Modality Partnership is a large GP (general practice) super-partnership in the United Kingdom, formed in 2009. It is an award-winning provider of primary health care and community services operating nationally across the UK.
Overview
The Modality Partnership is a "super-partnership" — a grouping of individual GP practices that come together to form a single partnership. By aggregating practices, the organisation aims to achieve greater operational efficiency, economies of scale, and the ability to offer extended services beyond traditional general practice. According to the King's Fund, in 2016 it was one of England's largest super-practices. By 2018, it served approximately 400,000 patients and was considered the largest practice in England at that time.
History
The partnership was formed in 2009. It received a favourable mention in the NHS Five Year Forward View in 2014. At that time, it was already conducting 80% of consultations remotely using phone or Skype. Former Prime Minister David Cameron cited the partnership in May 2015 when praising Birmingham's transformation of primary care.
Expansion
The partnership expanded significantly over the years:
- April 2017: Took over four GP practices in Hull, adding 48,000 patients and bringing its total to 150,000.
- June 2017: Acquired Wokingham Medical Centre, its 27th practice, with 20,000 patients.
- September 2017: Took over six GP practices in Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, bringing its list to more than 200,000 patients.
- July 2018: Took over three practices in Lewisham.
In September 2018, the partnership began offering online consultations via Push Doctor to more than 99,000 patients across six practices, with plans to extend to all 400,000 patients.
Services
Beyond standard GP services, Modality Partnership has extended into urology, dermatology, rheumatology, and x-ray services. It also proposed running bank and back office services for primary care networks in England, already doing so in Walsall.
Performance and Controversies
- Gender Pay Gap: In 2018/19, it had the largest pay gap between male and female employees (60.7%) of 154 companies based in Birmingham.
- Staffing Difficulties: In July 2019, it announced it would have to close one of five GP surgeries in Hull due to staffing difficulties.
- Workload Concerns: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the group reported that its GPs had an average of nearly 50 patient contacts per day — approximately double what the British Medical Association considers a "safety limit." Average consultation time rose from 12 minutes in 2020 to 15 minutes in 2021.
- Special Measures: In September 2023, Modality Mid Sussex was placed in Special Measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after a report rated it inadequate. Patients reported major difficulties in obtaining appointments over several months.
Recognition
Nick Harding, one of the co-founders and chair of Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, was ranked the 47th most influential person in the English NHS by the Health Service Journal in 2015. The partnership signed an agreement with Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust in November 2017 with a view toward forming a more vertically integrated relationship.
