Future Proofing

Future Proofing GP Practices with Succession Planning

The practices in the strategic alliance are single-handed medical practices.  Historically, these practices were funded for one or more salaried doctors, but was not allowed to use that funding to take on any partners.  The HSCP has confirmed that the practices will be allowed to become partnerships.
 

It is important to prevent the practices from becoming vacant in the unlikely event that anything should happen to the principal GP. 

 

Therefore, the development & implementation of a practice succession plan for the future, when Dr Coull will eventually retire (after 2035) will be a priority.

 

The practice already has a long term system in place whereby the Practice Manager, the salaried doctor, and regular locum doctors can continue to provide a continuation of care to surgery patients in the event of illness, or incapacitation, of the practice principal.

As a result of the above, plans to identify & recruit young like-minded GPs who have an interest in developing the necessary management skills required to run and contribute to the development of the practice are underway.  

Strachur Medical Practice has created a Rural Fellow GP training post which has already successfully attracted GPs (and medical students) to train in remote and rural working.  This will help attract more GPs to remote and rural areas, and hopefully help attract a GP partner to the practice.