IDF Position Statement on the impact of increased employer national insurance contributions on GP practices and Independent Healthcare Practices.

Wednesday 27th November 2024

In response to the 2024 Labour Autumn Budget, we are calling on the government to include GP practices and independent healthcare practices in the organisations exempt from the increased employer national insurance contributions (NICs).

We believe that the UK has one healthcare system made up of public and private healthcare providers. For the effective and efficient management of the health of the population, both sectors need to work together and receive government support. Failure to adopt this ‘one system’ approach will lead to underutilised private sector resources and an overburdened NHS.  

We acknowledge the rationale behind exempting the NHS from the increased rates of employer NICs: to ensure that NHS capacity and resources are protected. However, the failure to extend this exemption to GP practices and independent healthcare practices, belies the essential role these organisations play in delivering critical healthcare services and effectively frames them as a separate healthcare system.

GPs practices and independent healthcare practices are a vital component of the healthcare system, providing necessary care, reducing the strain on NHS resources and supporting patient access to timely medical services. The employer NIC increases will impose a significant financial burden on these organisations, many of which are smaller practices with limited resources compared to larger NHS facilities. This risks impacting their ability to deliver services effectively and care for patients accessing private medical treatment due to increased operational costs.

The IDF seeks to empower our community of independent doctors to achieve greater freedom and excellence in patient care. We echo the calls of other representative bodies which urge policymakers to reconsider this decision and make assurances that GP practices and independent healthcare practices would be given the same protections as the NHS and the public sector.

We encourage our doctors and their colleagues to write to their local MPs, emphasising the need for equitable support for all healthcare providers.

To access resources for contacting your MP, please click here.

 

Case Study 6 .pdf

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