Londonwide LMCs is the clinically led independent voice of GPs in the capital, supporting and representing 27 borough Local Medical Committees across the Capital.
We aim to secure the future of general practice in London through our work with all partners in the health and social care sector and beyond and by supporting and representing over 7,000 GPs and 1,100 practices in London through the 27 locally elected committees that we serve. Our vision is to value, care for and protect practices, practice staff and patients across London.
Local Medical Committees (LMCs) and PCNs
LMCs are a stable part of the NHS landscape and have been in place, supporting GPs, for over a century.
Recognised in statute under the NHS Act as the representative organisation for NHS general practice, LMCs remain the only independent, elected, representative body for local GPs, providing advice, guidance and support on a range of issues that affect general practice. They are made up of practising GPs and practice staff elected by local GPs.
Londonwide LMCs provides individual LMCs, PCNs, practices and practice staff with support and guidance on pan-London and local issues, via our expert primary care, medical directorate, communications, resources, GP support and training teams.
We provide advice on safe working, help with commissioner engagement, support for individual GPs who may be experiencing problems at work, guidance on contractual compliance, development and training for practice staff, help with business planning or financial savings, and more.
Supporting PCNs now
We support PCNs in a wide range of ways, and at a number of levels:
Individual PCNs:
- We commissioned LMC Law to provide Network Agreement documentation, include template schedules and guidance.
- Considerable work supporting reconstitution of PCNs, from departing members and creating of new PCNs, to maintaining relationships, financial settlements, ARRS TUPE agreements, subcontracting advice and much more.
- Our scheduled training can be viewed here and this brochure details the full range of training that can be provided, should PCNs wish to commission training to meet a specific need.
At a borough level:
- We support unified voice work, partner with PCNs in contract negotiation, support system working, and pushing back on un-resourced work.
At an ICB level:
- We negotiate for cost-recovered commissioning, collaboratively developed LES, support new PCN formation, and advise and advocate for fair funding for general practice at all levels of delivery.
At a regional level:
- We represent all of general practice’s interests in major changes e.g integrated neighbourhood teams (INTs), provide a voice for general practice at the highest level, and engage at a strategic policy level.
At a national level
- We liaise with the national team and feed back to LMCs reps/ PCN clinical directors (CDs), listening to and collating local concerns to raise when appropriate with National team. We also work closely with key opinion formers including journalists and elected and non-elected opinion formers.
Recent specific PCN supporting activities include:
- Network Agreement schedules, contractual matters, PCN DES requirements, ARRS roles, Investment and Impact Fund etc.
- Engagement with commissioners as required.
- Personal and professional advice to PCN CDs and managers about assorted matters related to their role.
- Advice and liaison with commissioners re: PCN premises issues.
- Data sharing agreements.
- Voting structures, votes of no confidence, election of new CDs.
- PCN splits and formations of new PCNs.
- Disputes/reconfigurations (depending on the request this may fall outside of the core GP Support offer but, where appropriate, we can offer a facilitation process) incl practices leaving/joining, practice expulsions.
Supporting PCNs in the future
Mindful of the known and unknown challenges facing general practice in the Capital in the coming months and years, we are making plans to enable us to continue to support PCNs and general practice in a wide range of ways, and at a number of levels, looking into the future:
- Known challenges – we will continue to support practices and develop a broader understanding of the experiences and needs of GPs and their teams, working collaboratively on initiatives such as the current Integrated Neighbourhood Team programme, developing our strategic and policy development role).
- Undefined challenges – we are mindful of the pending 10 Year Plan for the NHS and the Comprehensive Spending Review. We continue to develop powerful political and stakeholder relationships to better advocate for London general practices and PCNs, and represent your views.
- Unknown challenges – we are cognisant that there will always be surprises, we understand the importance of resilience and continuity for practitioners, practices, and PCNs. We are constantly looking for opportunities to innovate, and support agility, diversity adaptability. We are involved in training staff, supporting data security and compliance as the operating environment adapts and develops, and seeking appropriate commercial opportunities to support the continuity of the general practice model.