Free money - a £5,000 grant
This grant is only available to GP practices, all other providers have to self-finance their compliance issues.
For practices that are put under special measures, NHS England and the RCGP have agreed a £5,000 grant and a 68 page framework to help GP Practices to get back on their feet, but there are some conditions attached.
- You don’t get the cash, the RCGP gets it, and you have to match this with your own £5,000, so the RCGP get £10,000 in total. Still, you are getting £10,000 worth of services for half price.
- The RCGP has its own conditions attached to this, and here is a quick summary
- All payments to the RCGP are up front
- If you get other independent support on top, these consultants “must” liaise with the RCGP
- There are no warranties or guarantees
- You cannot get a refund if you feel the project was ineffective
The contract is a fixed fee contract but can be terminated by the RCGP on various grounds.
A refund may be made for unused time, although it is unclear how a fixed price contract will then be adjusted on a time charge methodology.
There no indication in the contract of staff seniority and hourly rates.
Compared to Legal and Consultancy firms:-
Legal firms are bound by regulations to full disclosure of expected charges, and have to keep you informed of changes throughout the assignment. In addition, you are protected by a dispute procedure; a regulatory body; and an ombudsman to whom you can take your compliant to. If the firm proves incompetent, you have contractual and legal remedies for independent costing, refund and damages.
Helpful chart published by the CQC
