That’s the advice I would give my partners, if I were still a Practice Manager.
I’d be suggesting they start a second business, a private practice, outside of and away from their NHS practice.
I always see it as a business, and NHS general practice is no longer a good business, and it won’t be adequately funded anytime soon.
NHS general practice is also painfully hard to work in.
Alongside this private primary care is a growing market, and increasingly patients will choose, or have to choose, private care.
My advice…
Open your private practice now, early on in this developing market, and build a presence.
Diversify to create some new revenue streams, that can help sustain the NHS general practice.
Create a less pressured environment to spend some of the working time for a more sustainable and enjoyable working life.
Who knows, in 5-10 years it could even be the main focus or something to sell and get a good return on.
A practice manager should always be happy to give the business and strategic advice, however controversial it might feel. It might be that their partners can’t see or don’t want to see a situation, and need their practice manager to do this, proposing options, and being the critical friend.
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