Let’s clear this up straight away - you cannot sell goodwill in an NHS GP practice with a registered patient list. Goodwill refers to things like:
These might feel valuable, but NHS rules say you’re not allowed to sell them. If you hold a GMS or PMS contract, goodwill has no sale value.
✅ You can sell your premises, equipment, and fixtures.
❌ You can’t sell your patient list, relationships, or reputation.
This isn’t always easy to hear, but many practices are worth less than expected. Why?
That doesn’t mean your practice isn’t worth anything, but it does mean it’s important to understand what really drives its financial value.
Here’s what’s usually included in a proper valuation:
✅ Premises - Freehold or leasehold value of the building
✅ Fixtures and equipment - Furniture, medical devices, IT systems
✅ Capital accounts - Drawings owed, partner investments, liabilities
✅ Staff costs and contracts - Part of due diligence
✅ CQC ratings - Not a financial asset, but affects buyer confidence
✅ Contractual structure - PMS or GMS status, PCN obligations, service delivery
Premises are often the biggest part of your practice’s value. Here's what affects it:
Archvale can help purchase your practice premises as part of a wider succession or transition plan, giving you flexibility and peace of mind.
Whether it's a partner, merger, or group like Archvale, buyers are thinking long-term. Here’s what really matters to them:
Here are the common approaches to valuing a GP practice:
Add up what you own: premises, fixtures, and capital - then subtract what you owe.
A formal valuation of your premises by a chartered surveyor.
This is rare, but helpful if there’s a comparable sale nearby with similar premises.
This isn’t a job for a standard estate agent. You need someone who understands NHS practices.
✅ Use a healthcare accountant or broker
✅ Ask if they understand GMS/PMS contracts and capital accounts
✅ Make sure they factor in liabilities and not just assets
✅ Look for experience in handling succession or partner transitions
Archvale can help you value your practice as part of a transition or exit, especially if property is involved.
Get these things in order before a valuation:
✅ Clear financial statements and capital accounts
✅ Ownership details of premises / lease agreement contracts
✅ Staff contracts, salaries, and pension info
✅ Record of QOF, LES/DES, and PCN participation
✅ Up-to-date CQC and compliance records
✅ Summary of key liabilities and any disputes
Think of it like staging your house before a sale - the cleaner it looks, the better.
Just because a valuer says your practice is worth £X doesn’t mean someone will pay that. Sale price depends on:
That’s why being prepared makes all the difference.
Waiting too long to understand your value can cost you:
Don’t wait until it’s urgent. Knowing your GP practice value gives you options.
Knowing the value of your practice is vital in order to plan wisely, protect your legacy, and choose your next step with confidence.
You can’t sell goodwill, but there’s still a lot of value in what you’ve built. Let’s help you understand it.
Disclaimer - This content is for general information only and is not legal, financial, or professional advice. We’ve done our best to ensure it’s accurate at the time of writing, but rules and guidance may change. Always seek advice from qualified professionals before making decisions. If you spot an error or something that needs updating, please contact us.
Thomas has dedicated his 20-year career to making NHS primary care more sustainable. In his roles at Push Doctor, Medloop, GPCA, and Archvale, Thomas helped practices improve efficiency and quality of care, ultimately leading to happier clinicians, GP partners, and patients.
He works closely with clinical governance, operations, recruitment, and product teams to help GP partners seamlessly transition into salaried or locum roles, achieving the work-life balance they deserve. By introducing GP partners to trusted surveyors, lawyers and accountants, Thomas also helps GP partners unlock the equity in their property and transition lease liabilities to new partners.
