GP partnerships still have a role in the UK – but need to learn from new models of care, according to the man heading a major government investigation into the issue.

Partnership in general practice “has not reached the end of the road,” according to Dr Nigel Watson.

Yesterday Dr Watson issued, through the Department of Health, a “call for evidence” as he began his review. He then plans to tour the country meeting GPs, their staff and patients.

His interim report is due in the autumn.

The review comes as the NHS struggles to attract GPs. On average every practice is short of one GP – while increasing doctors who train in general practice work as employees or locums rather than partners.

Dr Watson proposes to examine other industries that still use partnership models. His inquiry will also examine current restrictions on limited liability partnerships.

He says that studying GP workload will be a key part of making partnerships sustainable in the future.

He intends to examine features of salaried or locum GP work that could be introduced into partnership. This includes finding ways to support flexible working and portfolio careers.

He also wants to examine the scope for introducing “progression to partnership” – moving away from the traditional model in which trainees moved immediately to buy into partnership after qualifying.

Dr Watson says that being small businesses gives practices flexibility to adapt to the needs of their local population.

He points out that trainees learn clinical skills but not business skills.

He writes: “I believe that the Independent Contractor status of general practice is the foundation of the core strengths of general practice. Although we are independent, we are an integral part of the NHS.

“Our unique position within the health service provides us with the autonomy and freedom to innovate, alongside our ability to deliver person-centred holistic care based in the communities to whom we are accountable.”