FIPO

Private Practice reopening – 7th September It has been 5 months since the start of COVID-19 lockdown and for 5 months private practice has been held in suspension with many independent practitioners and their employees in financial distress, without work but most importantly and pressing, colossal waiting lists of patients who have not had access […]

“Health insurance ‘worthless if patients can’t access treatment’.” FIPO latest in The Times – Monday 13th July 2020 FIPO’s Chairman, Mr Richard Packard, spoke recently with Mr Andrew Ellson about the underutilisation of beds during this COVID-19 pandemic. Please read further for the full article.   Medical insurance risks becoming worthless because of the difficulties […]

LATEST COVID-19 and Private Practice future News – featuring FIPO  INDEPENDENT PRACTITIONER TODAY “Plenty of pizzas, but a paucity of private care,” Mr Richard Packard, FIPO Chair The waiting lists for patients are growing each day and delays in diagnoses are increasing – access to private care is restricted. As the government relaxes lock-down we are seeing garden centres […]

Support to help you manage patients’ expectations during the COVID-19 outbreak FIPO is working with all sectors to support both doctors and patients during this pandemic by keeping them informed with up-to-date information. Please see below a message from Bupa regarding access to care via their online directory, Bupa Finder. MESSAGE FROM DR LUKE JAMES, […]

Advice from accountants Sandison Lang – Questions to consider during this Corona virus pandemic Q: I am VAT registered. What is happening about VAT liabilities? A: You will still need to submit your VAT returns in the usual way and by the normal deadlines. However, the payments due between 20 March and 30 June 2020 are […]

COVID-19: Considerations for purely private consultants contemplating offers of short-term employment Many consultants have relinquished their private practice during the current emergency to return to support the NHS fulltime. Private providers have entered into contractual relationships with the Treasury whereby their facilities are NHS managed to support the treatment of patients diagnosed with COVID-19, and to […]

Be COVID-19 aware – need to know A recent paper in the Journal of Hospital Infection entitled “Persistence of Coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents,” [104(2020)246-251] provides some information of practical use. The authors conclude that Human coronaviruses can remain infectious on inanimate surfaces for up to 9 days. Surface disinfection with 0.1% sodium […]

COVID-19 Update  – statement from the FIPO Chairman, Mr. Richard Packard On behalf of the Federation of Independent Practitioner Organisations Executive, I would like to extend our thoughts to everyone in this time of uncertainty and trauma, particularly our gratitude to those working tirelessly across all sectors to combat the virus, tend to those suffering […]

UPDATE: The Paterson Report February 2020 The publication of the Report into the Paterson Inquiry marks an important landmark towards improving patient safety. The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt. Rev’d Graham James, has led a meticulous two-year investigation into the mistreatment by Ian Paterson of NHS (Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust) and private patients, […]

“Insurers overrule consultants on best treatment for patients”, The Times – 18th November 2019 An interview with FIPO Chair, Mr. Richard Packard On the 18th November 2019 FIPO’s Chair, Richard Packard spoke with The Times’ Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Andrew Ellson about the Private Medical Insurers increasing interference with patient choice, referral pathways and relationships with […]