The General Practitioner (GP) partnership agreement is a legal document that sets out the terms and conditions of a partnership between two or more GPs who wish to work together as a team in providing healthcare services. This agreement is crucial to ensure that all partners are on the same page and there is a clear-cut understanding of their responsibilities and obligations.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has developed a template partnership agreement for GP practices to use as a starting point. This template agreement is designed to be flexible, enabling practices to tailor the document to meet their specific needs. The BMA partnership agreement covers a range of areas, including:
1. The duration of the partnership – the document outlines the length of the partnership, including the start date and end date.
2. The partnership structure – the agreement outlines the structure of the partnership, including details of the number of partners, the roles and responsibilities of each partner, and how decisions will be made.
3. Finance and accounts – the agreement outlines how finances will be managed, including details of how profits and losses will be split between partners, how the practice will be funded, and how accounts will be managed.
4. Property and assets – the agreement outlines how property will be owned and how ownership will be transferred if a partner leaves the practice.
5. Retirement and dissolution – the agreement outlines what will happen when a partner retires or leaves the practice, and how the practice will be dissolved if necessary.
It is essential to note that a partnership agreement is a legal document, and as such, it is critical to seek legal advice before signing it. A solicitor or legal advisor can provide guidance on legal implications and any potential risks to the partners.
The GP partnership agreement is essential in ensuring that all partners understand the terms and conditions of their partnership and their responsibilities and obligations. The agreement provides a clear outline of the structure of the partnership, including details of how decisions will be made, how finances will be managed, and how property and assets will be owned. By using the BMA template partnership agreement, GP practices can save time and ensure that they have a solid foundation for their partnership.
