Patient Plan Direct shares the testimonial of Jim Sykes, who recently navigated a successful NHS to private conversion.
Are you an NHS principal considering making the jump to private practice? If the thought of transitioning from NHS to private dentistry leaves you with concerns ranging from how this change will be perceived, both within your practice and by the public, to wondering if patients will sign up or leave your practice altogether, then you’re not alone.
Jim Sykes, principal at Hexham Dental, recently navigated what can be a complex journey from NHS to private practice. Like many NHS dentists, Jim felt the strain of working under the NHS. After much consideration, he decided to explore the transition to be a fully private practice, which he found not only alleviated financial pressure but also allowed him to provide a higher quality of care for his patients and create a more positive working environment for his team.
With careful financial planning and forecasting from Patient Plan Direct, Jim realised that a successful conversion was achievable. His goal for success was to encourage 1,441 of the existing NHS patients at his practice to sign up for a private dental plan within three months of returning his NHS contract.
Throughout the conversion process, Jim faced many fears and doubts that you might expect. Would enough patients sign up for a monthly dental plan? Would the transition negatively impact the reputation of the practice? Will the practice team embrace this change? In Jim’s own words, ‘Would I be an enemy of the people?!’ He recounts both the successes and the setbacks, from patients who were supportive and understanding to an incident where his practice manager had to escort a particularly vocal patient out of the practice, highlighting the emotional and practical challenges of such a change.
Jim is keen to share his experience with other principal dentists who may be looking to transition from NHS to private dentistry. Watch the full video, which captures his pre- to post-conversion.
Successful conversion supported by Patient Plan Direct
If you’re considering transitioning to private practice, why not explore the possibility with Patient Plan Direct? Our proven, tried-and-tested methods can help determine if this move is right for you. The cherry on the cake is that you’ll retain more of your plan income versus working with another provider, thanks to our low and transparent administration fees.
We offer a thorough viability analysis and in-depth financial planning to identify your plan-patient target and what’s required to replace your NHS income. But we know this is more than just a financial related objective. We’ve seen countless times how our clients who have been through this process have benefitted from more time to deliver improved patient care, a better working environment for their practice team, the ability to attract top clinical talent who prefer to work in private dentistry, and more.
If you’re considering an NHS to private conversion, Jim’s video diary is an essential watch. When you’re ready to explore your own journey, Patient Plan Direct is ready to guide you every step of the way.
For more information, visit patientplandirect.com.
This article is sponsored by Patient Plan Direct.
