Partners - Retiring and New

This page is used with kind permission by Wessex LMCs

gp leaver gp leaving gp joining new to practice leaving practice

Retiring Partners Checklist

We are often asked who needs to be notified when a Partner retires from the Practice, so we put together some useful information below.

The Adam Practice, has very kindly shared this comprehensive check list for retiring partners for you to download (which we have updated to reflect organisational changes).

Who to notify includes. . .

• The Area Team
• The CCG
• The Superannuation Division
• The practice accountant
• CQC
• Medical Defence Organisation
• Patients of their named GP as the retiring partner (this can be opportunistically)
• Primary Care Support England.

Retirement can take one of the following four options. . .

• Retiring from the partnership and the Medical Performers List (MPL)
• Retiring from the partnership, not taking 24 hour retirement and staying on the MPL to do non partnership work
• Taking 24 hour retirement and returning to the partnership (still on the MPL)
• Retiring from the partnership, taking 24 retirement and returning to non - partnership work (still on the MPL)

Remaining on the Performers List. . . 

If remaining on the performers list account needs to be taken of the following:

• If they wish to return to work in the NHS then they are limited to 16hrs per week for a month after that date (instead of the old 24hrs).  This has been amended in light of Covid - further information can be found on our pensions page
• They need agreement from partners on the terms return to the partnership (this can sometimes cause issues) e.g. hours worked, voting rights etc.
• The returning partner needs to make sure the agreement includes that they receive both elements of the superannuation payments on return (employees and employers)
• It is a contractual right under GMS
• The Area team should be consulted at the earliest opportunity and involved throughout
• They may, of course, wish to remain on the performers list in order to undertake locum work

The Performers List is now managed via PCSE online on behalf of NHSE. This process requires both practices and GPs to be signed up to PCSE Online.  It is advisable for the GP to take action in informing PCSE at least. 3 months prior to the event. Problems often occur because the individual GP does not start the ball rolling earlier enough.

For CQC there is a lengthy process to follow so complete the form for an outgoing partner as soon as possible:

http://www.cqc.org.uk/organisations-we-regulate/gps-and-primary-medical-services/registering-cqc-information-gps-and-ot-21  

New Partners Checklist

If a new partner is joining the practice the process to add the new partner should be started as soon as possible as this can take some time as s/he will need a DBS check counter signed by CQC which can take a while so worth getting ahead on it:

http://www.cqc.org.uk/organisations-we-regulate/registering-first-time/criminal-record-checks

It is also necessary to check that a new partner (of any type) has indemnity when joining the practice.

The Adam Practice has shared their new partner check list which you may find useful.

Pension Forms

To find out the actions you need to take for retiring GPs in relation to their pension, information can be found on the PCSE website. It is advisable to start this process approximately 4 to 6 months before the intended retirement date to enable PCSE to process the application, and to allow enough time for NHS Pensions to make the necessary payment arrangements.

Forms need to be submitted through the PCSE online enquiries form, selecting type of enquiry as "GP Pensions".

If you have any queries regarding this and you would like to speak with PCSE their contact number is: 0333 014 2884

Working After Retirement

NHS Pension Scheme: Working After Retirement Factsheet