Dear colleague,
Chair’s introduction
Welcome to the Waltham Forest LMC Newsletter. My name is Dr Asad Ashraf and it is a privilege to write my first introduction as Chair. Many of you will know me from my roles across the borough and North East London. I have served as Vice Chair for the past two years, and I now step into the Chair role for this three year term. Alongside this, I continue as a GP Partner, PCN Clinical Director, the current Chief Clinical Information Officer for North East London, and the BMA GP Committee England representative for NEL.
This is a challenging period for general practice. With ongoing struggles between GPCE and the Department of Health and Social Care, the introduction of the new ten year plan, and emerging conversations about integrators in London, many practices understandably feel a sense of uncertainty. The likelihood of an imposed contract with minimal additional funding has created further concern across practices and PCNs. As Chair, I want to reassure you that I, alongside my LMC colleagues, will continue to fight for the GP voice at every level. We remain committed to ensuring that neighbourhood contracts land within general practice and that any system reforms strengthen, rather than erode, the independent contractor model.
Much of the LMC’s work happens quietly in the background. Over the past year we have focused heavily on protecting Waltham Forest’s KPI and SNS income while championing further investment into primary care. This will continue to be a core priority, especially as unfunded work grows and practices face increasing operational and financial pressure.
Looking ahead, my main ambition is to strengthen unity across all GPs and practices in Waltham Forest and across North East London. A collective, confident and informed voice is essential if we are to shape the future of our system. Over the next three years, I hope we can move towards a more sustainable general practice with a workforce that feels supported, valued and aligned, and with the equalised level of funding we were promised six years ago.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment and for everything you do for our patients and communities. I look forward to working with all of you as we build a stronger, more united future for general practice in Waltham Forest.
Waltham Forest LMC Membership and Contact info
New LMC membership
There have been several new members elected and co-opted to the LMC this summer and autumn. Welcome to Dr Imran Ahmad, Dr Jas Chana, Dr Nida Hafiz, Dr Ashley Layer, Dr Becky Nielsen and, returning to the LMC after a break, Dr Gabriel Ivbijaro (Vice Chair) and Dr Naheed Khan-Lodhi. They join continuing members Dr Asad Ashraf (Chair), Dr Shaz Kang, Dr Abdul Sheikh and Dr Rameet Singh Uberoi, and Practice Manager rep David Samuel. Also continuing as a very long-standing LMC member, but stepping down as Chair after four years’ highly capable service in that role, is Dr Mike Grenville.
Farewell
We say goodbye with our sincere thanks to the LMC members stepping down Dr Adam Borowski, Dr Nabila Din, Dr Mathu Kanthasamy, Dr Dinesh Kapoor and Dr Sanjoy Kumar.
What has Waltham Forest LMC been working on recently?
Secondary interface
Following LMC representations, Barts Health at Whipps Cross were planning to give more staff resource to Advice & Guidance/Referral, with the intention of making these channels more responsive to GPs and patients. They have said they are open to feedback on how departments are doing so please let us know if you are experiencing issues.
29 January event
We will be hosting an in-person event for all GPs in Waltham Forest. This will be an opportunity to come together as a borough, meet the LMC members, understand the work we do, and raise issues of concern across practices and PCNs. The event will take place on Thursday 29 January from 6.00 to 9.00pm, and we encourage all GPs, Practice Managers and PCN Managers to attend.
Book your free ticket on Eventbrite here. We look forward to seeing you there.
MAAR charts
The LMC has formally raised concerns with NELFT regarding the ongoing unfunded work associated with completing MAAR charts. As a result of this, we have already secured several important changes for practices: (1) the removal of Authorisation Forms, (2) the removal of any requirement for wet signatures, and (3) the introduction of a dedicated SPA form for palliative care, which will now be prepopulated to reduce workload. Work is also underway to streamline the Syringe Driver form, with Dr Constable leading on this piece.
North East London sector issues
Many issues affecting Waltham Forest are also NEL-wide and we work closely with our counterparts in other boroughs. There is also a newsletter for the sector work – the November issue covered issues including MAAR charts, antenatal prescriptions, same-day emergency care, the community pharmacy project and Londonwide LMCs’ refreshed Buying Group for general practice. You can read it here.
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.
Waltham Forest LMC
You can find contact information, meeting dates and membership information for Waltham Forest LMC here.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Asad Ashraf, Chair, Waltham Forest LMC