Avon LMCs Newsletter on 30-10-24


Welcome to our weekly newsletter, sharing the latest news and topics of interest for practices.



I We sometimes have a break from the Newsletter over half terms, especially when the Chair is having well earned few days detoxing away from the emails, MS Teams, WhatsApps etc. However, this period is too important to not keep up our momentum about the Collection Action. Our go-live date, 4th November, is fast approaching and our resources are available on our website <<https://avonlmc.co.uk/collective-action-2/>>.

Reflecting on transfer of work to GP – which is sometimes clinically-not-unreasonable yet nevertheless still-unfunded-and-unresourced, and at other times just-unreasonable – I find myself often observing to patients that ‘quite a lot of people make promises on my behalf that I cannot keep’. Additionally, we then have to take the time explaining why we can’t perform the task that was sold as simple, but actually isn’t possible. It can be very draining, and takes up clinical time that could be spent doing our ever-increasing-and-inadequately-funded contracted work. Collective action is aiming to reset this unsustainable situation. 

If you have any queries, do get in touch at info@almc.co.uk or reach out to your area board members: Lee for Bristol, Nafeesa for South Glos or myself for North Somerset.

Shaba normally ends with a quote from a wise, legendary person. So here is this week’s quote:

  ‘Quite a lot of people make promises on my behalf that I cannot keep’
     Mike Jenkins c2024

Mike Jenkins
GP and North Somerset Board member, 
Avon LMC

The next LMC virtual drop-in session will be on Tuesday 12th November. Due to IT mishaps which affected attendance at the previous drop-in meeting, we will ask you, via a future bulletin, to sign up for the drop-in session using a form. The 12th November session will be the first session after the go-live on Collective Action so it promises to be an interesting forum.

A request for a review of the PCN Capacity, Access and Improvement Plan (CAIP) was sent to PCN Managers approximately two weeks ago for completion by 8th November 2024. Further notification was provided to PCN CD’s this week. PCN’s have been receiving 70% of the funding monthly to date and this review is attached to the remaining 30% payment.

CAIP payment is a PCN payment however the review request contains notification of further funding available to individual practices. This is in the form of Transformational and Transitional funding, that was not expected this year. As this is practice-level funding it is suggested that practices review the request and apply for the funding, should they wish.

Shortly we will be sending out the expression of interest form to Practice Managers across BNSSG for an opportunity to join Avon LMC’s Committee.

We are looking for representatives for each area and, once all expressions of interest have been received, we will be sending out an opportunity for areas to vote for the Practice Manager they would like to represent them. Any questions please contact mandy@almc.co.uk

Practice Index and the IGPM are putting on a dedicated stream of management sessions at the ExCel in London on 19th and 20th November 2024 and they’d love for you to join them.

A range of expert speakers will give you an insight into some of the most important topics affecting teams working in general practice today.

The event, which takes place at Guidelines Live is FREE for Practice Managers to attend. Email info@practiceindex.co.uk for more information.

  • 12th November 2024: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00
  • 22nd November 2024: England LMC Conference – London, all day
  • 14th January 2025: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00
  • 11th March 2025: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00

Please find the message from Liz Lee, Leader of Bristol GP Balint Group.

GP Balint Group, which has been running continuously for over 30 years is looking for new members.

The group has up to 10 members and is led by two Balint Leaders, a GP and a Group Analyst. A member of the group presents a case that is troubling or upsetting them in some way. The group then thinks about how both the patient and the doctor may be feeling and in the safe and confidential space of the group explore why this is difficult.  

We meet on the third Tuesday of each month between 7.30 and 9pm at 13 Sydenham Rd, Cotham, Bristol.

For more information, please do contact Liz Lee at drlizlee@gmail.com.

Please click here for full letter.

  • 12th November 2024: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00
  • 22nd November 2024: England LMC Conference – London, all day
  • 14th January 2025: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00
  • 11th March 2025: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00


  • Women’s Health Event: Contraception Councelling
    Thursday, 7th November from 13.00-14.00
    Sign-up Form
  • From Insomnia to Apnea: A Primary Care Guide to Sleep
    Wednesday, 13th November from 13.00-14.40
    Sign-up Form
  • BCYP EduForum: UTIs and other Paediatric Nephrology
    Tuesday,19th November from 13.00-13.30
    Sign-up Form
  • Menopause Learning Event for Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
    Thursday, 21st November from 13.00-14.00
    Sign-up Form
  • BNSSG Cancer Lead GP Forum
    Thursday, 21st November from 12.45-14.00
    Sign-up Form
  • Dermoscopy Training – Part 3
    Thursday, 21st November from 13.00-17.00
    Sign-up Form
  • Breast Awareness session for Primary Care Clinicians
    Tuesday, 26th November from 13.00-14.00
    Sign-up Form
  • Prosthetic Joint Infection – IFORM Study
    Wednesday, 27th November from 12.30-13.00
    Sign-up Form
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship in BNSSG
    Wednesday, 27th November from 13.00-14.00
    Sign-up Form
  • General Practice & Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribers Forum
    Thursday, 18th November from 13.00-13.30
    Sign-up Form

Please see here for full event details.
For further information please contact Bnssg.training.hub@nhs.net


Click here to see all the latest vacancies in the BNSSG area.

Have you got something you’d like to share? To let us know your news and add to the weekly newsletter please email
marcus@almc.co.uk