Welcome to our monthly update on the key issues affecting GPs and practice teams in London.
Main updates
NHS England changes FP69 guidance on no fixed address, LMC advocacy work continues
Since practices first reported concerns earlier this year we have been asking question, raising concerns and advocating with commissioners, the media, MPs, London local authorities, the voluntary sector and other stakeholders for a change to the process. In the summer NHS England created an exemption from FP69 flags for street homeless patients and those of no fixed address. We are continuing to call for a pause to the current process and greater transparency over the criteria for applying FP69 flags.
Our work has generated specialist and national media coverage, brought MPs and their staff together with London GPs for briefings, and seen ICBs echo our concerns in internal papers. We will continue this month with another per-ICB update to practices, alongside further advocacy activity.
NHS England neighbourhood provider contracts consultation response
This month also saw the end of the first phase of the consultation process on the NHS England consultation on proposed Multi-Neighbourhood Provider (MNP) and Single Neighbourhood Provider (SNP) contracting models to support neighbourhood health services. Our response reflects the core principles around the need to protect and improve care for patients and strengthen general practice. Whilst it is based on what can reasonably be said at this stage, the consultation contains limited detail and we will be updating our position as the proposals develop.
Revised contract documents
NHS England recently published the revised GP contracts and variation notices for 2026.
- Standard GMS contract and variation notice.
- Standard PMS agreement and variation notice.
- Standard APMS contract and variation notice.
Federated Data Platform and patient queries
We are aware that some practices are receiving letters from patients following campaigns from national groups concerning the national Federated Data Platform (FDP). We have created a template letter which practices in London may find useful in response to queries from patients.
The letter reflects the Capital’s unique patient data sharing arrangements, which differ from other regions and some national programmes. The FDP has attracted the attention of campaigners and politicians due to the use of services from Palantir, whose law enforcement and military data gathering contracts in the United States have been the subject of controversy.
Defining what must be delivered within core general practice
Our new guidance looks at GMS Regulation 17, which sets out commissioners’ powers to define what is considered to be core general practice and therefore must be delivered within GMS funding. It is designed to help practices when they are pressured to provide a non-core service in-house, when it is reasonable to refer a patient on to another provider.
Seasonal vaccination guidance 2026/27
We have gathered together relevant information on the flu and Covid vaccination programmes. Steps to work around delays in flu vaccine availability by one of the main suppliers appear to have been largely successful, but practices should still contact the NHS England London Immunisations Team if you have any concerns over supply.
Safety body looking at care of adults with a learning disability when their health deteriorates
The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) has launched an investigation into the care received in the community by adults with learning disabilities, when their health is deteriorating. They are interested in hearing from GPs, including via a focus group held near Waterloo on 21 October. The HSSIB is an independent body with a remit to investigate patient safety concerns and suggest improvements, without assigning blame or liability among those providing care.
Health Bill moves to Lords as BMA calls for data safeguards
The current Health Bill has its second reading in the House of Lords next month. It includes provisions for a single patient record controlled by the Secretary of State and the merger of NHS England with the DHSC.
The BMA have called for greater safeguards to ensure data from GP records is only shared for the purpose of providing direct care and expressed concern over plans to remove the duty of confidentiality. The Government has softened its plans to wholly abolish Healthwatch and has hinted at there being local choice in whether to retain individual branches.
Health and Social Care Select Committee question new CQC Chair
Baroness Julia Neuberger will leave her role as Chair of the Whittington and Joint-Chair of UCLH trusts to become the new Chair of the CQC on 1 October. When questioned by the Commons Health Committee her responses included a commitment to a fairer inspection process that was more grounded in patient experience.
Separately, the All-Party Parliamentary Health Group launched a report calling for greater resources to be put into primary care in order to improve the experience of patients accessing the ‘front door’ of the NHS.
GPC England key updates
- GPC England newsletter
- GPs in England vote to reset relationship with Government ministers ahead of new round of talks
- HSSIB report into advice and guidance is a ‘tragic vindication’ of doctors’ concerns
- Neighbourhoods update
- Focus on: NHS England neighbourhood provider consultation
Guidance
- Two London sites chosen as neighbourhood cancer pilots
- Latest UKHSA figures highlight ongoing Meningitis B risk for students
- Guidance for general practice on improving identification of people with a learning disability
- Met Police response to GLA regarding abuse of NHS staff
- NHS App e-RS notifications
- Updated digital GP services operating model
- Updated AI scribe guidance
- Invasive mosquito species detected in east London
- NHS England webinar recordings
- NAO patient flow through A&E report
Calendar
October
- 5 – Cardiac diagnostics webinar
- 7 – Aspiring to Partnership: Leadership and HR
- 8 – Group coaching circle 2
- 10 – World Mental Health Day
- 13 – Health Bill second reading in House of Lords
- 18 – World Menopause Day
- 21 – HSSIB learning disability care focus group
- 28 – Budget 2026
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
- On 17 August, Dr Elliott Singer, our Deputy CEO, was quoted in a GPonline analysis piece looking at the relationship between economic deprivation and FP69 de-registrations.
- On 6 August, Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell, our CEO and Dr Singer, conducted a London MP briefing on FP69 list cleansing, with two LMC Chairs also sharing their experiences and concerns.
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.
Get new deals with the Londonwide LMCs Buying Group
Our Buying Group suppliers not only offer great deals to practices looking to switch, they also aim to offer the best value to existing customers in the Londonwide LMCs area, including explaining new products and features as they get rolled out.
Our Buying Group suppliers are:
- Hillcroft Surgery Supplies – Get next day delivery and industry leading stock availability, thanks to their investment in substantial warehouse facilities.
- X-on Health – Automates more tasks within your phone system, integrates with clinical records, seamlessly bridges in and out-of-hours and offers ambient scribe technology.
- Practice Index – Pick and choose what you need out of their learning platform, or software to manage HR, finance, compliance and rotas.
- Hippo Labs – Have your call-and-recall work smarter, reach more patients and improve QOF attainment. Hippo Labs automatically customises many types of message.
- 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 – You existing policies may have more gaps than you think, particularly in developing areas like cyber and ARRS employment. Rely on MIAB’s specialist expertise to ensure you are fully covered.
- Restore Information Management – Whether you need a room full of records doing or a steady flow of new registrations, Restore take the hassle out of digitising patient records.
- Tickets for Good – Reward yourself and your colleagues with free and discounted tickets to concerts, theatre shows, sports and more!