Skip to content

Major conference to help set the agenda on GP Federations

A MAJOR national conference on the future for GP practices is taking place this autumn.

Organised by Top 100 UK law firm Ward Hadaway with BW Medical Accountants and Scott McKenzie UK Ltd, the National GP Federation Showcase 2015 will help to set the agenda on a rapidly changing area of the healthcare sector.

The event, which takes place at Manchester Town Hall on October 15, is being chaired by the acclaimed Dr James Kingsland OBE, a leading authority in general practice who has advised Ministers, the Government and the Department of Health.

GP federations are at the heart of major changes in the UK healthcare landscape and the National GP Federation Showcase will take an in-depth look at a range of topics affecting the general practice sector in the context of the NHS five-year plan and the New Models of Care agenda.

Members of federations from around the country will share their experiences via a series of case studies and there will also be a perspective on the role that GP federations can play from an acute Trust.

Alison Oliver

Alison Oliver

Alison Oliver, Associate in the GP and Dental Practices team at Ward Hadaway, said: “The showcase has been designed as a perfect opportunity for GP federations and practices considering federating to get real insight into topical issues involved, not just from legal and financial experts in the field, but also from those who have ‘seen it and done it’.

“GP federations are an increasingly important part of the healthcare picture across the UK and this event will hopefully help to set the agenda on the issue, as well as acting as a focus for professionals to learn more about what federating involves and what effects it can have.

“The line-up which we have assembled, including the presence of Dr James Kingsland OBE to chair the showcase, makes it a real must-attend event for a wide range of people involved in general practice and the wider healthcare sector.”

Alison, who will be speaking at the showcase, has a wealth of experience advising GP practices and GP federations on a range of issues and has lectured and run seminars around the country for healthcare professionals on legal issues in their sector.

Fellow speaker Scott McKenzie has worked in the healthcare sector for over 17 years and is widely recognised as a leading provider of specialist support to developing GP federations.

Scott, director of Scott McKenzie UK Ltd, said: “The showcase provides an ideal opportunity for those who are interested in federating, and equally for those that have already formed, to have all their questions answered, while learning from those who are already well established, of the opportunities and pitfalls to avoid.”

Showcase chair Dr James Kingsland is the Senior Partner in a nationally renowned, award-winning General Practice in the North West and non-executive director of Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust.

He has regularly worked as a GP advisor to Ministers, Government and the Department of Health, as well as being President of the National Association of Primary Care and Clinical Lead for the National Primary Care Network.

Dr Kingsland said: ” An unintended but important consequence of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 has been to focus primary carers much more on the provision rather than the commissioning of care.

“Primary Care Federation development is now a key feature for the developing landscape of out of hospital care. This conference will explore the purpose for creating federations and scan the horizon for the future of these organisations.”

BW Medical Accountants delivers specialist accountancy and taxation services to over 85 GP practices and hundreds of healthcare professionals.

Keith Taylor, Head of Medical Services / Managing Director at BW Medical Accountants, who will be speaking at the showcase, said: “The need for GP practices to federate in order to protect income has never been stronger given the constant squeeze on primary care funding and the increase in enhanced service contracts being put out to tender.

“This event is an ideal opportunity for GP practices, both those already operating as a federation or moving towards collaboration, to learn from live cases and share experiences. The speakers will bring vast knowledge and enthusiasm to what will be a productive day.”

The National GP Federation Showcase takes place at Manchester Town Hall on Wednesday 15 October from 9.30am to 4pm.

For more details on the event and to book your place, please click here.

Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.

This page may contain links that direct you to third party websites. We have no control over and are not responsible for the content, use by you or availability of those third party websites, for any products or services you buy through those sites or for the treatment of any personal information you provide to the third party.

Follow us on LinkedIn

Keep up to date with all the latest updates and insights from our expert team

Take me there

What we're thinking