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Greenwich lmc September 2008 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 Securing the future of general practice in London – a new conference exclusively for London GPs and practice managers 2 Changes at Londonwide LMCs 3 Scam alert: the physicians and therapists guide Local news 4 Your new LMC 5 Your LMC office contacts General news 6 Interim seniority factor 7 Continuing healthcare assessments 8 Changing medical records of adopted children 9 Reporting knife wounds - interim guidance from the GMC and Department of Health 10 New GP Systems of Choice (GPSoC) website 11 Your chance to talk with your GPC representatives and negotiators 12 Press cuttings section on our website 13 Keep up to date by keeping us updated! 14 Courses from the London Deanery 1 Securing the future of general practice in London – a new conference exclusively for London GPs and practice managers You should have now received information on our new and exclusive conference designed for you and your practice which will take place on 11 November 2008. ‘Securing the Future of General Practice in London’, the first event of its kind, brings together a packed programme of expert speakers from the King’s Fund, NHS Confederation, Social Enterprise Coalition, GPC and BMA in the morning. This is then followed by a choice of practical master classes run by highly respected GPs, corporate lawyers and accountants to help you look at ways to secure your income in the afternoon. We look forward to providing you with the opportunity to hear new ways of securing your future, meeting other colleagues, developing networks and returning to your practices feeling supported and informed – your future and that of your practice could depend upon it. The event will be held at 76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT. The cost for attending is £190 + VAT (£223.25) for NHS GPs and practice teams and £175 + VAT (£205.63) for additional participants. The fee includes lunch, refreshments and a copy of the conference handbook.

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Greenwich lmc September 2008 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 Securing the future of general practice in London – a new conference exclusively for London GPs and

practice managers 2 Changes at Londonwide LMCs 3 Scam alert: the physicians and therapists guide

Local news 4 Your new LMC 5 Your LMC office contacts

General news 6 Interim seniority factor 7 Continuing healthcare assessments 8 Changing medical records of adopted children 9 Reporting knife wounds - interim guidance from the GMC and Department of Health 10 New GP Systems of Choice (GPSoC) website 11 Your chance to talk with your GPC representatives and negotiators 12 Press cuttings section on our website 13 Keep up to date by keeping us updated! 14 Courses from the London Deanery

1 Securing the future of general practice in London – a new conference exclusively for London GPs

and practice managers You should have now received information on our new and exclusive conference designed for you and your practice which will take place on 11 November 2008. ‘Securing the Future of General Practice in London’, the first event of its kind, brings together a packed programme of expert speakers from the King’s Fund, NHS Confederation, Social Enterprise Coalition, GPC and BMA in the morning. This is then followed by a choice of practical master classes run by highly respected GPs, corporate lawyers and accountants to help you look at ways to secure your income in the afternoon. We look forward to providing you with the opportunity to hear new ways of securing your future, meeting other colleagues, developing networks and returning to your practices feeling supported and informed – your future and that of your practice could depend upon it. The event will be held at 76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT. The cost for attending is £190 + VAT (£223.25) for NHS GPs and practice teams and £175 + VAT (£205.63) for additional participants. The fee includes lunch, refreshments and a copy of the conference handbook.

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.

You will need to use the booking form provided in the brochure to register for the event or you can register online. For more information contact Healthcare Events on 020 8541 1399 or email [email protected]. Back to index.

2 Changes at Londonwide LMCs We are pleased to welcome Dr Tony Grewal who has joined our Medical Director/LMC Secretary team. Tony will be covering the areas of Enfield, Hammersmith (local), Haringey, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster. We are sorry to announce that Dr Fay Wilson will be leaving us on 1 October 2008 although Fay will continue to work as a Medical Director on existing projects on a sessional basis for a period of time. Fay has been an invaluable member of the team and she will be sorely missed. Dr Michelle Drage will now take on the role as Medical Director/LMC Secretary for Barnet, Brent, EHH, Harrow and Hillingdon. Dr Tony Stanton will continue to cover the LMCs in South East and South West London. Dr Paddy Glackin will continue to cover Camden and Islington LMC as well as those in the North East London area. For more information visit the ‘what we do’ section on our website. Back to index.

3 Scam alert: the physicians and therapists guide We recently emailed all practice teams with the GPC’s advice regarding the Physicians and Therapists guide. The GPC’s message reads: “We have received a number of letters and emails recently in relation to the NovaAG company, which seems to have been sending communications to UK practices about their publication 'Physicians and Therapists Guide'. We believe there are other similar companies offering the same sort of thing. The NovaAG letter states: 'Please return this form in the enclosed business reply envelope, by doing so even you will be helping to keep the Medical Directory up to date'. In the small print at the bottom of the form, it makes clear that in returning the form you are signing up to pay for what is essentially an advertisement in this publication. Some practices have returned the form without noticing this, and have subsequently been invoiced for the cost (which is several hundred pounds). When practices have tried to get out of this, the company has insisted that they have made a legal commitment and are obliged to pay. Our legal advice is that, unfortunately, there is not much that can be done in this situation. The small print does clearly state the position, and the legal view is that there is a binding contract. The company is based in Switzerland, and therefore both it and the contract is the subject of Swiss law. While our legal advice does not cover the law outside the UK, we believe there is a similar system for debt recovery

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.

there and it seems likely that this company will pursue it. We have advised members that the Swiss embassy, or the Law Society, may be able to offer more specific advice on the systems in place in Switzerland. We are asking LMCs to alert practices to this, so that they can be aware if they receive these letters what exactly is involved. For anyone who has already signed such a form, they must ensure that they cancel the contract formally so that it does not roll over for a further twelve months.” Back to index.

4 Your new LMC LMC elections took place in the summer. Your new LMC is made up of the following members. Please contact them if you have any queries.

• Chandra Chinduluri: tel: 020 8854 3964, email: [email protected]

• Rob Hughes: tel: 020 8319 5400, email: [email protected]

• Dermot Kenny: tel: 020 8850 5141, email: [email protected]

• Jawahar Lal: tel: 020 8850 2458, email: [email protected]

• Cornelia McCarthy: tel: 020 8856 5678, email: [email protected]

• Mary-Clare Parker: tel: 020 8312 6095, email: [email protected]

• Helen Phillips: tel: 020 8858 0631, email: [email protected]

• Subathira Ratnarajan: tel: 020 8858 8513, email: [email protected]

• Bharati Shah: tel: 020 8855 5540, email: [email protected]

• Hany Wahba: tel: 020 8854 6262, email: [email protected]

Back to index.

5 Your LMC office contacts • Main office telephone number: 020 7387 2034 • Main office fax number: 020 7383 7442 • LMC website: www.lmc.org.uk • Your LMC team

o LMC Secretary/Medical Director – Dr Tony Stanton: contact via [email protected] / [email protected]

o Director of Primary Care Strategy – Julie Freeman: [email protected] Together responsible for all LMC issues and matters requiring negotiation with PCTs and the London Strategic Health Authority.

o Committee Liaison Executive – Jenny Foley ([email protected]) or Felicity Lawlor ([email protected]) for queries relating to LMC and Standing Joint Liaison Committee meetings.

o Corporate Team Administrator – Marie Vassallo: [email protected] for all queries relating to office administration including LMC members’ honoraria and changes to the database regarding GPs and practice contact details.

• General Londonwide LMCs’ contacts

o Joint Chief Executives – Dr Michelle Drage ([email protected]) and Dr Tony Stanton ([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.

o GP Support Services – Jean Hassell, Executive Director of GP Support Services ([email protected]) and Nora Breen, Manager, GP Support Services ([email protected]) for queries relating to all types of GP contracts, performance issues, patient complaints, partnership issues, employment issues and NHS changes affecting your practice.

o Corporate Affairs – Lee Prince, Executive Director of Corporate Affairs ([email protected]) for queries relating to organisational matters, LMC elections and levies.

o Communications Team – Sue Broome, Director of Communications ([email protected]), Jonathan Ashby, Communications Executive ([email protected]) and Hannah Millard, Public Relations Executive ([email protected]) for media coverage and advice, website and newsletter production.

Back to index.

6 Interim seniority factor The GPC, NHS Employers and the Department of Health have agreed that the interim seniority figure for England and Wales 2008/09 is £105,524. This will be used by NHS payment agencies to make seniority payments from September 2008. Back to index.

7 Continuing healthcare assessments GPs are being asked to complete continuing healthcare assessments to determine whether a patient is eligible for continuing care. Section 15 (4) a and b of the GMS contract specifically identifies services or actions which a GP is required to provide. The GPC’s legal advisors believe that continuing health care assessments are not directly identifiable under the Essential Services in paragraph 15 of the GMS regulations. Back to index.

8 Changing medical records of adopted children Under adoption legislation, an adopted child is given a new NHS number, and all previous medical information relating to that child is put into a newly created health record. Any information relating to the identity or whereabouts of the birth parents should not be included in the new record. The change of name, NHS number and transfer of previous health information into a new health record should take place for both GP records and hospital records. There should not therefore be any difficulty in obtaining information about the child's previous treatment in secondary care. Whilst changing or omitting information from medical records would usually be contrary to ethical and professional guidance, this is not the case for the records of adopted children as there is a legal requirement that it takes place. The Department of Health is currently looking into the issue of health records for adopted children in connection with the National Care Records Service (NCRS). Back to index.

9 Reporting knife wounds - interim guidance from the GMC and Department of Health Joint interim guidance for doctors on reporting knife wounds has now been published by the GMC and the Department of Health (England).

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.

This document expands on the principles in the guidance ‘Confidentiality: protecting and providing information’ and supplements the guidance on reporting gunshot wounds. Further guidance will be available soon. Back to index.

10 New GP Systems of Choice (GPSoC) website The new GPSoC website has now been launched. The original purpose of the website was to introduce GPSoC and encourage sign up to the scheme. The GPSoC programme is now becoming part of business as usual delivery and the website has been updated to provide clear guidance about how GPs, PCTs and SHAs can continue to get the best out of the GPSoC arrangements. The key sections of the website are:

• Overview of GPSoC and FAQs – with a new section with FAQs about the PCT-Practice Agreements.

• News and downloads – a consolidated source of all documents that can be downloaded from the website and a news archive containing previous news items.

• Implementing the GPSoC Agreements – this provides an overview of the various GPSoC agreements and the steps required to implement each agreement.

• GPSoC standards and specifications – a summary of the standards and specifications that have been introduced as part of GPSoC.

• Contacts & Register for Updates – who to contact and how to register to be notified of updates to the GPSoC website.

• GPSoC supplier systems and roadmaps – provides details of the current status of GPSoC systems, the timetable for release of new system functionality. The section on “Encouraging Innovation” includes a section about requesting new requirements for inclusion in GPSoC suppliers’ scope.

• GPSoC prices, funding and services – this includes all supplier pricing and guidance about who pays for what.

• Supplier performance and service management – a new section which will be developed as performance and service management matures.

• System change and choice – guidance for GPs and PCTs about what to do if the practice is considering a change of system.

• GP, PCT and SHA involvement in GPSoC – sets out the details stakeholder engagement with GPSoC.

Back to index.

11 Your chance to talk with your GPC representatives and negotiators There will be a meeting on Thursday 2 October 2008 for all GPs to attend to hear the latest news on the annual contract negotiations and to seek advice from GPC representatives and negotiators concerning London. Dr Laurence Buckman, Chair of the GPC, will start the event with a presentation followed by a questions and answers session.

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 meeting will take place from 2.00pm in the Black Suite, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP. If you would like to attend please contact Jonathan Ashby at the LMC on 020 7387 2034 ext 228 or [email protected]. The closing date for registration is Thursday 25 September 2008. Back to index.

12 Press cuttings section on our website Remember to visit the press cuttings section on our website to see what’s happening in your locality. Back to index.

13 Keep up to date by keeping us updated! In this rapidly changing world it is important that we have your correct details on file. If a new colleague has joined the practice, if a telephone number or email address has changed – we need to know! By keeping us informed of changes we will be able to keep you up to date with developments in primary care. We can also now send emails to both your home and work address if you so wish. If you would like to receive emails to both your home and work address, or you have not notified us of any changes to practice or personal details, then please contact Marie Vassallo, Corporate Team Administrator, on 020 7387 2034 ext 257 or [email protected]. Back to index.

14 Courses from the London Deanery • Want to teach in primary care? – open evening, 27 November 2008

Recruitment has started for the “Teaching the Teachers” courses commencing in April and September 2009. This open evening will offer more detailed information on the course, its content and structure. It is an opportunity to meet some of the course team and ask any questions that you may have. The course uses small and large group work as a vehicle for learning. During this evening you will be able to work in small groups and see whether this method of learning suits you. The course leaders will observe the small group work and in conjunction with your written application assess your suitability for the course. If you would like to attend please contact Christine Madekwe on 020 7866 3203 or [email protected].

• Telephone consultations course for GPs and practice nurses The half day course is led by Dr David Lloyd, trainer and Medical Director of the Harmoni GP Co-operative and focuses on improving telephone skills in general practice. The course will be held on 18 September 2008, 27 November 2008, 12 February 2009 and 14 May 2009 and will take place at the London Deanery, Stewart House, 32 Russell Square, London WC1B 5DN. The cost is £60 (non-refundable). To book a place, download the booking form from the London Deanery website and return it to Christine Madekwe, Courses Administrator London Deanery, Stewart House, 32 Russell Square, London WC1B 5DN.

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.