The online forum of the LCA

This site should be of primary interest to all those concerned about the changes occurring in private practice and the trend towards insurance company led "managed care". It is also a site for news about all healthcare issues (NHS and Private) with links to London independent hospitals, a registry of consultants and a forum for interchange of views.

Latest

A Press Release from HMRC over Non-Compliant Consultants - January 2010... HMRC have asked the Board of LCA to make our membership aware of this press release about tax non compliance. Click here to read this press release

Upcoming Events

Dinner with Mr. Andrew Lansley CBE MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health as guest speaker... The LCA in conjunction with FIPO will be holding another private dinner for consultants at the Athenaeum on the 2nd March 2010... more details

Meet the Insurers... The LCA announces another meeting with the main insurers to be held on 21st April 2010 at the Kings Fund, in London. More details about this meeting will follow shortly.

Developing Your Private Practice... There will be a meeting on the 18th March 2010 in Portland Place, London devoted to aspects of practice development...more details

Revalidation Appraisal - Practical Implications for All Consultants... Meeting on Wednesday 3rd March 2010 at the The King’s Fund, 11–13 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0AN commencing with a buffet supper at 6 pm. more details

Recent Events

Establishing and Developing Your Private Practice - 14th November 2009...This meeting organised by PPM and in conjunction with the LCA took place at the BMA on the 14th November 2009. It was attended by some 80 consultants from around the UK who heard a variety of speakers from various fields including medicine, accountancy and law who described the threats and pitfalls of private practice as well as the methods of optimising a successful practice.

Revalidation in the Independent Sector - A Meeting on 24th November 2009... Many consultants are contacting the LCA about Revalidation. The situation is becoming clearer but there are still many unanswered questions about strengthened appraisal, multisource feedback and the role of the Responsible Officer. The LCA will be active in helping members in this matter. All this will be discussed in more detail at an all day meeting to be held on 24th November 2009 at the Royal College of Physicians in Regents Park, London. more details

A meeting entitled ‘Gearing Up For Success’ was held on Thursday 17th September 2009 in conjunction with the Royal Bank of Scotland, Stanbridge Associaties Ltd and Gross & Co. Solicitors. This meeting dealt with a variety of tax and commercial issues surrounding private practice... more details

“Anti-Aging – Wellness Strategies and Advanced Rejuvenation Treatments”... this medical secretaries meeting took place on Thursday 16th July... more information

News in Brief

BMI and Nuffield Health cut radiologists fees - February 2009... BMI and Nuffield hospitals have simultaneously announced a cut back in radiologists fees...more information

For news updates on Managed Care and other issues...visit the FIPO website

Doctors and Fraud... More allegations against consultants and the creation of a database for private medical insurers are discussed... here...

Healthcare Commission - New regulatory Fees and Consultation over the future of Independent Healthcare - April 2008... The Healthcare Commission has written to us about their new charges and has also invited comments about the future regulation of the independent sector. Please go to the members’ area for a recent update and briefing.

“BUPA and AXA/PPP Networks in Ophthalmology and Orthopaedics - Updated News April 2008”... The AXA/PPP ophthalmic network is floundering in the London as very few small hospitals are currently recognised and all major independents, including Moorfields’ private wing, are not recognised. This has caused considerable distress to patients and consultants alike. It is hoped that AXA/PPP will soon be negotiating further packages with hospitals, but, at the moment, there has been no direct approach to consultants.

The BUPA network for ophthalmology has largely folded, but BUPA are now approaching groups of orthopaedic surgeons to try and set up local arrangements with specific care plans. Details of this are unclear”. For more detailed in formation please click here...

“BUPA Insurance Purchases the Cromwell Hospital - March 2008”... Last year, BUPA insurance divested itself of all its hospitals, which have now changed their name to Spire Health. Spire has now altered its strategy considerably, having come out from under the BUPA umbrella. However, BUPA has just announced that it would be purchasing the Cromwell Hospital, and you may see this announcement by clicking here...

The LCA Board will be considering this matter and the implications that it has for consultants, and will be writing to London-based consultants with their view in due course. The obvious concerns are that BUPA Insurance could use this hospital to promote its agenda of directed care although we understand that BUPA have assured consultants that there is to be no change in current policy.

The Healthcare Commission Rules of Inspection of Private Consulting Rooms... Many consultants have had their problems during the inspection of their private consulting rooms by the Healthcare Commission. The LCA, along with others, has protested about these somewhat over-rigorous inspections. A consultation group with the Healthcare Commission has been set up and the LCA sits on that body. There are now some changes to the inspection process, which will benefit all consultants, in particular those with a NHS appointment.

More articles are available through our news archive...

Consultant listings

Are you looking for a medical consultant in the London area? Use this facility to search for consultants by speciality or medical condition... click here...