Things like PCNs (groups of local practices) are created to share resources e.g. physio to cover multiple practices
There are other ways to bring money into the practice - meeting government set targets ("QOF"), for example, with chronic disease management (COPD/diabetes/hypertension etc). This can often bring £20-40 per patient per year. Extra services - joint injections, coils, minor surgery etc. bring in extra income. Some practices dispense medication which can be a good earner for the practice. There is also private income to pay bills - occupational health services, private medicals (e.g. taxi), travel vaccinations, non-NHS letters etc. All of the above takes a lot of work and resources to provide, but usually generates a profit.
I think the average GP practice in the UK earn about £150-170 per patient per year if you cover all funding streams. Which is an absolute bargain to the country.
But the resource-rich days of GP have long gone. More are increasingly struggling. More and more are closing, or merging to create mega practices to survive.
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