Kingston Smith LLP looks at the impact of the Government’s NHS White Paper

Chartered accountants Kingston Smith LLP recently hosted a seminar, in conjunction with LloydsTSB, examining the implications of the government’s latest NHS White Paper for general practitioners (GPs).

Among the speakers were Paul Samrah, Head of Healthcare at Kingston Smith LLP, and Ian Crompton, Head of Healthcare Banking Services at LloydsTSB Commercial. The guest speaker was Simon Burns, Minister of State for Health and MP for Chelmsford.

Paul explained how under the NHS Operating Framework 2011/12, GP Consortia are expected to work closely with Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to ensure that financial controls are maintained to minimise PCT debts in 2011/12 and 2012/13. According to the framework document: “This will reduce the risk for GP Consortia that they could have responsibility for any post 2010/11 PCT deficit unresolved at the point of PCT abolition.”

However, during the Q&A session at the end of the seminar, Mr Burns explicitly stated that deficits built up by PCTs would not be passed on to GP Consortia when PCTs are finally scrapped in 2013.

Paul commented: “We are delighted that the Minister clarified the position regarding PCT deficits, which has been a major concern for emerging Consortia. I hope that this reassurance resonates far and wide across the country, because up until now, GPs were under the distinct impression that Consortia were going to inherit PCT deficits.”

For further information, contact:

Paul Samrah is Head of Healthcare and a partner at Kingston Smith LLP
Tel: 01737 779 000
Email: psamrah@kingstonsmith.co.uk

PR enquiries:

Layisha Laypang
Tel: 020 7566 3574

Email: llaypang@kingstonsmith.co.uk