Legal Support
GPDF provides funding for LMCs to protect and strengthen general practice, including legal support when a case could have significant implications for general practice, particularly at a national level.
Our process below has been established to provide fair allocation of funds.
Criteria for Applications
We prioritise cases with significant implications for general practice, assessing factors like success likelihood and political importance.
Areas which are excluded from potential support by GPDF include:
- Criminal matters
- Libel / slander / defamation
- Professional performance issues
- Request where the practice or LMC is not contributing to the GPDF quota to the satisfaction of the board
- Commercial issues where there is no point of principle applicable more widely
- Representation in relation to HMRC enquires
- Issues related to NHS Pensions and NHS Pension providers
- Issues outside England, Scotland or Wales
- Issues covered by BMA
- Representation of a GP appearing ‘in front of’ medical practitioners tribunals
Please note, support may be offered by the GPDF to GPs and/or Practices via an LMC ‘sponsor’, with engagement of the LMC (i.e. support will not normally be provided directly to an individual GP without the knowledge or involvement the appropriate LMC).
How to Apply
If you would like to apply for support from GPDF relating to a legal matter, please complete the form.
It would be helpful if the enquiry were to address the eligibility criteria in the Policy.
Please email the completed form to applications@gpdf.org.uk
For the full GPDF guide on submitting an application for Legal Support please follow the guide.
After you Apply
We aim for a decision within 28 days of receiving your request, keeping you informed throughout the process.
If your request is rejected or misclassified, you have the option to appeal within 28 days of the decision.
You can count on our ongoing support and liaison throughout your legal journey.
Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance or referrals to other supporting organisations.
Contact
For enquiries, access to the application, or application submission, contact applications@GPDF.org.uk.
Case studies
A dispute between Littlewick Medical Centre, a levy paying practice of Derby & Derbyshire LMC, and NHS England over reimbursement claims for Childhood immunisations was settled with the support of the GPDF.
NHS England had withheld payment on the basis that the practice had not used the correct system for claiming. After Derby & Derbyshire LMC took up this case on behalf of the practice, legal representation and costs were supported by the GPDF. Further to legal discussions, a GPDF-funded solicitor successfully secured a decision from the Family Health Services Appeal Unit in favour of Littlewick Medical Centre, ruling that NHS England’s communication of the system change had been insufficient.
A full reimbursement of £27,000 was made to Littlewick Medical Centre by NHS England. The GPDF’s support and financial backing for this case were critical in achieving a successful outcome, clearly demonstrating how the GPDF can support individual GP practices with specific cases, that build legal precedent for practices everywhere.
GPDF has provided the resources to Paul Cundy to develop a useful guidance for all GP practices on their GDPR obligations. GPDF commissioned its lawyers to work with Paul on the development of information packs for LMCs to help prepare them for the introduction of GDPR.
This was followed by a series of workshops for LMCs, both event-based and by webinar, to provide further information and an opportunity for questions and answers. At these sessions, further advice was provided to LMCs on how they should guide their constituent practices.
GPDF was aware that the current Regulations and SFE in England are set out in diverse publications. Confirming an interpretation can be time consuming because reference to several documents is needed, many of which may amend a previous amendment.
A firm of experienced solicitors in the regulatory and legal areas were commissioned to produce a consolidated set of Regulations for General and Personal Medical Services, the Performers List and the SFE.
With positive feedback from the initial consolidated documents, we have entered into an agreement with DR Solicitors to update the documents annually. Copies will be made available to LMCs to assist their GPs and practices.