Avon LMCs Newsletter on 20-08-25

---

The ALMC Newsletter

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

---

– LATEST NEWS –

---

I returned recently from a 2-week holiday on Long Island, where a few days of sea air and sunshine provided a welcome pause. Time away from practice reminded me how easy it is to run on empty without realising it, and how restorative it can be to step back, even briefly. Coming back, I feel more re-charged for what looks set to be a busy autumn.

The last few weeks have brought further developments regarding Physician Associates (PAs) and questions of accountability, supervision, and scope of practice remain live issues. Avon LMC has updated its guidance to reflect this, and we will continue to do so as more information becomes available. In the meantime, we would urge you to seek HR advice before making any changes to the employment of PAs.

Amanda Doyle’s reminder of the forthcoming GP contract changes landed in my inbox yesterday, and it does not make for comfortable reading. One requirement is that all practice websites must carry a link to You and Your General Practice, which mandates that patient requests for appointments — including online submissions — must be responded to within one working day. In addition, practices are required to accept online submissions throughout the entirety of core hours.

I have no doubt that the combination of these two stipulations will overwhelm some practices, driving workload to unsustainable levels and risking staff burnout. No other part of the NHS is subject to such open-ended access, and general practice remains the only provider contractually barred from closing its doors when capacity is exceeded.

The safety of your staff must always come first, and that includes working within sensible workload limits. If this results in urgent care being diverted to emergency departments and planned care waiting lists extending to six weeks, then these will be the inevitable — if unintended — consequences of an unsafe government policy. I will continue to make this point, and I will not stop highlighting the risks to both patients and staff.

“The safety of the people shall be the highest law.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero

Dr Shaba Nabi
Chair: Avon LMC

Avon LMC has updated its guidance to reflect the following:

• Responses from CNSGP and MDU
• FAQs from NHSE

Any further changes will be reflected on our web page dedicated to this topic.

The deadline for submission of motions is 5th September so please send us your ideas for motions. You don’t have to formulate a perfectly crafted motion – just email your frustrations with the England GP contract to info@almc.co.uk and we will do the rest for you.
A few recent ideas to spark the imagination are:

• The 10-Year Plan
• Neighbourhood contracts
• Future of the partnership model
• GP estates
• AI
• On-line access and GP Connect

But remember – if it’s already existing policy (passed at previous conferences) it’s unlikely to be prioritised for debate. You can find the England policy database here.

Question: With AI being increasingly used in practices, what is the LMC view on mass texting patients to opt-opt out of this technology within a consultation?

Answer: Advice from the Data Protection Officer (DPO) is that each patient has to consent to the use of ambient voice technology (AVT) at each consultation. A mass SMS will reach many patients who will not be having an appointment in the next few months or years and won’t remember the content of the message when they eventually contact the surgery for an appointment. Some practices are supplementing this with information on the website, SMS appointment reminders, and electronic call boards.

GP contract changes 2025/26: key requirements from 1 October 2025 can be found here.

The BMA has produced a number of useful documents in the following areas:

Focus on… Core GMS work found here

Focus on the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme found here

Focus on ethical collaborations and GP federations found here

This can be found here.

We have sent Practice Managers a Needs Assessment form for both Clinical and Non-Clinical Courses. If you have not received it, please email ALMCLearningHub@almc.co.uk
 
We aim to ensure that the courses we provide are relevant to BNSSG practices and ensure your teams have the appropriate skills for their roles.

• 2nd September 2025: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00
• 4th November 2025: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00

Avon LMC, IGPM, One Care, and The Training Hub are inviting all general practice management staff in the BNSSG area to a brand-new meeting that marks the launch of a dedicated support and development programme for practice managers. This invitation extends to not only Practice Managers but PCN Managers, Deputy & Assistant Managers, and anyone aspiring to work in practice or PCN management.
 
Date: Tuesday 23rd September 2025
Time: 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Venue: The Bristol, St Swithins Park, Blackhorse Hill, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS10 7TP
 
The attached flyer contains the agenda for the day and a link to book a place.
 
Representatives from each of the organisations will be present, and we look forward to seeing you all there!

• Tuesday 19 Aug General practice bulletin
• Thursday 14 Aug General practice bulletin

Join us for a free, engaging and informative day with opportunity to learn, ask questions and network with a wide range of respiratory interested healthcare professionals across BNSSG.

Date: 16th October 2025
Time: 8:45AM to 16:30PM
Venue: BAWA centre, Southmead road, Bristol, BS34 7RG

The attached flyer contains the links to agenda and sign up.
Please find the attached timetable here.

---

---