practices can decline shared care requests on clinical and capacity grounds. The responsibility for the patient’s care and ongoing prescribing then remains the responsibility of the private provider.

If you are under the care of a private specialist, we will not be able to enter into a shared care agreement. You can ask us to refer you to an in-person NHS mental health team, but while waiting to see them, you will need to obtain your treatment from your private specialist directly.

The above statement also applies to Third party providers working under right to choose.

We will not carry out tests that private providers want you to have, any tests that private providers need to be done must be completed by them. The Right to Choose providers are also commissioned to do things like physical checks and blood tests and therefore this is also something that they should provide. If they are an online/remote provider, you will need to discuss this fully with them on how to proceed.

If you have started treatment with a private provider, you will either need to:

    • approach the Practice to request a referral to an NHS specialist
    • or continue to receive your treatment directly from your private provider indefinitely

Please note that there may be a significant delay in having your diagnosis reviewed by the NHS team and them agreeing to participate in a shared care agreement. During this time, you will need to continue to receive your treatment directly from your private provider. The Practice is not able or obliged in any way to provide a “bridging” prescription.

Patient Participation Group Meeting Minutes – 18 June 2024

Attendees: Dr Brown, Louise Armstrong, Debbie Bailey (South Durham Health Federation), CC (Age UK) John Kelly, (Social Prescribing Link Worker) GP, MN, MS, AS.

Introductions: Dr Brown introduced himself and explained that today’s meeting would follow a different format as we welcome guest speakers Charles Chapman and John Kelly.

Updates since last meeting:

Dr Brown told members that there has been little change since the last meeting. The main change has been that long standing receptionist Linda had now retired and that we now have 2 new receptionists in post.

John Kelly (Social Prescribing Link Team Lead.)

Dr Brown introduced John to the group. John explained the role of social prescribing link worker and how this service works hand in hand with the 3 GP surgeries in our PCN. John explained that the team can support patients with social issues such as housing, social isolation, debt management etc. Patients can be referred by their GP but can also be referred by other agencies or staff members at the practice. The team then help the patient to identify their needs and signpost them into the correct direction for support. MN asked John how patients know about this service and another PPG member stated this was something they did not know existed. Dr Brown explained that if a patient comes to him and mentions a social problem then he can direct them to John. John explained that posters had been put in all surgery waiting rooms and advertised on social media. John acknowledged that there is a group of patients who do not use social media or come into the surgery that may not be aware of the service and that this was a problem. He explained that this is where CC and the team at AGE UK can help. John also told patients about coffee mornings that are run at Peterlee and Blackhall. John was asked if there were any plans to run one of these at Horden. He explained that Horden had a lot of these already in place but that it was an area that they would be looking at next, to either visit existing groups or set up a group.

AGE UK County Durham

CC introduced himself and explained his role at Age UK County Durham. He explained that one of the projects that Age UK are working in is the Digital Inclusion Programme. This is a service that helps people over the age of 50 with technology training. He explained that they can visit a person’s home and help them to access the internet and train them on safe ways to use this. They offer one to one training and can also visit community groups. It was pointed out that a lot of people will not know about the service and CC acknowledged this and has asked us if we can begin to hand out leaflets to this patient group and explain what they offer.

Actions:

Louise to ask receptionists to actively promote the digital inclusion programme by asking patients if they use the app and if they express that this is difficult for them to signpost to the team.

The next meeting date will be agreed shortly, and we will send this out via text to those with mobile numbers or letters for those who don’t. Please let us know if there is anyone who expresses interest in attending future groups.

Our New Phone System goes Live

**Patient Notice**

On Wednesday 23 October we will be going live with our new phone system. Our new phone system has extra features such as:

    • Patient call back: If we are experiencing a high volume of calls, you may be offered a call back. The system holds your position in the queue and you receive a call back from the practice when you are next in line.
    • Computer system integration: If your telephone number is linked to your practice electronic records, this will help the system to link to your medical notes when you call the practice.

Once implemented further features can be added/removed to enable a smoother service for our patients.

We kindly request your patience at this time 🙏🏻
Thank you

Back to News Page

Mental Health Crisis

There is now a simpler way for people to find the right support in a mental health crisis. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can now call NHS 111 and select option 2 for 24/7 access to crisis mental health support. We’re here for you 24/7

Click below ⇓ to go to our Mental Health Crisis page for more information:

Back to News Page