Dear colleague,
We have now had the first formal meeting of our new committee to which commissioners were invited. Our discussions were mainly around contractual issues.
Lambeth LMC Membership and Contact info
Nationally, new requirements came into force on 1/10/25. We are aware there have been multiple communications from the BMA, Londonwide LMCs, as well as various from NHSE and the ICB. Many people have found these confusing. We all hope that what we have implemented is contractually compliant, but we are not all sure that keeping online access open until 18.30 is the best way of serving our populations.
SEL ICB will be enforcing this under the direction of NHSE. Please do get in touch if you have concerns. Personally, I am more worried about the access via GP Connect, especially after the pregnancy coding errors earlier this year. Again, please let us know if you have issues with GP Connect.
Local contracts
These alsoc changed on 1 October, there is now an incentive to participate in integrated neighbourhood teams in our PMS. This replaces the requirement to chase up breasts screening non-attenders. There is a new SEL wide Medicines Optimisation scheme, which is closely modelled on the Lambeth scheme so should not look much different when you read it, apart from the repeat prescribing and change in blood glucose test strips. Both were preceded by extensive discussions with Lambeth LMC.
LARC
We also talked with Public Health colleagues at Lambeth Council about uncertainties around the LARC scheme. The stop-smoking service are in the process of recruiting a prescriber, so requests for varenicline should stop coming back to practices.
Synnovis HbA1c readings
Londonwide LMC have raised with SEL ICB the problem of Synnovis reported high HbA1c readings. We are aware this has a number of implications for our patients, ourselves and our contractual targets.
Awards submissions close – end of October
On a happier note, Londonwide LMCs are seeking nominations for the 2026 London General Practice Awards. Please nominate yourself and your colleagues by 31 October 2025, ahead of the awards event in Parliament on 5 February 2026.
Refreshed Londonwide LMCs Buying Group
Our substantially updated Buying Group offer is now live, bringing high quality products, service, opportunities and offers to London general practice at the best prices and with the best possible deals.
The offer now includes a supplier for each of these areas: consumables, insurance, training and practice support and wellbeing (including free and discounted tickets to music, theatre and sports events). In addition, we have four suppliers for digital and tech services covering: cloud telephony, records digitisation, call-and-recall automation and patient registration automation.
We hope to see some of you at the in-person Lambeth PLT on November 26th. Otherwise, do get in touch via seldn@lmc.org.uk, David.Moore@lmc.org.uk or james.winstanley@lmc.org.uk if you wish to raise anything with us.
Yours Faithfully,
Dr Penelope Jarrett
Chair
Lambeth LMC