Updated April 21: NHSPS SERVICE CHARGES DISPUTE (England)
The BMA supported five GP practices to bring a legal challenge against NHSPS try to clarify the legal basis for NHSPS’s dramatic increases in how service charges are calculated. The BMA now continues to support the same practices to defend legal proceedings brought against them by NHSPS in response to their claims. It is extremely concerning that NHSPS - a company owned by the Department of Health and Social Care - are pursuing this course at a time when frontline doctors are facing a national health crisis.
Through the legal action, NHSPS have admitted that they cannot rely on the Charging Policy in isolation as a legal basis to increase charges- as we have said all along. As set out in a letter to practices, the BMA now recommends that GP practices facing similar demands for increased service charges that have not been explained to these five practices should insist that NHSPS provide a full explanation of the legal and factual basis on which their charges have been increased. To assist practices, GPC have prepared a template letter for you to amend as appropriate and send to NHSPS.