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 2021World Mental Health Day 2021 (20 Oct 2021)
For World Mental Health Day we recorded the advice of LMC Chair Emma Rowley-Conwy on how she has managed workplace stress through the pandemic.Next workforce survey due November 2021 (20 Oct 2021)
Our latest workforce survey will be arriving with practices via email next month, this is the 12th such survey we have had conducted via polling company ComRes. The data gathered from...Abuse of practice staff – October 2021 update (20 Oct 2021)
Our work pushing back against abuse of practice staff continues to be our highest priority. We will soon be meeting with representatives of the Met Police following our letter...Londonwide LMCs' October 2021 Newsletter (20 Oct 2021)
Reminding patients of Pension Credits (19 Oct 2021)
Thousands of London’s pensioners on low incomes may not be getting the Pension Credits they are entitled to, GP practices can help by displaying reminder materials about who can claim....Free training for early career GPs (19 Oct 2021)
Early career and trainee GPs in London are eligible for a free leadership programme provided by Next Generation GP, consisting of workshops and talks running from December 2021 to May...Covid-19 booster shots for practice staff (19 Oct 2021)
Health care workers can now book their Covid-19 vaccination boosters through the National Booking Service (NBS) or by contacting their local PCN site. Staff booster vaccinations can be administered no earlier...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...
