Operations rather than clinical practice.
WHAT THIS COVERS
Registration, premises, staffing, records, billing, stock and compliance.
WHAT IT DOES NOT COVER
Clinical practice, diagnosis or treatment.
WHY THE DISTINCTION MATTERS
Clinical decisions belong to qualified practitioners under professional regulation.
WHAT FORMS OF PRACTICE EXIST
General and specialist clinics Hospitals and nursing homes Diagnostic laboratories Imaging centres Dental practices Optical practices Physiotherapy and allied services Home care services
WHAT THEY SHARE AS BUSINESSES
Strict regulation Professional licensing of staff Records that are legally significant Patient safety obligations Substantial equipment and stock Payment from several sources
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THEM FROM OTHER BUSINESSES
Errors harm people, and the obligations are correspondingly heavier.
WHAT DETERMINES VIABILITY
Patient volume What each visit or procedure earns Whether you are paid Staff and equipment utilisation Regulatory standing
WHAT MOST PRACTICES UNDERESTIMATE
Administrative burden and collection difficulty.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH FIRST
What registration and licensing your intended service requires.
WHAT TO TREAT THIS CATEGORY AS
Business operations guidance, with clinical and regulatory matters from the professional bodies and regulators.
