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The PPC (private practice committee) considers and reports on matters of concern to those working in private general and consulting practice.
The committee engages with key stakeholders in private healthcare to represent the views of the profession. This includes private medical insurers, private hospitals providers, royal colleges and specialty associations.
Our priorities
Private medical insurers (PMIs)
The PPC remains very concerned about the actions of some PMIs and their influence on the private healthcare market and has been holding negotiations and policy meetings with PMIs for the last few years to try to address issues raised by members such as the fees assured mechanism, the open referral system and top up fees all of which is affecting patient choice and quality of care. The PPC continues to work hard behind the scenes to restore a more equitable and productive relationship between consultants, patients and insurers.
Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
Since the CMA’s 2014 Private Healthcare Market Investigation, which concluded certain features within private healthcare markets were leading to adverse effects on competition, private practitioner fees have been driven down further and further. Unfortunately, current legal advice is that it is entirely lawful for insurers to limit the amount they will pay to a consultant in the same way that they can limit what they are willing to pay to any other supplier. PPC will work with the CMA on the effect of this on the patient.
Private hospital groups
PPC also hold biannual negotiations and policy meetings with private hospitals groups. The groups negotiate separately with PMIs and their fees have risen every year with inflation but this is not reflected in doctors’ reimbursement. PPC also engages with private hospitals regarding the practising privileges agreements which are often one sided. Doctors build their reputation and the hospitals brand, yet this can be removed summarily.
Private practice conference
PPC hold an annual hybrid conference (virtually and in person at BMA House). It looks at the ‘ins and outs’ of private practice from the logistics of setting up a private practice for the first time to making sure established practitioners reach their maximum potential. All delegates attend the morning plenary session and as part of the afternoon programme, delegates can attend sessions on primary or secondary care. BMA members are eligible for reduced registration fees.
Stakeholder meetings
The PPC will continue to lobby relevant stakeholders to improve terms and conditions for doctors engaged in private practice. The committee will continue to hold meetings with key stakeholders including Private Healthcare Information Network ( PHIN), Independent Healthcare Provider Network (IHPN), Association of Anaesthetists, Federation of Independent Practitioner Organisations (FIPO), Independent Doctors Federation ( IDF) and Psychiatry-UK.
Resident Doctors
PPC will continue to support resident doctors in the independent sector.
Other Jurisdictions – Isle of Man
PPC continue to engage with situation on the Isle of Man regarding the closure of the private wing at the Noble Hospital which was suddenly announced without prior consultation with colleagues.
Our people
Chair: Dr Jennifer Yell
Deputy Chairs:
Dr Shaima Villait (primary care)
Mr Shanks T K Sankar (secondary care)
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Our meetings
The committee three times a year to discuss latest issues affecting private medical practice. These meetings are open to committee members only.
Meeting dates 2024-25:
- Thursday 17 October 2024, hybrid (in person and online via Microsoft Teams)
- Thursday 13 March 2025, virtual
- Thursday 12 June 2025, hybrid
All our meetings take place either virtually or at:
BMA House
Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9JP
For more information please email us.
Conference
The PPC conference will be held on Friday 14 November 2025.
How to join
There are many advantages to becoming involved in our committees. You can actively influence BMA policy-making and negotiations, represent your colleagues' voices and develop your leadership skills.
Each committee has a few routes to becoming an elected member. In the case of PPC, these are:
- Seats/term - every year, elections for eight seats on PPC take place for a one-session term.
- Timeline - elections take place in June or July.
- Eligibility - all BMA members who meet the specified criteria for each seat are eligible to stand and vote in these elections. The criteria will be specified in the section below when elections are open.
- Seats/term - every year, elections for one seat on PPC take place for a one-session term.
- Timeline - the nomination period opens a month before ARM, and voting closes a few days after ARM.
- Eligibility - all UK private practice doctors who are BMA members can stand for election but only ARM delegates can vote.
The election section below is kept up to date with details about any running elections, so make sure you keep checking it throughout the year.
Elections
Elections to PPC are now closed.
Get in touch
If you have any questions or would like to find out more about the work of the PPC, please email [email protected]
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