Healthcare
Strategic Practice Growth & ICS Navigation
Strategic financial architecture to help primary care networks and practices expand, merge, and maximise funding within the integrated care era.
Leading through the integrated care era
The shift towards Integrated Care Systems (ICS) and the past strengthening of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) represented the most significant structural change in the NHS and primary care in a generation.
For GP partners, this requires a transition from managing a single small business to leading a sophisticated, collaborative healthcare entity. Strategic growth is no longer optional; it is a necessity for achieving operational scale and financial resilience.
At Armstrong Watson, we act as lead advisors for practices looking to expand, merge, or formalise their collaborative structures. We provide the financial architecture that allows you to provide exceptional patient care while maintaining a profitable and sustainable partnership.
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Contact the teamHealthcare mergers, acquisitions & federations
Merging practices is a complex legal and financial undertaking. We provide the "financial glue" that holds a merger together:
Due Diligence
We perform deep-dive financial reviews of potential merger partners, identifying hidden liabilities, varying drawings structures, and differing capital account balances.
Harmonisation of Accounts
We align disparate accounting policies to ensure a "day one" consolidated financial view, allowing the new partnership to operate as a single entity from the start.
Governance Frameworks
We help you design the financial governance of the new entity, including how "Top Slice" central costs are shared and how profits are allocated across multiple sites.
Navigating the ICS and PCN funding landscape
The ICS model changes how funding flows into primary care and can help you navigate these.
- Workforce planning: We model the financial impact of hiring through the ARRS and the new GP reimbursement scheme, ensuring your PCN and your practice are utilising its full entitlement without creating unfunded long-term liabilities.
- Contractual compliance: We ensure your subcontracting arrangements and inter-practice agreements are robust, tax-efficient, and compliant with the latest GMS, PMS and APMS contract variations.
Digital transformation and estates strategy
Growth often requires significant capital investment in technology and buildings.
- Cloud migration: We lead the digital transformation of your finance function, moving you to integrated cloud systems that offer real-time reporting across multiple PCN sites.
- Estates advisory: Whether you are applying for ICB support or exploring a private development, we provide the financial modelling needed to support your business case for new or expanded premises.
Get in touch
Get in touch to speak to one of our specialist advisers and explore how we can help you.
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