World Mental Health Day
We marked World Mental Health Day (Monday 10 October) by sharing resources on social media, including perspectives on managing patients’ mental health and supporting good mental health among GPs.
Reflective Practice Masterclasses
- Our Reflective Practice Masterclasses are intended to help practitioners manage their mental wellbeing and find a state of equilibrium. The next session will be held on 10 November and places are still available.
- This is the second year we have run the Reflective Masterclasses. Dr Clare Gerada’s reflections on the aims of the masterclasses held last winter outlines why the sessions are so valuable.
Mental Health and Workload Pressures
We recently held a newsletter snap poll on whether workload pressures were affecting the mental health of practice staff, 93% of respondents said “yes”.
Mental Health Guest blogs
Over the last year some of our guest bloggers have considered mental health issues:
- In July Ed Rosen explained how the Lambeth GP food co-op use the experience of growing food to provide a positive outlet for patients with mental health issues.
- In June diabetes expert Dr Neel Basudev wrote about the importance of ‘breaking the cycle of despair’ associated with helping patients to successfully manage their weight.
- In December Dr Paul O’Reilly wrote about his work treating on the treating homless people in Westminster, who disproportionately suffer from mental illness and addiction.
- In November Dr Tony Grewal wrote a piece on ‘Movember’ and men’s health, including the importance of getting men to share their health concerns as soon as they think something may be wrong.
GPs and mental health in the media
- In May, a few months before joining Londonwide LMCs as one of our Medical Directors, Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer talked to BBC Radio 5Live about GPs facing burnout.
- Dr Elliott Singer’s practice was featured in the BBC’s The Doctor Who Gave Up Drugs last month, looking at ways of treating various conditions through lifestyle changes, including depression. Elliott is a Londonwide LMCs Medical Director.
- Dr Zoe Norris, GPC Sessional Sub Committee Chair, wrote a piece in last month’s Guardian on how she manages her own mental health while working as a GP.
May 2016 workforce survey – Headlines (19 Jul 2016)
Thank you for supporting our May 2016 Workforce. We had a fantastic response from 628 unique practices across the capital. That is the equivalent of nearly half of all the...LMC elections 2016 – results available (19 Jul 2016)
We are pleased to announce that the following GPs have been elected to their respective LMCs for the term 2016 - 2018. Congratulations to all and we sincerely look forward...New patient engagement manager joins Londonwide LMCs (19 Jul 2016)
A warm welcome to Beryl Cross who has joined Londonwide LMCs as Project Manager for our new project to support practices in engaging...Feedback sought on Capita/PCSE performance 18 July - 1 August (19 Jul 2016)
Following concerns expressed about the current Capita/Primary Care Support England (PCSE) records and supplies services, Capita has said it will continue improving systems until they are at an acceptable level....Sustainability and Transformation Plans - July 2016 Update (19 Jul 2016)
Dr Michelle Drage calls for more LMC involvement Dr Michelle Drage was quoted in the Health Service Journal’s coverage of our workforce survey calling for LMC involvement in STP footprint...Speakers' Corner - Dr Ed Rosen from the Lambeth GP Food Co-op (19 Jul 2016)
Ed Rosen is the project director for the Lambeth GP Food Co-op. He has previously worked in a number of patient engagement projects including providing skilled facilitation for patient participation...Londonwide LMCs celebrates the NHS at 68 (18 Jul 2016)
To celebrate the NHS turning 68 on 5 July Dr Michelle Drage wrote a piece for the Huffington Post, asking ‘Is NHS General Practice No Longer a Valued Member...Workforce shortages hit hard as 49% of London GP practices have a vacancy, 43% expect a GP to retire in the next three years and 35 practices are considering closing, survey shows (14 Jul 2016)
As the workforce crumbles in the face of staff shortages, Dr Michelle Drage, Chief Executive of Londonwide LMCs, warns that general practice in London is in a state of emergency...Statement by Dr Michelle Drage on the EU referendum result (24 Jun 2016)
"From London's viewpoint the decision of voters outside our city is going to compound all the challenges we have been faced with and continue to try to manage across the...Hospital sickness certificate poster (22 Jun 2016)
In late May Dr Michelle Drage wrote to London Hospital Trusts asking them to put up a poster which explains to patients that they can get fit notes from hospital...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
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The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.