greenwich lmc december 2011...17 pensions and locum gps 18 general practitioners committee (gpc)...
TRANSCRIPT
Greenwich lmc December 2011 Representing GPs and practice teams in Greenwich
In this month’s LMC news: Click on the links below to be taken directly to the news item of your choice
Newsflash! 1 myhealthlondon – tips on managing your reputation online
2 NHS 111 update from NHS London
3 Changes to the RCN indemnity scheme from January 2012 – important update for all practices and their
nurses
Local news 4 Guidance on the differences between a LES and Non-LES incentive schemes
5 Alcohol Treatment update
General news 6 GP commissioning – latest news
7 Lighting the path – supplement 2 released
8 Let Londonwide LEAD help you train your staff
9 Challenge Gary to save your practice money!
10 Londonwide LMCs Ltd and Londonwide Enterprise Ltd annual general meeting (AGM)
11 Londonwide LMCs in the news – don’t miss Dr Michelle Drage’s advice on how practices can prepare for the
future
12 New Director of Resources at Londonwide LMCs
13 Scam alert – CQC registration and the Health Care Research Association (HCRA)
14 Safeguarding your premises and income
15 Performers list regulations – important reminder for GPs
16 New guide to the benefit system for GPs
17 Pensions and locum GPs
18 General Practitioners Committee (GPC) guidance on locum agreements
19 The national bowel cancer awareness campaign starts in January 2012
20 Recent updates and guidance from the Department of Health (DH) and other organisations
21 The Cameron Fund – the GPs’ own charity
22 And finally...
1 myhealthlondon – tips on managing your reputation online
In response to the recent launch of the myhealthlondon website and growth of online forums
encouraging the public/patients to comment on services, Londonwide LMCs has introduced new
guidance to help practices manage their reputation online.
Whilst the media reaction to the launch of the myhealthlondon website has been mixed, the message on
behalf of London’s practices in the medical press and national media has been clear and well made.
Speaking on BBC London news as to why patients shouldn’t make snap judgments about the
information, Londonwide LMC CEO, Dr Michelle Drage said: ‚I think it is really important that people
don’t regard this site as a ‘trip advisor’ for their GP because health is much more important than that‛.
Londonwide LMCs is the brand name of Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited. Registered and office address: Tavistock House North,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HX. T. 020 7387 2034/7418 F. 020 7383 7442 W. www.lmc.org.uk. Registered in England No. 6391298.
Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
Back to index.
2 NHS 111 update from NHS London
Hillingdon and Inner North West London (Westminster; Kensington & Chelsea; and Hammersmith and
Fulham) have now begun their procurement process to appoint providers for their NHS 111 pilots, with
the intention of starting the pilot contracts early in 2012.
Organisations are invited to submit a bid to pilot the NHS 111 service for Hillingdon and/or INWL, which
will both run for an initial 2 year period and will be subject to a full tender for the service taking place after
year 1 of the service. Further details can be found on Supply2Health.
In addition to Hillingdon and Inner North West London, further pilots will be rolling-out throughout 2012
leading up to full national coverage of NHS 111 by April 2013.
If you would like to contact NHS London with any questions please email [email protected] or visit the
NHS 111 page of the NHS Choices website.
Back to index.
3 Changes to the RCN indemnity scheme from January 2012 – important update for all practices and
their nurses
As we informed you in our November newsletter, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is changing its
indemnity scheme from 1 January 2012. This will mean that nurses who are employed in a practice are
no longer covered by the RCN scheme in relation to any work undertaken in the practice.
Please note that from 1 January 2012 this type of indemnity will have to be provided as part of any
vicarious cover under GPs own Professional Indemnity Insurance.
The change to the scheme will not affect self employed, bank or locum nurses who will still be protected
by the RCN scheme.
We recommend that practice managers check their employers’ Professional Indemnity Insurance policy
to make sure that their nurses are covered.
The RCN has produced a letter to its members about the change and a list of frequently asked questions
is available on the RCN website.
Back to index.
4 Guidance on the differences between a LES and Non-LES incentive schemes
LES NON-LES INCENTIVE
SCHEME
Is there a recognised
contractual vehicle for
paying practices?
Yes No
Can the money can be
withdrawn without
notice?
No
Common practice is to
insert a period of notice of
withdrawal into any LES
Unclear
Certainly the LMC can attempt
to negotiate a period of notice
and insert this into the
Londonwide LMCs is the brand name of Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited. Registered and office address: Tavistock House North,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HX. T. 020 7387 2034/7418 F. 020 7383 7442 W. www.lmc.org.uk. Registered in England No. 6391298.
Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
agreed by the LMC incentive scheme.
Could the money be
clawed back following
an adverse PCT
financial audit?
No Yes – there is no protection
Can incentivised
income be counted
towards my pension?
Yes Probably not
This is private income outwith
the SFE and the contract
(albeit ‘NHS money’) and it
may not be recognised as NHS
earnings by the Inland
Revenue or by the Pensions
Agency
Can incentivised
income affect my
notional rent?
No Yes
If this additional extra-
contractual income increases
your annual income by over
10% this will result in
reduction of notional rent
payments
Is my practice and am I
personally safe from
possible criticism or
medico-legal challenge
for accepting payments
Probably yes.
As long as PCT’s ethical
committee has approved
the LES, it appears ethical
to GPs and GPs have had a
chance to influence the
design of the LES.
Less certain.
Some incentive schemes may
be or appear to be ethically
unsound and attract adverse
media interest, placing
individual doctors and their
practices as well as the
profession as a whole, at risk
of public opprobrium.
Incentive schemes which give
rise to a perception (however
misinformed) that doctors are
accepting money for reducing
services to patients (e.g.
reducing access to secondary
care, or to more expensive
drugs with safer profiles etc.)
place colleagues at risk of
criticism.
The design of the incentive
scheme is crucial in preventing
this.
Does the wider
profession approve of
incentive schemes?
Yes No
Motion 41* LMC Conference
2011 passed in all its parts
Back to index.
5 Alcohol Treatment update
Dr Rob Hughes and Dr Dermot Kenny met with representatives of the Drug, Alcohol and Mental Health
Commissioning Team. The meeting was convened after the LMC expressed their unhappiness at the
Londonwide LMCs is the brand name of Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited. Registered and office address: Tavistock House North,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HX. T. 020 7387 2034/7418 F. 020 7383 7442 W. www.lmc.org.uk. Registered in England No. 6391298.
Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
tone of their recent communication stating that they were only providing services to dependent alcohol
consumers with the expectation that those consuming hazardous or harmful amounts of alcohol would be
managed by GP's. The rationale for this statement was that they are only funded to manage dependent
drinkers. There was an acknowledgement that the communication was too terse and offered nothing in
the way of advice for those considered not to be dependent. This will be rectified and more
comprehensive advice will be coming out to all practice. We encourage you to read this.
Back to index.
6 GP commissioning – latest news
1. Report of the Londonwide GP Commissioning Council (LGPCC) meeting on 8 November
2011
The November LGPCC meeting focused on supporting CCG preparation for 2012/2013:
Effective commissioning: Dr Andy Mitchell, Medical Director, NHS London, updated the
Council on the work NHS London wished to deliver in collaboration with CCGs and confirmed
that POLCE (procedures of limited clinical effectiveness) was going to be replaced by
‘exemplar pathways’; he will be sending the LGPCC a paper on principles for CCG views.
Cancer services: Ms Rachel Tyndall, Implementation Lead, Cancer Commissioning Network
and Professor David Fish, Managing Director of UCL Partners and part of ‘London Cancer’,
presented on proposals for integrated cancer networks in London. Members stressed the
need for local flexibility and for improved CCG and General Practice engagement.
NHS 111: Ms Eileen Sutton, Deputy Director of Urgent Care, NHS London, gave an update
and answered questions. London will be running 7 pilots in the next 2 years. The meeting
was divided over the potential impact of 111 on A&E and local OOH providers; CCGs will use
evaluations between now and 2013 to decide how to take this forward.
Specialised commissioning: Dr Marilena Korkodilos, Director of Public Health, London
Specialised Commissioning Group (SCG) outlined that from April 2013 the London outpost of
the NHS Commissioning Board will be managing the specialised services contracts for the
whole of England with all London providers. The London SCG will be holding workshops for
CCG leads to explore working with other partners including local authorities. Questions, views
and suggestions for the workshops can be sent to [email protected].
London Commissioning intentions 2012/2013: Mr Andrew Kenworthy, Chief Executive,
NHS South East London Cluster, gave a helpful presentation on how CCGs can use local and
London commissioning intentions to set priorities and exert influence on secondary care and
other providers. Mr Greg Cairns, commissioning lead for Londonwide LMCs, is gathering CCG
priorities to feed into NHS London.
2. Future Development of Londonwide GP Commissioning Council
Representative from the Londonwide GP Commissioning Council and the London Clinical Senate
met on 17 November to discuss future ways of working, roles and functions of the two groups.
Although guidance on the form and function of Clinical Senates is not yet available, existing and
developing London arrangements will ensure that there is effective dialogue and positive links
between the Senate and Council. Members of the Council will be attending a workshop in
Londonwide LMCs is the brand name of Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited. Registered and office address: Tavistock House North,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HX. T. 020 7387 2034/7418 F. 020 7383 7442 W. www.lmc.org.uk. Registered in England No. 6391298.
Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
January 2012 to discuss future priorities, functions and arrangements for the Council to ensure
that there is clear CCG ownership and commitment to the future operation of the Council.
3. Guidance and briefings:
DH guidance: The Department of Health's response to the Cooperation and Competition
Panel's report on patient choice
NHS London Primary Care Improvement Team: Rapid Review of Out-of-Hospital Care
Pathways report
Case studies in admission avoidance and diabetes
Essex: This is not formal DH guidance, but is on the DH website as a helpful model
NHS Confederation support for clinical commissioning groups: This briefing provides an
overview of NHS Confederation's functions and role for clinical commissioning groups. CCGs
can joint their mailing list by emailing [email protected]
What makes a top (acute) hospital?: From CHKS/Capita Ltd
Back to index.
7 Lighting the path – supplement 2 released
The latest issue in our Lighting the Path series of guidance for GPs on GP-led commissioning was sent to
practices last week.
Lighting the Path supplement 2 covers conflicts of interest, engagement with GPs and an update on
selections and elections.
The guidance will assist you in dealing with conflicts of interest whether real or perceived. Please do not
hesitate to contact Greg Cairns, Director of Primary Care Strategy in the first instance if you require any
further information (tel: 020 7387 2034 ext 248; email [email protected]).
Back to index.
8 Let Londonwide LEAD help you train your staff
The annual programme of training for GPs and their practice teams from Londonwide LEAD (Learning
Education and Development) continues to be very popular.
We have added an essential new event to the LEAD annual programme for practices. Practical Guide to
Risk Management is an essential workshop run by the Medical Protection Society. The aim of this
workshop is to assist primary healthcare professionals in connecting principles of risk management with
practice, and answer basic questions about clinical governance and risk management. It will take place on
Tuesday 24 January 2012 from 12.45–4.45pm at Woburn House Conference Centre Ltd, 20 Tavistock
Square London WC1H 9HQ. To reserve your place please complete the booking form and send it or email
it to Karen Cooper ([email protected]) at Londonwide LMCs, Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square,
London WC1H 9HX.
We still have spaces available on our next workshop for medical records in primary care: the
importance of good record keeping. This event, run by the Medical Protection Society, will enable
Londonwide LMCs is the brand name of Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited. Registered and office address: Tavistock House North,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HX. T. 020 7387 2034/7418 F. 020 7383 7442 W. www.lmc.org.uk. Registered in England No. 6391298.
Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
understanding of the qualities required for effective record keeping. The next workshop is taking place on
Tuesday 21 February 2012 1.00pm – 4.30pm at the Medical Protection Society offices, 7th Floor, London
W1G 0PS. To reserve your place please email Karen Cooper ([email protected]).
We continue to run our rolling programme of workshops for practice managers. The next practice
manager workshop focuses on employment law hot topics. The workshop will pay particular attention
to changing terms and conditions of employment, specifically retirement; maternity, paternity regulations
and bullying and harassment. It will take place on Thursday 23 February 2012 from 1.00pm – 5.00pm at
the General Chiropractic Council, 44 Wicklow Street, London WC1X 9HL. To reserve your place please
email Karen Cooper ([email protected]).
Our rolling programme of workshops for general practice nurses is also continuing. These workshops are
led by Professor Sue Cross, Practice Nurse Adviser to Londonwide LMCs. The next general practice
nurse workshop focuses on family planning and contraception. It will take place on Tuesday 20 March
2012 from 1.00pm – 5.00pm at the Royal College of Nursing, 20 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0RN.
To reserve your place please email Marie Vassallo ([email protected]).
We will be releasing our Londonwide LEAD annual programme of training for April 2012 – March 2013
early next year. Please keep a check on your inbox and our website for further information on existing
LEAD events in 2011-12.
We always welcome your feedback on events, particularly the training needs of your practice and practice
staff for future events. Please contact Helen Musson ([email protected]) with your comments and
ideas.
Back to index.
9 Challenge Gary to save your practice money!
The Buying Group is so confident that they can save you money that Gary Burns, the group’s
procurement consultant, offers practices a free cost analysis to demonstrate the huge savings they could
be making. All you have to do is send him an email detailing which areas you want him to analyse (eg,
office supplies, medical consumables, utilities etc) and he will work out how much you could save by
switching suppliers. Gary recently identified savings for a practice of over £4,000. He was able to spot
savings in spend on office stationery (18% reduction), medical consumables (15%), equipment calibration
(43%), electricity (43%) and gas (21%).
If you want to find out how much your practice could save then email [email protected] or visit
the Buying Group's website.
The Buying Group Federation’s last Buying Group News of the year is now available.
If you have any queries regarding the Londonwide Buying Group please visit the LMC Buying Groups
Federation website or contact the LMC Buying Groups Federation team directly at
[email protected] or by telephone on 0115 9555440.
Back to index.
10 Londonwide LMCs Ltd and Londonwide Enterprise Ltd annual general meeting (AGM)
Our AGM took place on Wednesday 9 November 2011 at BMA House, Tavistock Square, London.
Londonwide LMCs is the brand name of Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited. Registered and office address: Tavistock House North,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HX. T. 020 7387 2034/7418 F. 020 7383 7442 W. www.lmc.org.uk. Registered in England No. 6391298.
Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
The formal business was presented by Dr Stewart Kay, Chair of the Board of Directors and included the
presentation of the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2011. The formal business
was followed by a presentation on London issues by Dr Michelle Drage, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
Londonwide LMCs.
Along with the accounts for the year ending 31 March 2011, the annual report gives a view for the future
from Dr Michelle Drage and information on our highlights for the year. Our sector chairs give an overview
of the successes and challenges they have faced throughout the year and we profile some of the work
we have undertaken to secure the future of general practice in London.
Back to index.
11 Londonwide LMCs in the news – don’t miss Dr Michelle Drage’s advice on how practices can
prepare for the future
Last month Londonwide LMCs’ spokespeople provided comment on a range of hot topics including 111
pilots, pan-London list maintenance agreements and low clinical priority policies. The articles appeared in
medical magazines; Pulse and GP, through to national newspapers including the Telegraph and the
Evening Standard.
Dr Michelle Drage, CEO of Londonwide LMCs also published in-depth and timely advice to practices to
prepare for the future in Pulse magazine.
To read more on these hot topic issues please visit the press cuttings section on our website.
Back to index.
12 New Director of Resources at Londonwide LMCs
We are pleased to welcome Paul Tomlinson as our new Director of Resources at Londonwide LMCs and
Londonwide Enterprise Ltd (LEL).
Paul will be responsible for leading and ensuring the effective delivery of our corporate functions including
finance, human resources, corporate governance and administration. Paul is initially on secondment from
the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement.
Back to index.
13 Scam alert – CQC registration and the Health Care Research Association (HCRA)
We are still receiving feedback from some practices that a company called HCRA (Health Care Research
Association) are in contact to ‘verify and confirm delivery details for an order’ for ‘Compliance for the NHS
Standards 2012 for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rules and regulations’, costing £299+VAT.
Apparently the practice managers’ names are being used and they are told that someone from the
practice had placed the order by phone.
The CQC guidance for general practice has not yet been finalised.
Please do not make any payment and report any contact by this company to your local Trading
Standards office in the first instance.
Back to index.
Londonwide LMCs is the brand name of Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited. Registered and office address: Tavistock House North,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HX. T. 020 7387 2034/7418 F. 020 7383 7442 W. www.lmc.org.uk. Registered in England No. 6391298.
Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
14 Safeguarding your premises and income
Londonwide LMCs would like to encourage practices to safeguard their premises and income.
If you own your premises:
Ensure you receive three yearly rent reviews
Be prepared to challenge the District Valuer’s valuation
If you are in PCT-owned or PCT sub-leased premises, check your tenancy or lease agreement with
regards to service and maintenance charges and space utilisation and if you do not have a clear
written agreement:
o Keep a clear and documented audit trail of itemised payments made to the PCT to establish a
‘tenancy at will’ arrangement
o Measure and define the amount of space for which you are being charged and obtain the
PCT’s written confirmation of this
Remember the LMC can provide advice and support in these discussions.
Back to index.
15 Performers list regulations – important reminder for GPs
We are aware that performers list validation exercises are being conducted in some areas across London.
Please note that if you receive a letter from your cluster/sector you must respond to it or face
being removed from the performers list after due notice.
Remember that a GP may not deliver NHS GP services unless he or she is on a performers list.
Doctors who have changed address without informing the PCT and/or are working in another area may
find themselves, therefore, removed from a list and in breach of the regulations.
The National Health Service (Performers Lists) Regulations 2004 clearly state what the requirements for
GPs on a PCT performers list are. These include informing PCTs of any change in circumstances from
change of address to receiving a police caution and participating in the appraisal system provided by the
PCT that hosts the performers list.
Any GPs who have not worked in that PCT’s area within the previous 12 months will risk being removed
from that PCT’s performers list. We strongly recommend that all doctors consider transferring to the
performers list in the area where they do most of their work.
Practices are also reminded that it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that all doctors working in
their practice are on a performers list in England. This includes all locums employed by the practice
including those employed through a locum agency.
GPs must notify the PCT within seven days of any material changes to the declarations and undertakings
that they provided in the original application for the performers list, including personal information.
If you have any queries or require advice, please contact Jill Stubbs in our GP Support team on 020 7387
2034 ext 240 or [email protected].
Londonwide LMCs is the brand name of Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited. Registered and office address: Tavistock House North,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HX. T. 020 7387 2034/7418 F. 020 7383 7442 W. www.lmc.org.uk. Registered in England No. 6391298.
Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
Back to index.
16 New guide to the benefit system for GPs
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has produced a short guide specifically for GPs on the
benefit system. The guide includes information on the main benefits your patients may be eligible for,
details of where GPs can access further guidance and where you can signpost patients for more
information.
Back to index.
17 Pensions and locum GPs
We have been informed that some GPs working for practices on a regular fee based arrangement have
been claiming the employer’s contribution element of their pensionable income from their PCT.
The statutory NHS Pension Scheme Regulations state that fee based GP work in a practice is only
recognised as GP Locum work (in pension terms) if the GP is engaged on a strictly temporary basis. NHS
Pensions has advised that regular fee based work in excess of six months in one practice cannot be
regarded as a pensionable GP Locum post.
If you are employing a fee based GP on a more regular long term basis this would not therefore be
defined as ‘temporary’ under the statutory Regulations. For NHS pension purposes, the GP is afforded
‘type 2 medical practitioner *’ scheme status and would then be treated the same (in pension terms) as a
Salaried GP. This means in effect that the practice then becomes responsible for paying the scheme’s
employer contributions at 14%.
NHS Pensions has recently issued newsletter TN 8/2009 which covers this issue.
* The Pensions Agency defines a Type 2 medical Practitioner as:
A Salaried GP formally employed by a GP Practice
A long-term fee based GP who works for a GP Practice
A Salaried GP formally employed by an Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) Contractor (or a
(Specialist Provider Medical Services (sPMS) Contractor) that is a Scheme Employing Authority
A long-term fee based GP who works for an APMS Contractor (or a sPMS Contractor) that is a
Scheme Employing Authority
A GP who solely works as an employed or self-employed basis, for an Out Of Hours Provider (OOHP)
and that OOHP is registered as a Scheme Employing Authority
Back to index.
18 General Practitioners Committee (GPC) guidance on locum agreements
The GPC has produced guidance for both locum GPs and the practices who engage them. It is aimed at
locum GPs to help them put together written agreements with the practices for which they work, and
should also be of interest to practices who engage locums. It assumes that the arrangements made will
reflect the locum’s status as a self employed GP, and that the agreement will be a contract for services,
rather than a contract of service, which would apply to an employee.
Back to index.
Londonwide LMCs is the brand name of Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited. Registered and office address: Tavistock House North,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HX. T. 020 7387 2034/7418 F. 020 7383 7442 W. www.lmc.org.uk. Registered in England No. 6391298.
Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
19 The national bowel cancer awareness campaign starts in January 2012
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK. It is second only to lung cancer in terms of
cancer deaths. If diagnosed early, five year survival rates are excellent but if diagnosed late the survival
rate is very poor.
Awareness of possible bowel cancer symptoms in the general public is low with less than 20% being
aware of sustained change in bowel habit as a possible cancer symptom. The aim of the Department of
Health (DH) campaign is to raise awareness of possible bowel cancer symptoms and encourage patients
to present more promptly to their GP. It is hoped that this will increase the proportion of patients who are
diagnosed earlier.
The DH ran a successful pilot in East Anglia and the South West earlier this year. The campaign resulted
in significant numbers of patients with appropriate symptoms presenting to their GPs. While the impact
on individual GPs was low at between one and two patients per week, overall there was a significant
increase in the numbers of two week referrals. Although information on the numbers of cancers
diagnosed as a result of the campaign is not yet available, the campaign was judged to be highly
successful.
As a result, the campaign will now be rolled out nationally for nine weeks from 30 January 2012. All
practices should soon receive a campaign resource pack by email and meetings will be arranged to
discuss the campaign and ensure that GPs are prepared for it. An online training pack for receptionists as
well as posters and other resources for GP waiting rooms are being developed in time for the campaign’s
formal launch.
For further information please contact your local cancer network:
SE London Cancer Network : Kate Kavanagh; [email protected]
SW London Cancer Network: Julia Ozdilli : [email protected]
NW London Cancer Network: Sarita Yaganti: [email protected]
NE London Cancer Network: Frances Haste: [email protected]
N London Cancer Network : Julie Lees: [email protected]
Further information is also available on the DH website.
Back to index.
20 Recent updates and guidance from the Department of Health (DH) and other organisations
General Practitioners Committee (GPC) news
Each month the GPC produces a newsletter which provides a summary of the main items that are
discussed at the full committee meeting as well as providing useful updates on a range of subjects
that affect GPs and their practice teams.
The latest newsletter includes information on antipsychotic drugs, Care Quality Commission (CQC)
registration, commissioning, GPs’ contract, NHS reforms, LMCs and new NHS structures and much
more!
Visit our website to download the latest issue.
Londonwide LMCs is the brand name of Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited. Registered and office address: Tavistock House North,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HX. T. 020 7387 2034/7418 F. 020 7383 7442 W. www.lmc.org.uk. Registered in England No. 6391298.
Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
DH GP Bulletin
The latest edition of the DH's GP and practice team bulletin is now available. The GP bulletin is now a
total online production. To ensure that you receive an email notification from the DH when a bulletin
is published, please send your name, practice address and email address to:
Quality and outcomes framework (QOF) quality and productivity accident and emergency
guidance
NHS Employers and the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) have agreed three new Quality and
Productivity (QP) indicators which aim to reduce avoidable Accident and Emergency (A&E)
attendances. These indicators have been agreed for one year from April 2012 to replace the 2011/12
QP indicators on prescribing (QP1, QP2, QP3, QP4 and QP5).
New QOF indicators
NHS Employers and the GPC have also accepted recommendations put forward by NICE (National
Institute of Clinical Excellence) for the inclusion of new clinical indicators in QOF. The new clinical
indicators cover patients who smoke, patients with atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease and
osteoporosis.
Tackling violence and anti-social behaviour in the NHS
NHS Protect, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Crown Prosecution Service
(CPS) have produced a joint working agreement to protect NHS staff against violence and anti-social
behaviour.
NHS staff means any person employed by or engaged to provide services to an NHS body. Many
staff included under this definition will not be directly employed by the NHS but contracted to provide
NHS services such as GPs and their practice teams.
Spotting the signs of dementia
A new campaign to raise awareness of the early signs and symptoms of dementia has been
launched. The campaign encourages more people to seek an early diagnosis of dementia by visiting
their GP.
Improvement in cancer diagnosis times, following NICE guidance
National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) research suggests that bowel, oesophageal and
pancreatic cancers have seen the greatest improvement in the time it takes from when a GP first
sees a patient with symptoms to when the patient is diagnosed with the disease.
GPs go into action for carers
A new guide to help GPs and their teams provide improved support to carers has been published by
the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers.
Supporting Carers: An Action Guide for General Practitioners and Their Teams offers advice on
identifying carers, understanding their needs and involving them in the planning of care. The guide
Londonwide LMCs is the brand name of Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited. Registered and office address: Tavistock House North,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HX. T. 020 7387 2034/7418 F. 020 7383 7442 W. www.lmc.org.uk. Registered in England No. 6391298.
Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
also provides real life case studies and practical tools to help practice teams in their work.
London LARC (Long Acting Reversible Contraception) network newsletter
The London LARC’s Network’s November newsletter can be downloaded from the London Sexual
Health Programme’s website.
Back to index.
21 The Cameron Fund – the GPs’ own charity
The Cameron Fund, named after its founder and first Chairman, Sir James Cameron, is the only medical
benevolent charity which supports solely general practitioners and their dependants. It is the GPs’ own
charity and works closely with Local Medical Committees.
It is the youngest of the national medical charities and, since its creation in 1970, has distributed over
£4.4 million in grants and loans to over 1,200 beneficiaries.
The Cameron Fund exists to support those GPs and their dependants who encounter financial difficulties;
whether through ill-health, disability, death or loss of employment. Support is provided through
contribution to essential living expenses, professional subscriptions and the costs of retraining and
returning to work. Assistance is offered on maximising income, ensuring access to all available state
benefits and negotiating repayments of debts.
Anyone who knows of someone experiencing difficulties, hardship or distress is urged to draw attention
to the Cameron Fund’s existence or alternatively to contact Jane Cope, the Fund’s Services Manager on
020 7388 0796 or [email protected].
You can also write to the Cameron Fund at Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London WC1H
9HR.
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22 And finally...
The following courses may be of interest to GPs and their practice teams:
Commissioning Support London Masters in Healthcare Commissioning (MSc) 2011/12, University of
Birmingham
Practical dermatology for primary care, acne and facial rashes, 7 December 2011, King’s College
London
Practical dermatology for primary care, skin cancer non – melanoma, 12 January 2012, King’s College
London
Psychosexual Medicine in Practice, 22 February 2012, Imperial College London
Practical dermatology for primary care, skin cancer pigmented lesions, 23 February 2012, King’s
College London
Londonwide LMCs is the brand name of Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited. Registered and office address: Tavistock House North,
Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HX. T. 020 7387 2034/7418 F. 020 7383 7442 W. www.lmc.org.uk. Registered in England No. 6391298.
Londonwide Local Medical Committees Limited is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
Practical tips to improve practice in the area of obesity, 20 March 2012, Royal College of General
Practitioners
Practical dermatology for primary care, skin infections, 29 March 2012, King’s College London
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Don’t forget to use the exciting annual programme of training for GPs and their
practice teams from Londonwide LEAD