A guide for GP partners managing the risk of being the ‘last man standing’

A common question we see from GP practices concerns the risks for the partner likely to be the last one or two left holding the lease. All the other partners have been able to retire and walk away from the liability, but can they?

There is some comfort on this issue from the new Premises Cost Directions which came into force on 10 May 2024. The new directions envisage a protocol under which NHS England ‘may’ recommend an assignment of your lease to a nominee body. We will have to wait and see how this will play out in practice.

However, there are already plenty of options for the partner in this position as Jennifer Lewis explains in her article, Last man standing: what GP partners need to know about managing your lease.

Contact Jennifer if you require support managing your lease.