Digital first and APMS contracts
During summer 2020 there have been discussions about the possibility of creating new APMS contracts in areas deemed to be ‘under-doctored’ by NHS England and local commissioners. This follows on from a process started in 2018 in which NHS England began looking at the the role of digital first providers in general practice, which was then developed and discussed through two consultations and a board paper. As the representative body for London general practice we have taken a keen interest in representing the views of grassroots GPs and their practice teams throughout this process.
The NHS England presentation, shared with some CCGs to explain some of the ideas being considered, can be viewed here.
We are regularly asked to comment on issues affecting London general practice, here is our statement on the current issues:
NHS England consultations:
- NHS England consultation on digital first from July 2018.
- Londonwide LMCs’ response summary to the 2018 consultation (including a link to our full response).
- NHS England consultation on digital first from June 2019 (focussing more on APMS and procurement).
- Londonwide LMCs’ response summary to the 2019 consultation (including a link to our full response).
In the 2019 consultation response we said:
“We are concerned that APMS contracts are notoriously unstable and poor vehicles for the provision of the continuous and effective health care relationships beneficial to patients and staff. Considering the benefits of stable and continuous patient care and a sustainable and stable workforce, we believe that commissioners would see improved patient outcomes through increased investment and support for GMS contracts which are nationally negotiated, and provide long term stability for patients and staff."
NHS England Board paper regarding the findings of the digital first consultations discussed and adopted in September 2019:
Last updated : 24 Sep 2020I want great care IT system (11 Nov 2015)
The new Co-ordinate My Care (CMC) IT system will launch on 24 November. There are important steps for GPs to take, particularly those who have not seen the pre-launch communications...Speaker's Corner - moustache aficionado Dr Tony Grewal looks at men’s health issues for "Movember" (11 Nov 2015)
This month moustache aficionado Dr Tony Grewal looks at men’s health issues for "Movember", Londonwide LMCs staff raised over £100 for the Movember charity. Tony writes: November is the month when...November 2015 newsletter now available (11 Nov 2015)
Londonwide LMCs NewsletterUpdate on successful resolution of first Christmas 2013 breach case (10 Nov 2015)
The legal challenge brought against breach notices issued by NHSE to practices who closed their doors on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve in 2013 has ended in a successful...Keeping on top of bureaucracy in your practice (09 Nov 2015)
Jeremy Hunt recently announced plans to cut bureaucracy in the health service, including ending the practice of hospitals referring patients who miss appointments back to GPs and consolidating the...Appeal: support the homeless this winter (09 Nov 2015)
Londonwide LMCs’ communications team recently met with Dr Paul O’Reilly and Practice Manager Tanya O’Brien of the Doctor Hickey Surgery in Westminster. Both spoke powerfully about the vulnerable groups...Provider development event round-up (06 Nov 2015)
Londonwide LMCs, in collaboration with Healthy London Partnership co-hosted an event on 4th November at the Kia Oval attended by over 100 representatives from emerging GP Provider Groups, CCGS and...Female Genital Mutilation Datasets briefing note (04 Nov 2015)
Practices are now legally required to report Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC). The purpose of the data collection is to improve the NHS...PMS contract review update (03 Nov 2015)
This briefing is for information only for GMS practices This update follows our recent PMS briefing: in areas where CCGs have already moved to Level 3 co-commissioning, (fully delegated responsibilities)...Darzi report one year on - 'Primary care stretched to breaking point and still waiting for resources' (21 Oct 2015)
Dr Michelle Drage comments on the implementation of the Better Health for London (Darzi) report, to coincide with the one-year anniversary of its publication and the London: One Year On...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.