Operations Manager, Nic Wright, and Dr Bob Hodges to present an overview of the work, including current issues, impacting on the Gloucestershire Local Medial Committee (LMC).
Minutes:
7.1 At the invitation of Operations Manager, Nicola Wright, members received a presentation on behalf of the Gloucestershire Local Medical Committee (LMC). Local GP, Dr Bob Hodges, attended the meeting to support the presentation and to respond to questions on the work of the committee based in Gloucestershire.
7.2 Established circa 1911, a Local Medical Committee is ‘a democratic body elected by and comprising local GPs. Under Section 97 of the NHS Act 2006, each committee is designated as the local representative committee for all medical practitioners who, under a general medical services contract, provide primary medical services in the area for which that committee is formed.
7.3 The committee is an independent body, representing the interests of all General Practitioners. Free from political constraint, the committee provides a source of advice and support for GPs in matters affecting their professional lives and activities. In consultation with medical defence organisations, the British Medical Association, and solicitors, the LMC is able to offer advice to GP’s should they need to seek help on any professional matter.
7.4 The committee also acts as the representative body for the canvassing of views from local GPs prior to consideration by the NHS Integrated Care Board, NHS England and other bodies.
7.5 As a professional body, the committee is responsible for ensuring the quality of GP work and the upholding of standards of professional practice. The LMC shares responsibility with NHS England and with regulatory and educational bodies to ensure local GPs conduct themselves appropriately, remain competent, are fit to practice, and do not expose patients to unnecessary risk.
7.6 The LMC strives to ensure local GPs, whose performance or conduct may have fallen below the required standards, are treated fairly, and are given the opportunity to correct any deficiencies.
7.7 Elected representatives in Gloucestershire comprise: 4 Gloucester GPs;
2 Forest of Dean GPs; 2 Cotswold GPs; 4 GPs for Stroud and Berkeley Vale;
1 Tewkesbury GP; 4 Cheltenham GPs; 2 GPs to represent freelance/locum GPs and several co-opted members, representing practice managers and GP trainees. Representatives are elected every four years. The LMC office is managed by a full time Operations Manager, with administrative support.
7.8 As an independent organisation, the LMC is funded by statutory and voluntary levy by all Gloucestershire GP Practices, (currently 46 pence per patient), and from by national levy, (currently 4 pence per patient). The national levy contributes to the GP Defence Fund (GPDF) to provide support to the British Medical Association and to aid any local GP Practices undergoing legal cases.
7.9 HOSC members welcomed the presentation, including confirmation of the encouraging working relationship between the LMC and the Gloucestershire ICB. Noting data relating to GP access in Gloucestershire, members were able to consider new information on the challenges to local GPs and the impact of the growing population in Gloucestershire. Members also noted the work in place to attract new GPs to the county. Information on ring fenced funding prioritised to support NHS recruitment to be presented to the committee at a future meeting. Action by - NHS Gloucestershire
7.10 Helen Goodey, Director of Primary Care and Place for NHS Gloucestershire, reaffirmed the NHS ICB’s support to the LMC and advised of ongoing work to address the demands on the health and care system created by the increasing population growth. Responding to a member’s concerns about GP provision in the Coopers Edge area of Brockworth, NHS Gloucestershire agreed to make enquiries and report back to Cllr Susan Willams. Action by - NHS Gloucestershire
7.11 Another member highlighted the need for additional support for patients with hearing issues who use the triage/telephonic systems and requested an update to form part of the ICB update to the committee. Action by - NHS Gloucestershire
7.12 Noting concerns about the impact of new housing development and housing provision in the county, it was agreed this was a challenging time for the county but that the situation was not unique to Gloucestershire.
7.13 HOSC requested regular updates from the LMC and this was agreed. One member enquired how the public could receive updates from the LMC and on the arrangements for access to General Practice. It was proposed that a communications strategy be considered for development between the LMC and the NHS ICB to incorporate messages from which the public could gain a better perception and understanding of what services to use. Action by - NHS Gloucestershire
7.14 With the agreement of the LMC, members were encouraged to seek more information on the work of the committee from Operations Manager, Nic Wright at 10 Westgate House, The Island, Westgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2RU Email: nicwright@gloslmc.co.uk Tel: 01452 310706 or by visiting www.gloslmc.co.uk