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The work and organisation of the Private Practice Committee

2008-2009

The Private Practice Committee is the BMA Committee that deals with matters of direct concern to the profession in the field of private general and consulting practice (whether whole or part-time).

Relationships in the private sector are much less formalised than in the NHS and involve many more stakeholders (hospital groups, insurers, intermediaries, trade associations and other professional groups with an interest in the sector).

Income from private practice for those consultants who undertake this work is equivalent to approximately 50% of NHS income, and private practice income is under great threat.

Growth in the private sector has remained fairly static, and many private medical insurance companies have attempted to find ways of cutting their costs rather than attempting to grow the market, with the result that consultants’ fees from private medical practice have been constrained.

The current agenda for the Private Practice Committee is very extensive and involves a number of matters fundamental to private practitioners' continuing ability to practice. Essentially, every policy development in the NHS has a parallel in the private sector.

Contacting the PPC
You should address queries to askBMA in the first instance. However, if there is an issue that you would like to raise with the Private Practice Committee you should email the PPC Secretariat on info.privatepractice@bma.org.uk