Integrated Care Systems, NHS legislation proposals and Standard Contract changes
Recent weeks have seen a number of NHS structural changes proposed and/or consulted on by NHSE and the Department for Health and Social Care.
On 11 February the Government published a White Paper, outlining their plans for new health legislation, including enshrining Integrated Care Systems (ICS) in law and potentially allowing them to become new NHS Trusts. The full paper is called Integration and innovation: working together to improve health and social care for all and the speech introducing it to the House of Commons can be viewed here.
The White Paper mentions having general practice representation on ICS boards, but representation at Board and other levels is yet to be finalised and is likely to differ from area to area. Other high-level plans include reforming health regulators, returning to the Secretary of State many of the powers handed to the CEO of NHS England in 2012, delegation of some commissioning functions, and the introduction of new powers and duties.
An NHS England consultation on changes to the Standard Contract closed at the start of February. Our response focussed on the need to resolve issues with the primary/secondary care interface, a greater GP role in new decision-making processes being introduced as part of the move towards ICS, and the need for an independent guardian or watchdog to provide counsel in the event that there are difficulties collaborating. Our full response can be read here.
The wide-ranging NHS England consultation on proposed legislative changes to facilitate the creation of legal structures for ICS closed on 8 January. NHS England’s overview of the consultation can be read here and Londonwide LMCs’ full consultation response is here.
A further consultation on the Provider Selection Regime closes on 7 April. Please do let us know your thoughts, via Sam Dowling, our Director of Communications and Marketing.
The King's Fund have recently published a report titled: Integrated care systems in London: Challenges and opportunities ahead.
Last updated : 25 Feb 2021GMC publish new consent guidance (21 Oct 2020)
The GMC have updated their guidance in relation to consent – the guidance comes into effect on 9 November 2020 and can be accessed at the link below: Guidance...Health Select Committee pandemic report (21 Oct 2020)
Amongst other things,Parliament’s Health and Social Care Select Committee called for improvements in referral handling at the primary/secondary care interface, better staff testing (including for GPs and staff) and quoted...Tips of the Month October 2020 (21 Oct 2020)
We provide weekly tips based on common queries which come through to us from London GPs and practice teams. These are shared via social media and collated for...Londonwide LMCs' October 2020 Newsletter (21 Oct 2020)
...NHS 111 First roll-out (21 Oct 2020)
By 1 December NHS 111 will be able to book appointments at emergency departments (EDs) within all London hospitals. This will coincide with a campaign encouraging patients to contact NHS...Calling all general practice managers, business managers, HR managers, finance managers, operational managers, managing partners and site managers (24 Sep 2020)
As part of our Practice Manager Development project, we are able to offer you an opportunity to take-up a fully...Appraisal resumes and GMC to consider Coronavirus impact during investigations (23 Sep 2020)
NHS England has instructed GPs to resume the appraisal process from 1 October, although this will be in a form which is intended to reduce the amount of paperwork involved,...Coronavirus protection for London general practice (23 Sep 2020)
As the only truly independent voice for London general practice, Londonwide LMCs continues to provide constructive challenge on behalf of GPs, nurses and the whole team in each and every...London level Coronavirus response (23 Sep 2020)
We continue to provide an active voice for London general practice, working with the Mayor’s Office, London Assembly and London Councils to raise awareness of the needs of GP practices...Guidance
We provide expert guidance for practices in our guidance section, as well as an archive of other materials you may find useful.
GP Support
Contact our GP Support team if you need help or advice.
The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.