Private Healthcare Clinic - Implications / How to Set Up?

Adamc

Hi all 

I can't give any specifics away here and this may be a non-starter of an idea but here goes ...
I work in the healthcare sector and harbour ambitions of setting up a private clinic. I just wondered if anyone could point me in the right direction of getting some advice? 
I have contacted my professional body and they have been unable to help. 

It may be the case that I cannot proceed with it in the future but I would love to do my research just to see. 

Savvy_Sue

What sort of advice do you need? 

There's an old saying "you can see there's a gap in the market - but is there a market in the gap?" So, you feel that there's a shortage of specialist clinics for whatever it is, BUT are there enough people willing to pay to attend such a clinic? Don't rely on friends and family saying "oh yes, that's a fantastic idea!" Move on to "and would you be prepared to pay £X to attend one?"

Beyond that, I'm not sure what advice you'd be looking for. 

On a very general level:

• bear in mind that when renting premises it's crucially important to get a suitably specialised solicitor to read the lease, explain what it means to you, and possibly negotiate improvements. 
• you'll need insurance: buildings insurance will usually be provided by the landlord - that's the kind of thing your solicitor should check and clarify for you - but you may well need to cover tenants' improvements and definitely the contents. You'll also need public liability to cover any employees and your visitors. Your professional body may be able to advise on the scope you need for this. Business interruption insurance is another thing to consider. 
• as well as electricity, possibly gas and water bills, you will also need to pay for refuse collection and disposal. If there is any 'medical' waste, this will cost extra. 
  
  

Moving on, how are you going to finance the setup costs? Getting loans is going to be tricky, you may well have to put your house at personal risk. 

There's a start for you ... 

martindow

There must be a lot of regulation involved in setting up clinics (or at least I hope that there is!) and I would suggest you look there first to see if you are suitably qualified to be able to do that.

More generally new businesses are more likely to succed when the owner has experience of the area of business involved.  You really need to have the knowledge required or know how to get that before you know whether there is any possibility that this could succeed.

It does sound rather like a pipedream at the moment.

Savvy_Sue

martindow said:

More generally new businesses are more likely to succed when the owner has experience of the area of business involved.  You really need to have the knowledge required or know how to get that before you know whether there is any possibility that this could succeed.

True, I was assuming the OP would have that specialist knowledge. What they may not have is experience of running a business, and I think that's equally vital. We see quite a few posts from people whose dream is to set up a Cafe etc, and they may think they have the practical skills (eg they love baking), BUT being responsible for running a business is quite different. More worrying are the ones who've never even worked in a cafe ...

Should also have said: as well as specialist advice on the premises lease, if you're employing staff you need proper advice there, to make sure you get the contracts right and understand your responsibilities. This is advice you will need to pay for. 

Savvy_Sue

I've also just read this thread about whether or not an accountant is needed. I'd say the advice about paying people to do the things you lack experience in is good! 

Mistral001

Your professional body will not help, but trade associations can and do give advice on commercial matters.  Do not be put of by the term "trade associations", they do include the professions.  Some professional trade associations are difficult to become a member of as some require you to have more than a professional qualification, for example they might require you to be a Fellow rather than just a Member.

Owain_Moneysaver

Depends where you are and what you want to do, but in many healthcare and allied settings it is possible to rent consulting and treatment rooms by the hour. Even a local GP can have spare surgery time they would like to translate into income. 
Harley Street starts at under £40 an hour. 

Adamc

Mistral001 said:

Your professional body will not help, but trade associations can and do give advice on commercial matters.  Do not be put of by the term "trade associations", they do include the professions.  Some professional trade associations are difficult to become a member of as some require you to have more than a professional qualification, for example they might require you to be a Fellow rather than just a Member.

What trade associations should I consult? I suspect my idea has too many issues surrounding it and that is why hundreds of others aren't doing it. A huge one is data security (hospitals have multiple teams tending to this). 

coachman12

Haven't got enough info to say very much. 
Doctors ( including GPs) set up on their own, and with a couple of colleagues there is suddenly a new clinic ( for private patients). Even more common with consultants.
Osteopaths, acupuncturists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors etc etc  can set up clinics.
But all of the above would surely know how to go about setting up a clinic and not need to ask non-professionals on MSE !!
So, although I have only just skimmed through this thread, can O/P tell us what sort of clinic are we talking about,dealing with what area of health etc ?