Established practice
You're busy but your private work isn't actually growing
Busyness and growth are not the same thing. If your private income has plateaued, if you're filling the same slots with the same referrers year after year, you need a structured plan, not just more effort.
- steps
- 7
- steps
- to start
- 1 to 2 hours
- to start
The short answer
A growth plan for a private consultant fits on one page: a 12-month income target, the gap to it, the two levers that will close most of the gap, and three actions for this quarter. Everything else is noise. Use last year's numbers as the baseline and review every quarter.
7 steps
Do it yourself: step by step
0 of 7 done
From your accounts or billing system, take last year's private income split by self-pay and each insurer, new patients, procedures and sessions a week
- Time
- 1 to 2 hours
- Typical cost
- Free
- Who does it
- Your secretary or accountant
Done when: One table of last year's figures
This problem is Solvable.
Copy this template
One-page private practice growth plan
Free to copy, adapt and use. No sign-up.
One-page growth plan
Name: [Your name] Year: [Year]
Baseline (last 12 months)
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Private income | £ |
| Self-pay share | % |
| New patients | |
| Procedures | |
| Private sessions a week | |
| Referring GP practices |
Target
Private income in 12 months: £[ ] Maximum hours a week: [ ] Gap: £[target − baseline]
Levers
| Lever | Rough value | Chosen? |
|---|---|---|
| More new patients from GPs | £ | |
| More new patients online | £ | |
| Higher conversion to procedures | £ | |
| Better fee mix or self-pay | £ | |
| Fewer billing losses | £ | |
| One extra session | £ |
This quarter
| Action | Owner | Due | Measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | |||
| 2. | |||
| 3. |
Quarterly review
- Q1 [date]:
- Q2 [date]:
- Q3 [date]:
- Q4 [date]:
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Setting an income target without a limit on hours.
- Trying six growth projects at once and finishing none.
- Planning from memory rather than last year's actual figures.
- Measuring revenue but not new patients or referral sources.
- Writing a plan and never reviewing it.
Free personal check
Done by Paul Robinson, not software
I'll look at your numbers and tell you the two levers I would pull first
What I need from you
- Your answers to 7 quick questions
- Last year's private income, roughly
What you get
- The size of your gap to target
- The two levers most likely to close it
- Three actions for this quarter
Within 2 working days
No sign-in, no sales call. I read every request myself and reply on WhatsApp.
Free tools
Check where you stand
Paul Robinson
14 years in UK private healthcare
I solve this one for consultants
Want a hand? I'll look at your situation and tell you the three things I'd tackle first.
A few quick questions, about two minutes. I read every one myself and usually reply the same day.
No sales call unless you ask for one. Just a straight answer from me.
I reply personally, usually the same day.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How detailed should the plan be?
One page. If it does not fit on a page, you have too many actions.
What if I do not know last year's figures?
Ask your accountant or export from your billing system. Do this first.
Which levers usually matter most?
It varies, but referrer growth and billing accuracy are common, and both can be started this month.
Should I include hours?
Yes. A target without an hours limit tends to end in burnout.
How often should I review?
Every quarter, for an hour.
Last reviewed:
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