Londonwide LMCs' September 2021 Newsletter

Recognising emotional challenges and asking for support

Dr Phil Moore, Mental Health Clinical Co-Director for the NHS in London, co-chair of London’s Suicide Prevention Group writes about the pressures on the general practice workforce for World Suicide Prevention.

Westminster update

The Health and Care Bill continues to progress through Parliament, the NHS Autumn and Winter Plan has been announced and the Health Select Committee is taking evidence on cancer care.

BMA Annual Representative Meeting summary

The ARM passed our motion on no-fault compensation and headlines were made by the BMA’s move to be neutral on physician-assisted dying.

Remember to use BEAM to LMC to highlight the pressure you are under

Our BEAM to LMC mobile app, which enables you to tell us about the pressures you are under from commissioners and others, is proving popular. Make sure you check the app for push notifications.

Media and public affairs round-up

On 20 September, Dr Michelle Drage, our CEO, was quoted in a GPOnline article about the attack on staff at a Manchester practice. On 13 September, Michelle was quoted in the BMJ in an article about GPs being blamed for the Government’s failings. On 31 August, Dr Elliott Singer, one of our Medical Directors, appeared on BBC Five Live to talk about the impact of blood tube shortages. On 24 August, Dr Simon Parton, Chair of Lewisham LMC, and Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell, our Deputy CEO, appeared on BBC London News as part of their coverage of our campaign against practice staff abuse. On 22 and 23 August, Michelle was quoted in the Independent and Daily Mirror speaking about abuse of practice staff.

We continue to be very active in promoting the interests of London GPs and practice staff on 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.

www.lmc.org.uk