BMA launches lease deal template for GPs

The BMA has launched a template lease agreement designed to facilitate local negotiations to reach agreements for premises owned by NHSPS. GP practices that use the template as part of their negotiations between now and 30 November 2017 will see relevant costs incurred, such as stamp duty and a proportion of legal fees, paid for by NHS England. In addition, practices that experience an increase in their service charges as a result of the terms of their new lease can access funding to assist in mitigating the impact of such costs during a transition period while the efficiencies and savings sought by NHSPS (National Health Service Property Services) materialise. BMA GP executive member Brian Balmer hailed the new template as a ‘significant step forward’ but warned that further improvement to GP premises was dependent on the Government fulfilling its plans for investment. He said: ‘This is the first agreed template lease between NHSPS and the BMA. 'It has been produced after considerable negotiation and we believe it allows practices to sign up to individual leases with the confidence that they are entering into a fair and modern relationship with the landlord. ‘There will, of course, always be local issues which need to be resolved and this agreement is not a magic bullet to every problem that arises with GP premises. 'The Government still, for example, needs to deliver on its planned investment in GP infrastructure. 'However, [the agreement] is a...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news