November 2018 premises update
This month's update includes our new premises support group and the fact we will be making contact with practices who are flagged to us as being in need of urgent assistance.
LMC support with premises Issues
NHS England/CCGs have a duty to consult with the LMC over issues that impact General Practice, including premises/estates issues. We have set up a GP Premises Liaison Group with Surrey & Sussex LMCs and Barking & Havering LMCs to meet regularly with NHS England London Region, CHP and NHSPS to discuss strategic, policy and operational issues. We are aware that there are ongoing issues where practices need individual support and we have agreed with NHS England London/CCGs, CHP and NHSPS that they should encourage you to contact GP support for confidential assistance and advice before further action is taken, including legal action. They may also confidentially highlight to GP support out of meetings where a practice may need urgent individual assistance; this may result in you receiving a call from one of our GP Support team. Please contact us if you have any concerns regarding this. We are aware that practices are under significant stress and would like to reassure you that our GP support team is here to assist.
Occupancy Agreement Letters
Wes are aware that NHSPS are sending practices Occupancy Agreement Letters and Occupancy Change Notices for completion and return. Please note these have not been agreed with the GPC or LMCs. These documents should be treated with extreme caution, and professional advice sought from an appropriately qualified legal adviser with healthcare/general Practice knowledge and experience before you sign anything. You are under no obligation to sign the agreement if you do not agree to its terms.
London policy for financial assistance with service charges and premises running costs
NHS England London region and London CCGs have developed a policy with London LMCs for accessing financial support for service charges and premises running costs. Please contact GP support on gpsupport@lmc.org.uk for more information. Please note, there is a gateway with eligibility criteria including: full disclosure of income and expenditure on an open book and annual basis, and production of an action plan to demonstrate how you will optimise your income and reduce expenditure over the next 12 months.
Transitional funding
Such arrangements should only be entered into where you are entirely satisfied that when the transitional period ends you are not inadvertently left having to meet increased costs without the benefit of increased funding. In the view of the BMA and LLMCs, transitional arrangements should be avoided. More permanent solutions which align a practice’s funding to their costs are needed.
Service charges
Practices should only make payments to the extent that they are both satisfied as to the legal basis upon which they are payable and their accuracy, and set aside/accrue funds while you resolve your concerns. We are aware that this issue is causing practices significant stress. You can access support through gpsupport@lmc.org.uk. If NHSPS take action to enforce charges against you please contact gpsupport@lmc.org.uk immediately; you may also wish to contact the GPC on gpcpremises@bma.org.uk.
Last updated : 21 May 2019
‘Innovative and interesting’ HCA course now incorporates the 15 Care Certificate Standards (21 Nov 2017)
“I would recommend it to other HCAs, a very good course”. “The trainers were excellent”. “Facilitators have a good knowledge of their subjects and they explained clearly”. These are just...London Health and Care Devolution Memorandum of Understanding signed (21 Nov 2017)
The London Health and Care Devolution Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed last week by London, national partners and central government. We currently have some high-level details which we can...BMA referral to a specialist patient leaflet (17 Nov 2017)
The BMA has launched a new leaflet which is designed to provide patients with information on what to expect when referred to a specialist. The leaflet can be downloaded...Practice managers please respond to records update email (17 Nov 2017)
In the next few weeks, we will be sending an email to all practice managers asking them to confirm the GPs who are working at their practice, please look out...Request for hospitals to issue fit notes gets results (17 Nov 2017)
Our recent letters to hospital trusts asking them to issue fit notes to patients rather than referring them back to GPs has had a positive response from Imperial College Healthcare...Londonwide LMCs motions at England LMC Representative Conference (17 Nov 2017)
The first Conference of England LMCs took place on 10 November in London. The full list of motions, including which parts were carried can be downloaded here. A summary...Chairs and vice chairs look at cross-LMC working (25 Oct 2017)
Last week’s meeting of Londonwide LMCs’ leaders looked at cross-LMC working, to make sure we are ready to represent members as the NHS brings in new organisations as part of...Participant practices wanted for unique stress and workload study (25 Oct 2017)
Update February 2018: The Primary Care Barometer is now up and running! As of December 2017 practice managers across London have had the exciting opportunity to participate in a novel survey...GPC guidance on requirements for PREVENT training (23 Oct 2017)
Section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (the Act) places a duty on certain bodies (“specified authorities” listed in Schedule 6 to the Act), in the exercise of...Extended hours DES update (23 Oct 2017)
The 2017/18 changes to the GP contract included the condition that meant practices who regularly close for a half day, on a weekly basis, will not ordinarily qualify to deliver...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.
follow us on...
