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Independence |
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The LMC is an independent self-financing body with statutory functions. It is not a trade union. This is the role of the BMA. The LMC does function as a trade association.
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Funding |
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The LMC is funded by contributions from GP Practices in a
contract with the NHS to provide General or Personal Medical Services,
In addition, GPs are asked to contribute to a national levy, which is
used to finance the LMC’s contribution to the national GMS Defence
Fund, which pays for the General Practitioners Committee (GPC),
administered by the BMA.
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Elections |
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Elections take place regularly under terms stipulated in
the LMC constitution which is approved by the PCTs to which the
committee relates. Any GP may be nominated for election.
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Core Values |
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The LMC shares the desire of any body that wishes to
ensure a high quality service is delivered to patients within the
resources available. The LMC is committed to the values of:
- Equity and Fairness
- Openness
- Equal opportunities
- Representation – working to ensure that all
advice provided is representative of all GPs.
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Representation |
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Wherever possible, the LMC works co-operatively with the
Health Authority, Primary Care Trusts and other organisations to ensure
patients receive services and care in accordance with the profession’s
local and national priorities. Wherever necessary, the LMC robustly
defends the profession’s views when those of others conflict with what
we believe is in our patients’ best interests. The LMC represents and
advises on all matters concerning:
GP Practices as providers of NHS services including:
- GP contracts, both independent and salaried
- The NHS Directions, regulations, the GPs’ Terms of
Service statements of financial eligibility. the PMS (Personal
Medical Services) equivalent
- Strategic Health Authority and Primary Care Trust
(PCT) policy and plans.
- The NHS complaints process and disciplinary
procedures
- Liaison with other agencies, NHS Trusts , local
authority Social Services and voluntary services.
GP
Practices as commissioners of services including:
- Primary Care Trusts
- Relationships with Community and Acute Trusts
- The LMC has the right to be consulted about the use
of GMS resources by Health Authorities and PCG/Ts
GPs as professionals:
- Education and training – undergraduate,
postgraduate and vocational training, continuing professional
development
- Professionally-led regulation and professional
standards – ethical, conduct and performance, including clinical
governance
- Workforce planning
- Liaison with consultant and hospital colleagues
- Collaboration with the General Medical Council and
NCAA
- Collaboration with national professional bodies –
British Medical Association, Royal College of General Practitioners
- Occupational health issues, e.g. sick doctors
- Liaison with other professions allied to medicine
- Development of Practice staff and partnership.
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National Representation and Negotiation |
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The LMC represents local GP practice views nationally
through the professional representative mechanisms outlined below:
Local voices:
GPs can submit proposals to the LMC at any time through
their local LMC representative; In addition, proposals are distilled
from debate at the LMC over the course of the year for submission to the
Annual Conference of LMCs.
National voices:
The ‘parliament’ for GPs is the General Practitioners
Committee (GPC) which meets monthly throughout the year. The GPC is the
standing committee of the British Medical Association with full
authority to deal with all matters affecting NHS GPs, whether or not
they are BMA members. It is recognised by the Department of Health as
NHS GPs’ sole negotiating body. Every part of the country has at least
one spokesperson on the GPC to present its views and debate key issues.
Throughout the year, papers are produced for discussion at LMCs and from
time to time the GPC consults all GPs directly through surveys and
questionnaires.
National debate and policy setting:
GPC representatives and LMC representatives meet annually
at the National Conference of LMCs. Proposals from individual LMCs
across the country are debated alongside those from the GPC. The outcome
of the debate determines the framework for the profession’s
negotiations at both national and local levels.
National negotiation:
This takes place continually between the Secretary of
State and his/her team of negotiators and the profession’s national
negotiating team. The Secretary of State’s team is supported by the
senior civil service, the NHSE and the resources of the NHS. The
profession’s national negotiating team is elected annually by members
of the GPC, and is supported by other professionals including public
affairs and relations staff. The issues negotiated nationally mirror
those at local level, but also include the submission of evidence to the
Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body for pay purposes.
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Local Representation |
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The LMC consists of GPs elected on a constituency basis,
and includes representation from GMS and PMS GPs, non-principal GPs and
GP registrars. In addition, members are co-opted when appropriate; The
LMC meets every two months in full session and between meetings in PCT
groups at liaison meetings.
Representatives attend other meetings where appropriate.
The LMC works closely with Dorset LMC, to ensure effective
representation across the Strategic Health Authority.
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Helping Individual GPs and Practices |
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The LMC provides help and advice to assist GPs and
practice managers steer through the NHS. Such help is available on all
matters relevant to general practice including:
- GPs’ remuneration
- GPs’ terms and conditions of service
- Complaints
- Premises
- Partnership affairs
- Employment matters
- Any disputes which may occur between GPs and the PCTs
of which they are part
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Communication |
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The LMC regards communication between representatives,
constituent GPs and practices as essential, and is ever striving to
improve this. The LMC communicates with GPs and practices in many ways
including:
- Monthly Newsletters; distributed to all GPs and
practices
- Website at www.somersetlmc.co.uk containing
news, guidance notes, media coverage, discussion groups and more
- Professional meetings/seminars/Conferences
- Information bulletins on major issues and summaries
of national guidance
- The medical press
- Open meetings; surveys
- Consultation with specific GPs
- Telephone, email, fax and mail
- Annual report
- Local LMC representative
Last updated:
Somerset LMC © 2007