Saving The Ultimate GP Resource – Time & Money

A GP can work in isolation and have full responsibility for building related issues, but why not share the load?

Practice managers and GPs already have busy days and to exacerbate that with building complications means having to take time out to deal with extra issues that are unforeseen and always unwanted.

Time is not a plentiful resource for GPs. In a Royal College of GPs (RCGP) report, there was a 19% increase in GP consultations in England between 2008/09 and 2013/14. During this period, the number of family doctors throughout the UK increased by only 4.1%.

 

Creating A Prompt Support Mechanism

When something goes wrong, someone needs to be there that can offer expertise and more importantly reassurance.

Zoe Dunne, Property Manager for Charles Higgins Partnership believes that GPs and Practice Managers, “Need a resource to talk to.”

“Many GPs leave responsibilities to Practice Managers and some do not know where to start with building related issues and that is completely understandable. Being a skilled Practice Manager does not necessarily mean a skilled property professional.”

“Sourcing an appropriate builder, plumber, roofer can be a time intensive exercise. We support by providing more experience in building related matters. All it needs is a conversation.

 

The Daily Focus – GP Surgery Maintenance

Under many leases, surgeries are required to have a contract in place for the servicing of boilers (plus air conditioning, regular window maintenance and gutter cleaning, to name but a few). Recognising the need for a planned approach to the property management, can give access to the ‘right’ trades to deal with emergencies swiftly.

Zoe has had to deal with cars driving into buildings she manages and this does present a serious issue to deal with. Structural investigation from the right type of surveyor to ensure any structural movement does not compromise the building later in its life.

Throughout the UK, accidents do happen and surgeries can face significant disruption. The damage to a building can have an ongoing impact on the practice, which we want to minimalise by organising works effectively and in a timely manor.

Zoe highlights, “A company who is managing a building has a duty of care to those who interact with the building on a daily basis to try and reduce disruption.

Our duty of care represents our commitment to longevity and a responsibility, not a case of out of sight, out of mind. In the long run, time and money is saved by actioning repairs in the right way from a team who have the correct resources and network and requires sufficient attention to detail. Something that GPs and Practice Managers might appreciate handing over to a trusted source. So they can focus on their busy daily schedule and interaction with patients.

 

Creating A Long Term Resource Network

Zoe highlights, “The practices we work with understand that we are there for the long term to work with them. We provide the best possible premises for them, then we have an interest in the wellbeing of a surgery. We care about the whole package.”

“The Charles Higgins team have always maintained that they would rather spend more at the beginning to ensure the quality the building, and believe that this is important as there are then less running costs for the practice and the building is a generational resource for the community and true value for money.”

“Time and attention spent during the design phase means less interruption when expansion is required” to quote Phillip Proctor.

“Every surgery requires support to assist and provide property expertise when needed. This is not just for peace of mind for the key members of the practice, but the continuum of Charles Higgins Partnership activity, they believe the practice, is a long standing part of a community, and not just for a defined amount of time.”

 

Lets Round Up

The focus for GPs and Practice Managers is the wellbeing of the patient community and efficient running of the surgery. Unexpected property issues can destroy a well ordered day. By having a planned property management structure in place with dedicated support will alleviate much of the stress that these issues can cause.

Is it time for you to have a conversation to determine if you have a good sustainable management plan in place?

Give Zoe a call on 01202 744990 or email zoe@charleshiggins.co.uk