Bexley LMC – Newsletter May 2025
We are pleased to present our latest newsletter, which highlights the recent work and collaborative efforts between Bexley LMC and Londonwide LMCs along with other local stakeholders. We understand the pressures under which you and your team are working.
Formal LMC Meetings summary:
In the March Bexley LMC meeting, LMC representatives discussed the commissioning gaps in complex wound care with ICB colleagues. This has resulted in additional unfunded workload in Bexley General Practice. The LMC is in the process of addressing this issue. Feedback from Practices is welcome.
The LMC raised the issue of waiting times in GSTT General Cardiology in the March and May meetings. There are several actions being undertaken by GSTT and the ICB to try and reduce waiting times, which we will be following closely.
Professor Seshadri Sriprasad, Consultant Urologist and Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Darent Valley Hospital, joined the LMC meeting. Professor Sri has been working on improving interface between DVH and General Practice. Dartford and Gravesham Trust has set up a new shared inbox to help improve the communication and interface between General Practice and secondary care. Please see the comms from DGT:
- This inbox is to create an avenue to obtain feedback and collate concerns that may be raised between primary and secondary care for the GP practices in Dartford, Gravesham, Bexley, Swanley and other catchment areas of DGT.
- Any concerns received will be reviewed and themes shared with the primary and secondary care interface meetings for learning and improving care.
- Please note this inbox is not to address a clinical issue, please directly contact the department to get advice or appropriate treatment/care for the patient.
- The email address for this inbox – dgn-tr.gpinterface@nhs.net.
The next formal LMC will be taking place on 10 July. If you have any issues or queries that you would like us to raise at formal LMC meetings on your behalf, please reach out to the aisha.riaz@lmc.org.uk.
The next drop-in session will be taking place on Wednesday 12 June from 14.30 – 15.00 pm. We are eager to hear from you and the challenges you are facing and how we can represent you more effectively.
Inclisiran
In Bexley LMC’s April constituent drop-in session, the issue of inclisiran prescribing in General Practice was raised. Please see the letter to SEL constituents (linked here) regarding Inclisiran prescribing and administration in general practice in the context of ongoing concerns regarding the safety and resources required for practices to administer it.
It states that practices are not contractually obliged to provide this service and the LMC would advise that practices make their own decision about whether to take on the responsibility and costs to prescribe this drug or not.
Advice & Guidance
The LMC is engaging with the SEL ICB regarding developing guidelines for Advice & Guidance (A&G). It is being proposed that Ardens templates will be used to ensure proper coding.
The SEL ICB has been allocated limited funds for A&G and therefore there will be a practice cap on available funds for this service.
The LMC will provide further updates when information is received.
Varenicline prescribing
The current pathway for prescribing Varenicline is by Bexley Public Health’s Stop Smoking Team advising the patient and, as necessary, requesting a prescription from the patient’s GP by sending a letter to the patient’s GP.
Any medication prescribed is paid for by Bexley council.
The LMC is seeking further clarifications on the pathway and will be meeting with the Public Health team to discuss the unfunded workload implication involved.
Integrated Neighbourhood Teams
The plans for integrated neighbourhood working in Bexley will involve partnership with the GP Federation (Bexley Health Neighbourhood Care), PCNs, London Borough of Bexley and Oxleas.
The focus for INTs across SEL will be on the following three areas:
- Supporting residents with three LTCs
- Developing an end-to-end pathway for frailty
- Implementation of the Integrated Child Health Model and Population Heath Management
In my capacity as the LMC Chair, I will be involved in the Community Based Care Board, which oversees the INT development programme and ensure that General Practice remains at the centre of integrated neighbourhood working.
LMC Elections 2025
This summer is your opportunity to stand for Bexley LMC, please nominate yourself by 5:00pm on Tuesday 3 June. watch our short animation explaining why should you stand for your local medical committee, which is part of our regularly updated elections page. You can also share the animation and a short message via WhatsApp.
Bexley LMC presented on the elections at the in-person March PLT event and we encourage all GP constituents get involved in the elections process.
Bexley Public Health updates
- The refreshed Bexley’s Sexual Health website is live from 29th April 2025. For more information contact: bromh.sexualhealthbexley@nhs.net
- Bexley’s Public Health team have commissioned pilot projects as part of the Bexley Wellbeing Partnership work to tackle health inequalities. These projects focus on a boroughwide approach to tackling poor mental health by increasing physical activity and improving social connections. There are free opportunities for residents to get involved with Head in the Game, Charlton Athletic Community Trust and Age UK Bexley
- The Bexley Healthy Weight Strategic Partnership Action Plan is in its 3rd year of delivery. Actions have been agreed with partners and include commissioning a mainstream Tier 2 weight management service as well as a weight management service specifically tailored to adults with learning disabilities. In addition, community cook and eat classes and physical activity interventions for mental health improvement have been rolled out in the community.
- Bexley’s public health team and Samaritans have been working in conjunction to install 7 new listening benches across Bexley borough parks and outdoor spaces. For further information contact Philippa.wills@bexley.gov.uk – Training: 30 mins to be Suicide Aware – New in person suicide prevention training is being launched.
- Insight Bexley is the young people’s substance misuse service for young people under 18 and their family, friends and/or carers in Bexley who are using or are affected by drugs and alcohol. More details can be found at: Insight Bexley – Insight.
Workforce Training and Innovation (WTI)
Londonwide LMCs’ Workforce-Training and Innovation (WTI) directorate provides key training courses for GPs and their practice team. Here is a list of upcoming taught days & courses.