Setting up in private practice. A guide for the newly appointed consultant.

If you are considering going into private practice under the present contract weigh up the cost, seek advice as to prospective earnings, join a partnership if you can, buy sound sensible equipment (second-hand if possible), insure for super-annuation and sickness benefits right away--it is both cheaper and safer. Agree a sensible NHS programme from the start using the advice of the BMA and the Association of Anaesthetists, and, when you are an established practitioner and a young colleague joins you, try to give him a helping hand and sound advice. The sine qua non of survival is co-operation.