Dr Sharma & Rai GP Practices
People Business supported a group of GP surgeries based in the Dagenham and Barking areas through a small-scale TUPE transfer involving 18 employees across both clinical and non-clinical roles.
About our client
The group of surgeries is under the management of Dr Sharma & Rai, and include The White House, Green House & Blue House Surgeries, Tulasi Medical Centre, and Heathway Medical Centre. The Practice being TUPE’d over was Church Elm Lane Medical Practice.
How People Business assisted Dr Sharma & Rai
The TUPE transfer presented a number of practical and legal challenges common within primary care settings, including tight operational timescales, employee uncertainty and the need to maintain continuity of patient services throughout the process.
Our role was to provide end-to-end HR and employment law support to ensure the transfer was managed smoothly, compliantly and with minimal disruption to both employees and the practices involved.
Our support included:
- Advising on the application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE)
- Reviewing workforce structures and employee data including existing contractual terms and conditions, prior to transfer
- Supporting the preparation and collation of Employee Liability Information (ELI)
- Drafting legally compliant employee communications and consultation documentation that was clear, accessible, and sensitive to employee concerns and uncertainty throughout the transfer process
- Advising managers on consultation obligations and best practice engagement with employees
- Supporting with measures discussions, including any planned operational changes post-transfer
- Providing guidance on harmonisation risks and post-transfer employment considerations
- Advising on continuity of service, terms and conditions, and employee rights
- Helping managers navigate sensitive employee queries and concerns throughout the process.
Adding value beyond legal compliance
As with many TUPE situations, employee reassurance and communication were just as important as legal compliance. We worked closely with practice leadership teams to ensure messaging was clear, consistent, and practical for employees who were understandably concerned about:
- job security
- changes to management structures
- working arrangements
- the impact on day-to-day operations.
By taking a proactive and collaborative approach, we helped the practices:
- maintain employee engagement during the transition
- reduce the risk of employee relations issues
- minimise disruption to patient services
- build confidence among managers handling the process.
We also helped identify potential risks early, enabling the surgeries to make informed decisions and avoid common TUPE pitfalls, particularly around consultation, contractual changes and process timing.
Outcome
Jess Bailes, the HR consultant ensured the transfer was completed successfully and within the required timeframe, with employees transferring smoothly into the new structure. Being on hand to navigate the process Jess demonstrated the importance of combining technical employment law expertise with practical, people-focused HR support – particularly in healthcare environments where continuity, communication and operational stability are critical.
What our client said
“From the outset, the support we received was excellent. Jess and the team were responsive, approachable, and clear in their advice throughout what could have been a very complex process. They took the time to explain the legal requirements in a practical and easy-to-understand way, while also being mindful of the concerns and anxieties of our staff during the transfer. It was a genuine pleasure to work with them and we felt supported at every stage of the TUPE process.”
Sandeep Sharma, Managing Partner
