GPs ‘must improve efficiency’ to maintain profits, warns top accountant

By Gareth Iacobucci

GP practices face an uphill struggle to sustain profits in the face of savage cuts to health spending, the new chair of the Association of Independent Specialist Medical Accountants (AISMA) has warned.

Bob Senior, director of medical services at accountants RSM Tenon, who takes over from David Clough at the helm of the organisation, said his aim was ‘to help AISMA members drive home the message that GP practices need to improve efficiency if they are to sustain profits in these difficult economic times'.

He added: ‘Despite government pledges to maintain frontline services, doctors will inevitably feel the pinch as health service cuts begin to bite. Combined with the tax changes that lie ahead doctors are going to be affected, some quite dramatically.'

Under Mr Senior's leadership, the national network of accountancy firms, which provides advice to medical practices, sessional GPs and hospital doctors, said it will continue to work hard with the BMA to influence policy.

Mr Senior added: ‘We will play our role in making the government aware of how proposed cuts will translate into reductions in service.'

Deborah Wood, head of Healthcare Services at accountants Moore and Smalley, has been named AISMA's new vice chairman.

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