Q & A
- How is Help the Hospices involved?
Under its exclusive contract with H-Med, Help the Hospices will oversee
the distribution of the charitable donation in accordance with its charitable objectives. In addition, Help the Hospices will be closely involved with
H-Med’s management at all stages.
- Why is H-Med operating this scheme?
The directors of H-Med have determined to lead the way in forging links between business and charity to mutual benefit. They have personal and direct experience of the work of the hospice movement and are highly motivated to make a real difference to the movement by providing donations of substance for its activities and, generally, to raise the profile of meaningful corporate social responsibility and to set a high standard of charitable awareness and participation.
After many years of operating in this field the directors of H-Med realised that the various specialist developers of medical facilities by and large all offer very similar products and, of course, operate only for personal commercial gain. By linking up with Help the Hospices, H-Med can offer something different. As our strategy is designed to provide significant charitable funding to a movement of national importance, it hopes to be chosen as a preferred developer by individual GP practices, site owners and relevant third party medical services providers.
H-Med does not expect to receive and nor will it request nor offer special terms from those with whom it deals. All transactions will be entered into on normal, commercial, arms length terms in accordance with market practice and be full auditable. The company believes that its charitable intent will be sufficient to gain commitment from the marketplace.
- Is this PFI?
No. The development of GP surgeries by third party developers such as H-Med is simply a method of procurement open to GPs who always have the option of building their own premises. PCT involvement remains, in either case, the same i.e. GP rent is reimbursed by the relevant PCT in the same way that a PCT will reimburse other GP expenditure forming part of the surgery’s annual budget. So far as ancillary development is concerned (e.g. pharmacies, physiotherapy and the like), these remain private operations sponsored by independent commercial third parties.
H-Med is fully aware that both GPs and Help the Hospices have direct links with the communities which they serve. H-Med’s intention is to be a positive force in assisting these relationships to flourish and to be regarded as a partner in improving and extending the quality and services provided.
- How is the District Valuer involved?
In relation to the surgery space only, the specification for construction and fit out is issued by NHS Estates and this must be followed. The DV has responsibility to ensure that value for money is being achieved in terms of design, layout and construction and he will ensure that the design is in accordance with the guidelines and permitted space allowances. He will negotiate a suitable market rent for the development on behalf of the PCT and which he will recommend for reimbursement by the PCT to the GPs. The DV will often be responsible for or involved in, the negotiation of rent reviews under the GPs' leases as they fall due. The format of these GPs' leases is generally prescribed or guided by the District Valuation Office and is invariably followed.
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