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I have worked in a physio practice as an associate for nearly 5 years.

On 5th January the owner of the practice advised us that she was shutting the practice on 31st January!

The building is now up for sale.

The owner, a physio, is now going to work as an associate in another physio practice that offers no podiatry provision.

The practice has a steady stream of patients many of whom return every 4 weeks who now have nowhere else to go.

The practice owner wants to charge me ?20 per patient for their contact details for goodwill as I have the option of premises in the same town.

We have contracts but nothing about patients and what happens if we leave or the practice closes.

Would appreciate thoughts and opinions as to whether people think this is reasonable and what they would do in my position.

Many thanks

Dave

 

Hi Dave,
The answer depends on what is written in your contract.

My suggestion is to contact the SCP legal advice line and put the questions to them.

If you're not an SCP Member it would be good money well-spent to take legal advice from a solicitor that specialises in contract law.

IMO it's rip-off and they have a ruddy cheek to even suggest it - :rolleyes:

CF

 

Give the practice owner a polite 'no thanks'. Just have your new cards printed, let those patients you will see know the address of your new practice and ask them to pass the information on. Also use all the promotion techniques that your professional organisation allows you to advertise your new surgery. You'll soon find that all your patients and more will find you.

All the best

Bill Liggins

 

Catfoot and Bill,

You have both given excellent answers.


Simon Ross

 

i recently had asimiliar situation where podiatry provision was going to cease i queitly told all the patients i saw not to worry as i would set up a new practice all the old patients came to me. dont forget they like you not the physio they are not really his patients as once his premises are gone so are the patients. just start thinking they are my patients you treat them and the physio cant sell the list its worthless . good luck good advice from bill.

 

just a thought why not buy the building cheap and run it as a serviced premises for other heathcare providers . dont have associates just rent space . this model of private practace seems to be where all the money is i have colleagues who make more money from the building than seeing patients. ie you earn money in your sleep just like bill gates sadly not as much.

 

What a nerve this physiotherapist has!!!!! How bloody audacious!!!!!
Look, print some flyers, and have Australia post deliver them across a few suburbs. I have done this before, and to use the Australia post unaddressed mail service is really cheap. 20 per patient to access their contact details, outrageous!!!!!
In fact mate, if there is nothing in the contract which relates to restraint or ownership of patient information, I would make copies of the patient details discreetly.. It is you who had built up the podiatry side of the business and it's disgusting that they are trying this on!!!

 

In our area a few years ago a long established podiatrist sold his "book and goodwill' to a young colleague. He sold the premises to some physics.The understanding was that they could cohabit, as it was a large house.

Within a year the physios told the young podiatrist that they needed her clinic space and gave her notice.
She had taken out a loan, had no means of affording a property in the area, and so had to simply close down and move from the area, losing many, many patients along with her investment.
She practically had a breakdown.
I was disgusted by their behaviour towards her, and wrote telling them so.
She has managed to rebuild her life and business, but I am amazed that professional people should behave so badly to one another.

 

Thanks for sharing Elizabeth, that is absolutely disgusting behaviour. A very sad indictment on how professional people can treat each other, indeed. The poor Podiatrist, appalling. Goes to show that you really have to protect yourself in business.

 

Yep just get their details discreetly and see them on your own.