Guidance

The guidance section holds relevant information on a widerange of subjects related to general practice. Guidance is available either from the links below or by using the Search Guidance box on this page.

Focus on vaccines and immunisations - updated November 2020 - 16 November 2021

Updated text (November 2020): The BMA’s guidance of 10 November 2020 on the latest vaccination programme and fees is available by clicking here. Previous text (June 2012): This revised General Practitioners Committee (GPC) ‘focus on vaccines and immunisations’ guidance has now been updated following the publication of...

Focus on hepatitis B immunisations - updated September 2020 - 10 November 2021

GPs are often requested to give hepatitis B immunisation for travel; for occupational health; and for medical reasons (eg IV drug use for renal disease). What vaccinations to use and what to charge for is confusing. The BMA has produced some helpful guidance which can be accessed by

LMC finance workshops 2015 - information for GPs and their practice teams - 10 November 2021

We ran three well received finance workshops in 2015 which saw over 300 GPs and practice managers in attendance. Following an overwhelming response to these events we have gathered and reviewed the information provided and received by both the speakers and practices. A frequently...

Focus on Subject Access Requests for insurance purposes - September 2019 - 10 November 2021

The BMA's guidance covers SARs and principles to follow.

Updated PGD and PSD guidance - 10 November 2021

The GPC’s guidance on Patient Group Directions (PGD) and Patient Specific Directions (PSD) in general practice was last updated in 2015. There have been no changes to the legislation relating to PGDs during the Covid-19 pandemic. The CQC guidance is helpful too as it references PCNs. Click here to see the...

Patient Engagement Project - 10 November 2021

Londonwide LMCs’ Patient Engagement Project was built on the principle that patient engagement is integral to high quality, sustainable general practice. The project has developed tools and resources for London GP practice teams to use for work collaboratively with their patients principally starting with their PPG. Many of us have...

PCSE claims guidance - 10 November 2021

GP payments and queries (correct at 12 March 2021) Primary Care Support England (PSCE) has been working hard to make claiming payments a more streamlined service for general practice. The existing PCSE Online service is being expanded ‘making it easier to submit, track and view payments’, and will also allow...

Updated guidance: appointment mapping - 29 June 2021

Practices will be aware that there is a contractual obligation to complete appointment mapping by the end of July. To ensure that the data is accurate this will take some time and planning. We have updated our summary of the national guidance with some tips to improve your data accuracy....

CQC - fit person interview - 25 March 2021

Download the LMC presentation on the fit person interview here.

Premises guidance - 18 March 2021

Most of this guidance is applicable to practices in NHS Property Services (NHSPS) and Community Health Partnerships premises. Some is applicable to all tenants, such as the rent review process. Policy for financial assistance with premises running costs and service charges NHS England London region and London CCGs developed a...

Seasonal Flu Campaign 2020-2021 - 06 January 2021

In view of the risk of co-circulation of seasonal flu and Covid-19 this winter, the 2020/21 national flu campaign will be essential in protecting our vulnerable patients and reducing clinical workload due to flu. The following information is intended as a living guide for the...

Police requests for medical records - 20 September 2017

The BMA has provided new guidance to GPs regarding requests from the Police to access patient medical records. The letter initially describes the circumstances in which the Police can request voluntary disclosure of a patient’s records, under Section 29 of the Data Protection Act. However, GPs should not disclose such...

Practice Mergers Guidance - 19 October 2016

More practices are choosing to merge as a way of meeting the workforce and financial challenges GPs face. We have produced new guide to practices through this process.

Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) - 27 January 2014

APMS is one of the four routes available for primary care organisations (PCOs) to make provision for primary medical services to patients. Its introduction has broadened the range of potential providers from whom PCOs can commission services. PCOs may commission APMS to provide essential services, additional services, including where GMS/PMS practices...

Personal Medical Services (PMS) - 27 January 2014

These services are governed by the NHS PMS Agreement Regulations. The agreements are locally negotiated and have the ability to introduce local flexibilities not available under the GMS contract. Elements of PMS agreements are governed by the Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE). PMS practices are able to provide enhanced...

CQC registration - what you need to know - BMA guidance - 27 January 2014

This BMA guidance provides a straightforward explanation of the registration process, to help providers determine whether they are compliant with the CQC’s essential standards, and to explain what will happen once providers are registered. CQC registration – what you need to know - Guidance for GPs (BMA...