Making Room For Another Health Professional?

Letting out a room in your surgery can be a useful way of generating extra income for your practice, while helping to provide the local community with extra services in one convenient hub.

Many GP’s and dentists take this route, commonly hiring out space to chiropractors, pharmacies, an orthodontist, or a therapist and the system can work well. Certainly the Care Quality Commission (“CQC”)  is assessed and patient experience as part of its inspections of GP surgeries nationwide, so providing your local community with several high quality healthcare services in one care centre can make good sense.

However, there are some important legal considerations to think about before you invite a Third Party Occupier to join you.

Tell your Local Area Team or Health Board - as for GP’s this may affect your Notional Rent.

Be sure that your new tenant – Make sure you check your intended tenant’s qualifications, licences and references carefully before you commit to working alongside them.

Check your lease – Any lease arrangement must operate within the permitted use stipulated by your lease agreement and the local planning authority. Many surgeries are restricted to provide health services alone or dentistry so you would need to be careful about your choice of tenant.

Sign a written agreement – As with any formal agreement it is vital that you set out in writing the rights and responsibilities of both parties before you enter into your partnership or arrangement. It is wise to take on a legal specialist to do this for you. A solicitor who specialises in healthcare will be able to advise you on the appropriate king of agreement for the type of occupation you are planning.