Avon LMCs Newsletter on 09-04-25

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The ALMC Newsletter

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

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– LATEST NEWS –

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I hope, like me, you are enjoying the wonderful spring weather this week. It was a great choice to substitute my gym session for an early morning walk and appreciate the stunning campanula amongst the backdrop of birdsong. I feel privileged to have this beauty on my doorstep, which is why my practice is so passionate about Green Social Prescribing and recommend it to our inner city patients.

It was great to see so many of you at our LMC Members’ event last week, especially after a long day at work. The engagement was truly remarkable, and it has given us a clear steer for the strategic direction of interface collaboration. Once we have met with our ICB colleagues, we will be in a position to share these next steps.

Although I have multiple roles, nothing can beat the human connection of our clinical role. I am reminded of this on a daily basis, especially when we are seeing patients at their most vulnerable. There is immense power in just holding a space for this vulnerability, which transcends most medical treatments, and is the essence of general practice.

“Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always.” – Hippocrates

Shaba Nabi
Chair Avon LMC

In last week’s newsletter, we shared the following wording about the A&G DES:

• GP Led (AHP referrals must be reviewed by GP)

Avon LMC would like to apologise for the error in using the term “AHP” which only refers to certain professional roles. The more accurate narrative for the A&G DES is that referrals made by anyone who is not a qualified GP must be reviewed and approved by a GP before they are sent.
We would also like to remind you of the F12 protocol published by One Care to capture the codes associated with this activity.

Please find the letter here.

Question: Our practice is receiving Debt and Mental Health Evidence Forms from patients for completion. The form states in small print it has been agreed with the BMA. Are GPs expected to complete this form and make judgments on the patient’s mental health and accept that this is more unfunded work?

Answer: A new cross sector agreement has been introduced, and GPs can no longer charge for Debt and Mental Health Evidence Forms (DMHEF). The form is now shorter and can be completed by a wide range of healthcare professionals. The only contractual obligation is to confirm any mental health diagnoses on the front page. More information can be found on the BMA website.

You Although professional referrals can now be made using the St Peters Hospice website, Avon LMC would like to remind practices that they are still able to email a referral using the generic referral form.

As you may be aware, the sexual health service has been re-procured and is now called Yuno. Patients can be signposted to the website to access the digital front door, which will lead them to a number of services including STI testing/treatment and emergency contraception.

Some specialist clinics within the service may no longer be available and Avon LMC is keen to hear practice feedback on the impact of these changes on general practice. Please feel free to contact us on info@almc.co.uk

The Local Authority has liaised with Avon LMC regarding the sexual health DSA and confirmed they are funding One Care independently to extract the required data. This process reduces the administrative burden on practices to extract the data themselves and allows for funding to be provided based on activity instead of practice submission.

Please note the dates for the GP contract webinars within this update.
This can be found here.

• 1st July 2025: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00

• Tuesday 8 April  General practice bulletin
• Thursday 3 April General practice bulletin

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– LATEST TRAINING AND EVENTS –

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A reminder that registration is still open for our virtual staff engagement workshops. We are especially keen to encourage attendance from receptionists, administrators, team leaders and other support roles from across all of our PCNs, to help shape the work of the General Practice Non-Clinical Development Project.
 
Please see the attached flyer for more details, including how to book. For further information, please contact Louise Carthy, Project Lead, at L.Carthy@nhs.net. 

• BCYP EduForum: Milk related problems in children
  22^nd April from 13.00-13.30
  Signup here

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

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