Health & social care
Performance/contract management
Performers list procedure
Our dedicated Primary Care team can handle all aspects of the management of performers and pharmaceutical lists and advising on the relationship between PCTs and doctors, dentists, pharmacists and optometrists. This ranges from dealing with applications to join a relevant list and the grounds on which it can be refused, through to the suspension and ultimately removal, contingent removal and national disqualification of a practitioner.
We have a lot of experience of successfully supporting PCTs through the appeal process before the First Tier Tribunal (formerly the FHSAA) and we advise our PCT clients on all stages of the investigatory process, including obtaining measurable evidence of poor performance, obtaining witness statements and supporting witnesses through what can often be a stressful process.
Contractual management
We have often advised PCTs on how to use the contractual relationship with independent contractors in order to improve the quality of services that are provided. So we are accustomed to dealing with matters such as:
- Serving remedial and/or breach notices
- Terminating the contract in the event of a serious breach and advising on any resulting TUPE, premises and consultation issues
- Imposing contract penalties
We are also used to successfully representing PCTs in hearings before the FHSAU.
In conclusion
The frameworks governing different types of primary care contracts and their operation may require detailed scrutiny. We can provide the primary care expertise needed by PCTs when dealing with difficult performance, advising on how to use the contracts to address any concerns and thus ensuring the continuing provision of a high quality service to patients.
Performance/contract management partners
James Reynolds
Mark Whiting