Before you rush to fill a gap, stop and ask: is taking on a new partner really the right move?
Here’s a quick checklist that you can run through:
✅ Do you know exactly what role the new partner will play?
✅ Are your finances clear and attractive to a new joiner?
✅ Is your partnership agreement up to date?
✅ Are you committed to staying for the next 5+ years?
✅ Have you explored alternatives like merging or stepping back?
If you hesitated on more than one of these, you might want to pause and explore your options. We can help you with that.
Sometimes, the best decision is not to hire right now. Watch out for these red flags:
Taking on a partner without sorting these out can lead to bigger problems down the line.
Not sure if bringing in a new partner is the best step? Use this quick decision guide:
Your situation: You want to stay 5+ years and share the load
Best next step: New GP partner
Your situation:You’re unsure if you want to stay
Best next step: Explore succession or step-back plan
Your situation: You’re retiring with no clear handover
Best next step: Contact us for succession support
Your situation: You’re surrounded by other small practices
Best next step: Consider a merger
Still not sure? We’re happy to talk it through with you.
Getting a new GP partner onboard includes things like setting expectations, protecting yourself and the practice, and setting up a long-term relationship for success. A clear checklist will help you:
You want to make a well-informed decision from a position of strength (not out of desperation) so you don’t risk being taken advantage of.
✅ Define their clinical and non-clinical responsibilities
✅ Update the partnership agreement (don’t skip this!)
✅ Agree on leave, profit share, buy-in and work patterns
✅ Notify NHS England and update PCSE early
✅ Share how decisions are made and who handles what
✅ Clarify expectations around workload, on-call, and admin
Tip: Start these conversations at least 3-6 months before their start date.
✅ Finalise the partnership agreement-make sure it’s signed by all partners
✅ Inform your accountant and review the drawings model
✅ Agree on pension contributions and capital input
✅ Update your CQC registration to reflect the change in partnership
✅ Discuss property: do they buy in, rent, or stay out?
✅ Review any changes to the GMS/PMS contract
✅ Ensure all named partnership liabilities are included in the partnership agreement
✅ Review and update clinical protocols
✅ Clean up rota systems and reduce scheduling chaos
✅ Prep a digital onboarding pack (logins, key policies, staff contacts)
✅ Set up their IT access and workspace
✅ Brief your existing team so everyone is ready to welcome them
✅ Add to clinical systems and NHS mail
✅ Provide a proper induction to how your practice runs
✅ Shadowing for the first few weeks
✅ Explain your appointment structure and expectations
✅ Introduce them to PCN and ICB contacts
✅ Assign a go-to person for questions
✅ Host a welcome lunch or informal meet-up
✅ Share your practice values and ethos
✅ Explain how decisions are made in the partnership
✅ Set up regular check-ins for their first 3-6 months
✅ Make sure they feel part of the team, not just another pair of hands
✅ Book a partnership review meeting after 3 months
✅ Gather feedback from both sides
✅ Adjust responsibilities or working patterns if needed
✅ Offer support if they’re struggling-early problems can usually be fixed
❌ Skipping the partnership agreement update
❌ Assuming they know how everything works
❌ Overloading them with admin or extra patients
❌ Not discussing finances early
❌ Avoiding hard conversations during onboarding
Getting a new GP partner onboard is about more than filling a clinical gap. It’s about building trust, sharing responsibility, and keeping the practice strong for the future.
Take the time to do it right. And if you’re not sure whether a new partner is the best route, that’s okay too. At Archvale, we help GP partners explore all the options-from stepping back, to selling, to succession planning.
No pressure. Just practical, friendly advice from people who’ve been there.
👉 Talk to us today about your next step
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.
