I am incredibly proud to have been appointed the new CEO of Londonwide LMCs, and to lead a team that will build upon the incredible legacy created by my predecessor, Dr Michelle Drage, to support over 1,100 GP practices in the Capital as they continue to offer a huge range of services to people of all ages, act as gate keepers to other parts of the health service, and manage complexity, uncertainty and risk on behalf of the NHS.
I’m joined in this by our new Deputy CEO, Dr Elliott Singer, who has extensive experience working with LMCs in North East London, helping GPs in professional difficulties as part of our GP support team and representing London at a national level as a previous Chair of the Conference of England LMCs. Elliott will continue as a GP partner and I will continue as salaried GP. We also have continuity in our leadership at Board level, with Dr Sid Datta as our Chair, working alongside an equally experienced team of Board members.
Get in touch and get involved
I want to hear what priorities are for everyone working in London general practice, so please get in touch. I’m on X (Twitter), LinkedIn and BlueSky and have committed to posting more frequently! So please follow me in any of those places for more updates.
At the moment London’s GPs also have the opportunity to join us in our work representing their profession by standing for their LMC before Tuesday 3 June. We’re hoping to have a good mix of new talent and returning experience once the election process is complete.
Recognising the value general practice brings
General practice has continually evolved along with the changing needs of patients, but given the increasing complexity of patient need and the NHS financial constraints, never has it been more important to champion the characteristics of the family doctor:
- holistic care,
- continuity of care,
- complex undifferentiated illness,
- simultaneously managing acute and chronic health problems, and
- promoting the health and wellbeing of individuals and local communities and the prevention of ill-health.
All are critical for effective care.
GPs working in practices embedded in local communities bring a holistic approach and continuity of care. This builds trusted relationships with patients from cradle to grave, through major life transitions, supporting and caring for patients’ health. And GP surgeries play an important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of local communities, providing Londoners with places of safety, trust and community.
The challenges we face
It’s very tough in general practice right now. Practices are increasingly under pressure to deliver more with fewer GPs. The value we offer to patients, local communities and the wider NHS is often not fully understood and we know that GPs struggle to provide the safe and effective care that provides patient satisfaction and good health outcomes and professional fulfilment; the care that took years of study and training to develop.
I am proud to champion London’s GPs, their amazing teams and the vital role they play.
Best wishes,
Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell
CEO
Londonwide LMCs