Ready to Double Down on Private or Keep an NHS-Hybrid?

The Go-No-Go Decision When Your Practice is Already Hitting £500K
I was in Vienna for the ESCRS 2023 conference and a surgeon asked me a killer question: Go private or stick with the NHS part-time now that you’re earning ±£500K from your practice? Well, I’ve thought it over and here are my two cents based on what I’ve seen work for others.

Consider

    • Profit Margins: I’ve seen doctors gross a lot, but net a little. How much of that £500,000 is the actual profit? It’s crucial to nail down your financials before making any moves. Chances are, a lot of it is profit right now. Jump in with both feet, and you can expect to cut that in 1/2.
    • NHS Ties: You’re part-time with the NHS. Are there long-term contracts, interests or responsibilities you have to consider? One of my clients decided he loved the work so much – no amount of money was enough to jump.
    • Growth Metrics: Aim for a 6% quarterly growth goal. Are you ready to risk the investment? If not, you might want to wait before leaping.
    • Team Capabilities: Do you have the staff to go full-time? I’ve seen practices crumble because they scaled too quickly. Make sure your team is ready for the ride.
    • Life Goals: What’s your big plan? Looking to sell down the road, or is this a lifetime commitment? That answer guides a lot of these other questions.

Clear Goals:

    • Income Goals: Decide on the income you’d need to feel comfortable leaving the NHS. One of my clients set a 6-month target. She hit it and made the switch.
    • Think Long-term Valuation Aims:You’re eyeing a 5x multiple in 10 years. What needs to happen yearly to get there? Plan that out. You’ll need systems and top people to pull it off.
    • Personal Balance:Don’t underestimate this. Going full-time private is going to shake up your work-life balance. Family and friends *will* miss you. Think it through.

Guaranteed side-effects:

If you’re in your 40s, it’s a pivotal time. Your risk tolerance might not be what it was in your 30s, but you’ve still got runway ahead. It’s a double-edged sword:

    • Upside: You’ve got the experience and likely the financial cushion to take calculated risks.
    • Downside: A bad business move now has less time for recovery compared to 10 years ago.
    • Increased Scrutiny:You’ll get attention. Not all of it good. Expect more eyes on your financials, compliance, and operations.

The Income Game:

Now, about the money. If you nail that 6% quarterly growth, you could grow £250K (profit) to about £1.75M annually in 10 years. Selling at a 5x multiple? That’s a £6.25M exit.

Sticking with a hybrid model makes it harder to project. But chances are, focusing solely on your private practice will boost both growth and valuation in the long run.

The choice between going fully private or sticking with an NHS hybrid model boils down to your priorities: wealth, impact, or a balance of both. Knowing what you’re playing for simplifies this pivotal decision.

Reflect on your goals, consider the practicalities, and choose the path that aligns with your vision for the future. Remember, it’s not just about the financials; it’s about crafting a career that brings satisfaction and makes a difference.

NOTE: The best way to answer that nagging question about practice growth or marketing or patient volume in the back of your mind is to book a free 15-minute compatibility call. Get some options and go away with a clear idea of what’s possible.

About the author

Rod Solar
Founder & Scalable Business Advisor / fCMO

Rod Solar is a co-founder of LiveseySolar and a Scalable Business Advisor for its customers. Rod mentors and coaches eye surgery business CEOs/Founders and their leadership teams to triple their sales, double their profit, and achieve their “ideal exit”.

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Meet our Co-Founders

We’re passionate about helping leaders of high-quality, growth-minded practice owners double their practice revenue

Rod Solar

Founder & Scalable Business Advisor

For over 20 years, I’ve helped ophthalmology entrepreneurs scale their private practices. I specialise in doubling revenue within three years by offering a proven framework, hands-on experience, and a team of experts who implement what works. We take the guesswork out of growth and scale, so you can focus on delivering exceptional patient care while maximising the value of your business.

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LiveseySolar completely transformed the way we were approaching this… We’ve gone from having just the dream of having a practice to having a practice up and running with people making inquiries and booking for procedures… It’s extremely pleasing. We feel lucky we connected with LiveseySolar.

— Dr Matthew Russell, MBChB, FRANZCO, specialist ophthalmic surgeon and founder of VSON and OKKO

Laura Livesey

Founder & CEO

I’m the co-founder & CEO of LiveseySolar. I’ve developed powerful eye surgery marketing systems that increase patient volumes and profits for doctors, clinics, and hospitals, since 1997.

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Rod and Laura know as much about marketing surgery to patients as I know about performing it. They are an expert in the field of laser eye surgery marketing. They know this industry inside out. I believe that they could help many companies in a variety of areas including marketing materials, sales training and marketing support for doctors.

— Prof. Dan Reinstein, MD MA FRSC DABO, founder of the London Vision Clinic, UK