BUPA Physiotherapy Tender Process

[physiobob]

Let's look at the BUPA issue in recent years. I might add I have written to the CSP and the OCPPP (entire committee) on several issues about this in the past few years and have had little CSP response and NO OCPPP response.

I think it's time perhaps the UK's private practitioners looked at forming a new association?! Maybe then they will listen.

Firstly the age discrimination issue:

In October of 2008 the European law stipulated that you could not discriminate on age for any job application. Immediately BUPA fell in breech of this issue as by demanding 5 yrs post grad 'experience' (actually time past) to be on their books. Effectively this says that no one under the age of 26-27 can apply for this job contract with BUPA. (18 yrs + 3 for the degree + 5 for experience) So 27 is a minimum.

I questioned BUPA on their guidelines for the 'level of experience' required at the time and they said there was none, it was 5 yrs and that was that.


Secondly the 5yrs + and BUPA's own wellness clinics.

I am sure everyone knows that BUPA themselves recruit graduates of less than 5 years experience into their own clinics (some as little as 2 yrs). They justify this by saying they are under the observation of those with a minimum of 5 yrs experience. Not quite sure who they think we private practitioners are.

The result of the above is a restriction of trade issue

Thirdly, BUPA have told me I can only charge £45 for a half hr session when their clinic around the corner charges £53. This is ant-competitive and a restriction of trade.

All of the above point, and more, have been brought to the attention of both the CSP and the OCPPP

Let's go on.

In 2006 I wrote to the CSP explaining that the big issue lying ahead for new grads was this 5yr + issue and BUPA (and perhaps PPP who has stopped all physio's registering with their service).

Effectively what that meant was that no one under 5 yrs was going to leave the NHS as NO private practitioner was that keen to employ them without recognition of the health care companies. No one leaving means NO new jobs for new grads within the NHS.

By the time someone spends 5 yrs in the NHS they are unlikely to move into private practice. Thus no seniors leave either, the result even less new grad positions.

No let's look at the culling of the BUPA list under the current scheme, even less BUPA approved practitioners, practices will shrink, there will be more solo ([professionally isolated) practitioners and even LESS jobs for any physio outside of the NHS. Therefore no incentive to leave the NHS and NO new grad jobs for the future of the physio profession in the UK.

No I am taking a slightly extreme view on this but it will not be far from the outcome as I say this and the later ramifications whilst working in Canada in the 90's. Interestingly a similar situation that BUPA is trying to create was eventually deemed anti-competitive under the Canadian law and these super-clinics for the mass market has to disband their exclusive agreements. So BUPA will possible gain for a while but not forever.

This is an issue for the whole profession, not just the private practitioners. The NHS, the current new grads, the current students and the future students.

I would support a boycott of the tender process by the entire profession. I would also welcome media interest in this issue as BUPA are no longer offering their clients the practitioner of their choice. They will be offering one of BUPA's choice based on the cheapest offer on the table. No well established, well qualified and conscientious therapist will enter this agreement. Once their members know about it, let them react by walking. The media could have a field day with this.

Please make your comments and no that there will be a physio meeting held in central London next week (perhaps wed the 8th April) to discuss this on mass.

Watch this space.

OH and by the way the CSP continues to take advertising from BUPA for their inserts in the frontline publication. I also complained about this several times and they even printed my letter but did nothing about it. I suppose when their mismanagement has lead to financial problems they even take money from the enemy…Such a short-sighted approach to all their members’ livelihoods.

[Bupabear]

I think this will be the end of the OCPPP. They have been shown to be spineless (excuse the pun). I never expected the CSP to get involved. I am 52 and when I qualified it was considered the eighth deadly sin not to work in the NHS. Why should our NHS colleagues be worried about us greedy private practitioners charging such a large amount for treatment?

Yes let's have a boycott. Sod the lot of them. If we agree to cut our costs and lose are clinical autonomy to one insurer, the rest will jump on the bandwagon. How would you answer the question from AXAPPP " Why do you charge us more than Bupa?"

Maybe when we move away from these stupid Bupa prices, we can go on and move towards charging a proper rate. We are clinicians but get paid technician wages in the NHS and that's what Bupa think we are.

The Daily Mail might be sympathetic to our cause, what does everyone think?

[pragmatic pat]

I would like to voice my support for a mass exodus from BUPA. We are all working privately to be autonomous practitioners and as such able to provide a flexible service to deal with our differing patients variable needs. This would be swept away in an instant and we would be culpable in the demise and undermining of our profession
This contract is belittling and demeaning. I will not be tendering , am prepared to take the substantial financial hit to defend my position as a professional rather than a paid assistant.

As we are the only practice for an 8 mile radius it will be interesting to see how BUPA are going to fulfill their proclamation to still offer physio close to where patients live.

[pragmatic pat]

Further to my post I realise sadly that i am the only woman who has come out in support of a buoycott.....please..... someone tell me i am not alone???

[thephysiosvoice]

NO! You are not alone.....

TPV

[physiobob]

Let's boycott it all together. Let's all talk about it. Let's inform the media. And tell everyone offline too. p.s. Sorry about the site being down overnight. Our hosting company had a meltdown and many were affected. Glad all is back online now

[Hanz Off]

hi everyone
firstly let me say its great to see all us physios getting together on this because if we do not the future will not be a bright one. i have worked hard for 18 years to build up a thriving clinic and have no intention of letting BUPA dictate to me. In their last round of squeezing and bullying i held solid and they went quiet. It is interesting to talk to local collegues in private practice and apart from everyone being very angry at these proposals we have all noticed a steady decline in BUPA numbers over the years, me thinks they may be struggling a tad. i certainly have no intention in reducing my charges or increasing my session times and i will not be jumping through their flaming hoops.
Yep lets boycott it.