Dr Clare Sieber
GP & CEDR Accredited Mediator
MBChB (Glas.) MRCGP (2013) DRCOG DFSRH LL.Dip (ULaw)
Clare is a practising GP in West Sussex and previous LMC Medical Director with experience of supporting General Practitioners in England and Wales to resolve disagreements within their Partnership, Practice or Primary Care Network.
She is a CEDR-accredited commercial and workplace mediator, and gained a distinction-level qualifying law degree whilst working as a GP. Clare sits on the BMA's General Practitioners' Committee,and is therefore well-versed on the details of the GP contract and PCN DES.
Clare's knowledge and experience are unique; she has a personal understanding of the role of a GP and the complexities of partnership working, and sound knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework of General Practice. She has supported many partnerships, PCNs and practice employees to resolve their differences or end their relationship on the best possible terms.
Clare only mediates disputes in healthcare settings, with a focus on those in primary care such as GP partnership, PCN, GP practice workplace disputes, and disputes between a patient's family and the clinical team.
She offers a personal, accessible service and strives hard to ensure that disputes are resolved quickly, pragmatically, and cost-effectively. Every disagreement is unique; she will tailor her support to fit your needs.
What is Mediation?
Download Clare's Guide to Mediation here.
Mediation is a voluntary process where people can come together to find their own mutually agreeable solution to a conflict or disagreement under the guidance of an impartial mediator.
The process is flexible and tailored to the needs of those involved. Usually the parties and the mediator meet together first before moving into separate spaces where they work with the mediator to propose suggestions and make offers to resolve the issues.
Mediation is a ‘safe space' where parties can attempt to resolve their issues in good faith. The whole process is confidential, and although most mediations result in a legally-binding agreement that ends the matter on the same day, there is no obligation to reach an agreement. The voluntary nature of mediation means that a participant can walk away at any time. If an agreement is not reached, the slate is wiped clean, and everything said in the mediation stays confidential and cannot be mentioned in ongoing or new legal proceedings.
Agreements can be tailored to your specific situation. You can include elements further reaching than a court of law could order such as creative use of payments, notice periods, leave, profit shares, partner duties, sabbaticals, references, and messaging to staff and patients. With agreements where there will be an ongoing professional relationship, these will be carefully written so that commitments are clear, realistic and measurable.
In addition to having a more pragmatic outcome, the process of mediation is also much faster and cheaper than legal proceedings.
Clare's Service
Clare has experience in resolving commercial disagreements which involve:
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Partnership Splits and Negotiated Retirements
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Ill-health
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Premises (leased and owned)
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Partnerships at Will
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Mergers and de-mergers
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Performance/Suspension Issues (GMC & Performers List)
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Primary Care Networks
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Third parties such as GP Federations and other Providers
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GMS/PMS Contract Termination
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Contractual disputes with a Salaried GP.
She offers a complete mediation service which includes a full day of mediation, an unlimited number of preparatory conversations with all parties including their legal advisors, and the provision of a mediation agreement and a legally-binding settlement agreement, with signed copies for all.
The fee for these disputes is £3500 for those involving up to three persons, rising to £4000 for four or more partners, and £5000 for PCN disagreements. Virtual mediation fees are discounted to £3250, £3750 and £4750 respectively. The cost is usually shared equally between the disputing parties . Your ICB may be able to contribute towards, or even reimburse the cost of the mediation.
Clare is also experienced in resolving workplace/employment disagreements which involve:
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Breakdown of the working relationship between employees, including between an employee and a line manager
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Grievances
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Breakdown of the Relationship between a Practice Manager/Salaried GP and the Partners.
The hourly rate for practice workplace mediation is £250, and as a guide, a two-person conflict takes approximately 12 hours over several days to resolve.
Testimonials
Testimonials
Contact
"Please do contact me for a free, no obligation, and confidential discussion about your situation and how I may be able to help."