NHS England and CCGs investigating half-day closing sub-contracting arrangements
NHS England and various London CCGs have been carrying out analysis of practices’ opening hours based on the information provided in their E-Declarations. Some commissioners have identified practices who have declared that they close for half a day per week and have examined their sub-contracting arrangements in line with the guidance issued by NHS England in December 2017.
In the majority of the cases that we have seen so far, commissioners have determined that the practices’ sub-contracting arrangements are not satisfactory as they are not meeting their patients’ reasonable needs. Their definition of patients’ needs is derived from the 2017 NHS England guidance.
Practices in this situation be given three months to either terminate their current sub-contracting arrangements and open throughout core hours (8:00am to 6.30pm), or make alternative arrangements with a sub-contractor who is able to provide access to services as defined in NHS England’s guidance. Practices have been warned that failure to comply with this Contract Advisory Notice will result in contractual action against them.
As NHS England’s guidance was issued by their national team, we have escalated this issue formally to the BMA’s General Practitioners’ Committee (GPC), because they are responsible for national level negotiations.
If your practice receives a formal breach/remedial notice from NHS England/your local CCG, please notify our GP Support team as soon as possible at: gpsupport@lmc.org.uk.
You may also wish to refer to our Winter Planning Guidance.
Last updated : 25 Jan 2019May 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
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.