There is an opportunity to clarify and share some key messages about general practice workforce in London from our newly elected committees with local MPs and into local systems. In order to inform Londonwide LMCs on your concerns, we would also welcome your comments via info@lmc.org.uk by no later than Friday 31 October. The BMA are working up a national response.
Key points you might wish to consider in any response to the consultation:
- Workforce meeting local needs and being bespoke to local communities, with localised determination of scaled solution based on patient demographics and levels of requirement for that service in that geography.
- Safe practice and clinical capability, considering when and how concerns are flagged and actioned.
- Sharing learning from successes and failings in workforce pilots and programmes.
- Considering appropriate scale for service provision, where do practice-level GPs add value (eg continuity of care, team working, belonging, psychological safety and safe care, clinical leadership, ability to respond to feedback and need quickly with cohesive clinically led practice team).
- Training needs to meet the role of GP in a range of practices sizes, servicing a range of patient needs and groups.
- Appropriateness of expectations around GP supervision of non-GP practice-based roles in lieu of structured, funded, training and assessment scheme.
- Challenges of increased complexity, increasing the need for continuity and holistic care, and growing clinical risk versus growth of transactional care.
- Reflecting on the appropriateness of top-down workforce plans and introduction of limitations and restrictions on GP recruitment in favour of additional names roles and position without consideration of holistic outcomes and needs, rather than locally determined staffing needs.