Main updates
Surviving the 2026-27 GP contract – webinars
There is still time to sign up to our free webinars next week! They are on Tuesday 28 April between 12:30-2:00pm and on Wednesday 29 April between 7:00-8:30pm. Find out about the new contract’s effect on London, with our unique patient population and commissioning arrangements, plus a Q&A on the topics that matter most to you..
Read more
Safety research into electronic patient records and children and young people’s mental health
As part of ongoing constructive working with the independent Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB), we are sharing a request for GP input into current and future investigations on two key issues:
- Electronic patient records, particularly lost/ rejected referrals and loss of functionality affecting patient safety.
- Children and young people’s mental health services, including the high thresholds for accessing specialist services and the risks associated with shared care expectations.
Example of positive housing guidance in Islington
Our LMC in the borough recently shared some of the Council’s guidance that makes clear patients should expect a records summary rather than bespoke letter in support of housing applications.
In March 2026 we shared similar guidance from a pan-South East London piece of work involving LMCs and local authorities.
Read more
New energy supplier joins our Buying Group
With dedicated account management, Equity Energies oversee all aspects of your energy billing and metering, acting as a single, reliable point of contact. By working directly with suppliers on your behalf, they simplify complex processes, resolve issues quickly, and ensure your energy contracts run smoothly and efficiently.
GPC England key updates
- GPCE newsletter
- GPCE 2026-27 contract webinar recording
- Campaign and materials
- Updated safe working guidance
Updated guidance on Advice and Guidance (A&G) and Single Point of Access (SPoA)
The guidance covers:
- A&G must not prevent clinically appropriate referrals.
- SPoAs should streamline referral pathways and not alter GPs’ clinical decisions.
- A&G should support clinical care, not deflect unfunded work into general practice.
- Specialist input must remain accessible to support GPs to work within their clinical competence.
- LMCs should be involved in the development of SPoA pathways and can support practices in cases of referrals inappropriately returned as A&G.
Guidance
- GP seasonal vaccination – additional guidance 2026/27
- Covid and flu ES spec 2026-27
- PCSE newsletter
- NHS England: Neighbourhood health centres guidance
Calendar
April
- 28 – Surviving the 2026-27 GP contract afternoon webinar
- 29 – Surviving the 2026-27 GP contract evening webinar
May
- 6 – Aspiring to partnership – Practice development
- 7 – NHS England GP contract webinar
- 7 – London local council elections
- 13-15 – UK Conference of LMCs in Belfast
- 21 – Group coaching circle 1
June
- 5 – Aspiring to partnership – Practice development
- 12 Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell speaking at MIMS live
- 17 – Medical chaperoning
- 20 – World Refugee Day
- 21 – Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell speaking at Community Pharmacy and GP Conference
- 24 – Asthma masterclass
- 25 – Medical terminology
July
Federated Data Platform debated in Parliament
The Liberal Democrats initiated a debate on whether the FDP would be able to provide the services it is intended to and whether Palantir are an appropriate company to have access to large volumes of NHS patient data. London MPs Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) and Dawn Butler (Brent East) spoke in the debate, both calling for Palantir to be stripped of its role in developing the platform.
Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed defended the contract, saying strict regulation and other protections mitigated the concerns over the ethics of Palantir’s American owners. He also emphasised the need to modernise access to patient data in clinical settings and that Palantir is one of several contractors working on a system that belongs to the NHS.
Read full transcript
Londonwide LMCs jobs board
Our jobs board is free to use and allows practices to post roles they are looking to fill and for individuals to advertise their availability for work.
See available roles
Media and public affairs round-up
Dr Vicky Weeks, our Medical Director for North Central London was quoted in Pulse coverage of ICB concerns about inappropriate workload transfers from trusts to GPs.
We continue to promote the interests of London GPs and practice staff on X (Twitter), Facebook and LinkedIn. If you have an example of general practice doing something well which could make a news story please get in touch. We also support practices that are approached with media requests. You can find details here.
Exclusive deals for practices
Our substantially updated Buying Group offer provides a range of opportunities to save money and improve the quality of products and services you use.
- Hillcroft Surgery Supplies – Get excellent prices and next day delivery on consumables, with a supplier who can respond quickly to your practice needs.
- Practice Index – Access a comprehensive online learning platform, plus packages to manage HR, finance, compliance and rotas.
- Equity Energies – Reduce energy costs, save time, become greener and remove the administrative burden of managing utilities by having experts do it all for you.
- MIAB – Let a specialist GP insurer make sure you have the right cover, with knowledge on developing areas like cyber security, AI scribes and contract holding at PCN level.
- Restore Information Management – Our records digitisation partners can help free up premises space and recent changes with the National Document Repository have improved practices’ options.
- Hippo Labs – Intelligent, end-to-end call-and-recall automation does more than simply send reminders, it tailors messages and helps to improve QOF.
- Surgery Connect – The latest in cloud telephony integrates with clinical systems, provides stats on patient contacts and automates many tasks.
- Tickets for Good – Reward yourself and your colleagues with free and discounted tickets to concerts, theatre shows, sports and more!