Londonwide LMCs

Dear Colleagues,

This is the first of our regular newsletters for 2025. There is a lot to report on at the moment, from LMC elections this year, to Access issues in NWL and the national GP contract.

What is the LMC and what do we do?
The Local Medical Committee (LMC) works on your behalf to represent the interest of all GPs in Ealing. We are here for partners, salaried GPs, locums and all practice staff. You can also access Londonwide LMCs’ GP support function, detailed later in this newsletter.

Ealing LMC Membership and Contact info

What has Ealing LMC been working on recently?

Meeting with Dierdre Costigan, MP for Ealing Southall
The LMC Chair recently met with the newly elected MP for Ealing Southall at Chepstow Gardens Medical Centre, accompanied by the the Chair of the Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow LMC. They were able to explain the role and work of the Ealing LMC and the pressures GPs are facing, day in day out.

Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs)
Ealing LMC members attended a meeting held by the NWL ICB about INTs in the Ealing Borough. With further cuts in funding to ICBs it is likely that INTs will play a greater role going forward and it is essential that GPs voices are heard in their development. The LMC will keep GPs updated as the INTs develop.

At NWL ICB and National level

GP Contract
The BMA’s GPCE has agreed a GP contract with the government for 25/26. This agreement is contingent upon the Government providing a written commitment to renegotiate a completely new national contract within the current parliamentary term. The GPCE has stipulated that this commitment must be confirmed in writing ahead of the Special Local Medical Committee (LMC) Conference on Wednesday, 19 March 2025.

GPCE continues to recommend that all colleagues work safely, and that where commissioning gaps exist or where commissioned pathways are failing practices and patients, these are raised with LMCs and ICBs (integrated care boards) and should be renegotiated locally. Practices should be appropriately resourced for the work they undertake in providing vital care for patients.

Salaried GP Maternity pay changes
The BMA has negotiated that the number of weeks at half pay for maternity leave will increase from 14 weeks to 18 weeks. This change aligns maternity leave provisions with those of hospital doctors and ensures salaried GPs are no longer at a detriment to their hospital-based colleagues.

Londonwide LMCs new CEO

Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell officially became CEO of Londonwide LMCs on Tuesday 27 May, replacing Dr Michelle Drage who has retired after many decades representing London’s GP practices. Lisa is joined by Dr Elliott Singer who has stepped into the Deputy CEO role, which Lisa held for nearly 10 years.

Lisa’s message on taking up her new role can be read here, she is also on social media (LinkedIn and BlueSky) and aiming to share updates on these more frequently.

LMC election nominations

Thank you to everyone who nominated themselves for their LMC and those who encouraged colleagues to do so. LMC election nominations closed at 5:00pm on Tuesday 3 June. The new committees will have their first meetings starting from October, following the completion of the full elections process across London. Until then your existing LMC representatives will continue to support you as usual.

Voting for members of our committee is now open and ballot papers were emailed out on Monday 23 June. GPs practicing in the area should have received a ballot from Civica Election Services via email. You have until Tuesday 22 July to vote, so please do so. When you go to vote each candidate had the option to provided a summary of why they think they would make a good LMC member.

Resources

Events and training

GP Support Team

The GP Support team provides expert, confidential and bespoke advice and support to individual constituent GPs and practices in difficulties. – Contact: GPSupport@lmc.org.uk

Get in touch!

All constituents can raise any issues of concern with the LMC at any time. It would be great to hear from constituents on any feedback or issue you may have from operational concerns with NWL Enhanced Services Single Offer. Please feel free to contact ian.oakley@lmc.org.uk.

Thank you for those of you who contact the Ealing LMC committee members about issues as they arise. We rely on you to know where support is needed and are grateful for your queries. Please do reach out to LMC members or Ian. We are keen to hear from our local GPs and practice teams about any issues you are facing. We are here to represent your views.

Yours faithfully,

Ealing LMC

Londonwide LMCs’ NWL Team

Ian Oakley, Committee Liaison Executive via ian.oakley@lmc.org.uk
Dr Sukhpal Shergill, LMC Secretary/Medical Director
Jamie Wright, Director of Primary Care
Lesley Williams, Assistant Director of Primary Care

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