It is fast becoming clear that the Network Agreement that all PCNs must have in place and which must be signed by all practices involved is not simply a ‘rubber stamp’ exercise and could have serious implications for the future function of a PCN.Justin Cumberlege, a partner at Hempsons which is a national firm with significant experience in General Practice, recently told GP Online that network agreements are legally binding contracts and skimping over the detail could lead to misunderstandings, and at worst disputes and claims in the future. He encouraged GP partners to reduce the risk of individual liability by ensuring ‘all partners’ involved in a network are signed up to a contract that ‘binds the partnership’. This is no minor matter. Timing is tight; network agreements must be in place (with other paperwork) for a 30th June deadline and this does not leave a great amount of time to digest and agree something which could affect how a PCN operates.

The significance is that PCNs are the only way to ensure access to the proposed DES and also the new network services, which are likely to account for the bulk of the new monies promised under the new GP contract framework. There are also very significant potential issues surrounding employment law and VAT depending on the structure used to manage the PCN.

GPs need to be very aware of the issues that surround this essential step and should take appropriate advice. Tanza Partners is able to give a full range of such advice and can draw up and execute an an appropriate network agreement that is tailor-made for any group of practices. Please get in touch to find out more.

John Tacchi
07780 956850
john.tacchi@tanza.co.uk