Avon LMCs Newsletter on 03-09-25 (Amendment on Upcoming Training Schedule)

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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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September has arrived, bringing a change in the weather and the return of children to school. Personally, I’ve always found the long summer break about two weeks too lengthy; I’d much prefer shorter, more frequent holidays spread across the year.

With the new term comes a return to business as usual, and system meetings are once again filling the diary. Yesterday we held our LMC virtual drop-in session. Attendance was lower than usual—understandably, given the summer holidays—but we still had some valuable discussions. Wound care commissioning proved to be a key topic, alongside the GP contractual changes due to take effect in October. These changes are still being considered nationally by GPC England, and I will share updates as soon as further details are available.

Last week, I also had the privilege of delivering another ST1 trainee induction day—a role I have held since 2013 as a Training Programme Director. Every year I am struck by the passion, dedication, and resilience of doctors beginning their GP training. Their energy continues to be a source of my own lifelong learning. The world may have changed over the years, but the humanity at the heart of our profession remains constant.

“The next generation has always been and will be better than the previous one. If it is not, then the world would not be moving forward” – Kapil Dev

Dr Shaba Nabi
Chair: Avon LMC

If you would like the opportunity to see the LMC Conference in action, we have one space available for a GP representative to attend. An honorarium will be provided for the day, and all travel and accommodation expenses (train and hotel) will be fully reimbursed by GPDF.

As the conference is being held in Manchester, Avon LMC representatives will travel on Thursday evening and return the following evening.

If you are interested in attending, please email info@almc.co.uk

A reminder that the deadline for submission of motions to this conference is Friday 5th September. We welcome both fully drafted motions and initial ideas, so please send these to us by the deadline.

The Question: Is it a contractual requirement for us to award the DDRB uplift to all staff? We recently applied a significant uplift to our front-line staff and would like to know whether we are legally obliged to provide further uplifts.

Answer: Thank you for your query about DDRB uplifts for practice staff. The only contractual obligation is to share DDRB uplifts with:

1. Salaried GPs Employed Under the BMA Model Contract

Awarding the DDRB uplift is contractually required. The GMS/PMS contract mandates that any salaried GP’s terms must be no less favourable than the BMA model contract.

2. Other Salaried GPs under GMS/PMS Contracts

If a salaried GP is employed on non-BMA model contract (on terms no less favourable), DDRB uplifts would depend on the wording of their contract.

3. Other Practice Staff

Practice staff on Agenda for Change contracts are included in the 2025 DDRB recommendations
More information can be found in this BMA DDRB FAQs found here.

Question: Is it a contractual requirement for us to award the DDRB uplift to all staff? We recently applied a significant uplift to our front-line staff and would like to know whether we are legally obliged to provide further uplifts.

Answer: Thank you for your query about DDRB uplifts for practice staff. The only contractual obligation is to share DDRB uplifts with:

1. Salaried GPs Employed Under the BMA Model Contract
Awarding the DDRB uplift is contractually required. The GMS/PMS contract mandates that any salaried GP’s terms must be no less favourable than the BMA model contract.

2. Other Salaried GPs under GMS/PMS Contracts
If a salaried GP is employed on non-BMA model contract (on terms no less favourable), DDRB uplifts would depend on the wording of their contract.

3. Other Practice Staff
Practice staff on Agenda for Change contracts are included in the 2025 DDRB recommendations
More information can be found in this BMA DDRB FAQs found here.

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

We are pleased to announce our upcoming training schedule for October to December 2025. All sessions are open for booking, and we kindly ask you to read the information below carefully before making arrangements.
Booking Process

• Only Practice Managers are authorised to book staff onto training sessions.
• There is a strict limit of 3 attendees per practice per course.
• If you would like to request more than three places, please email us at ALMCLearningHub@almc.co.uk, and we will review availability and respond accordingly.

Please find the booking link here.
The schedule will be updated on our training’s page. Please visit here if you are looking for specific training for your team.

For these courses, all face-to-face (F2F) sessions will take place at,
Avon Local Medical Committee, 14a High Street, Staple Hill, BS16 5HP
All courses will take place between 9:30am – 4:30pm unless otherwise stated.

Please note that bookings are on a first-come, first-served basis and places are limited.

We would like to remind all Practices that the Immunisation Decline Form is optional. It is not mandatory if you feel that this form is not suitable for your Practice.

However, there is following requirement suggested from SCW South West CHIS Team.

• A copy of the clinical notes that clearly states the date the Parent/Carer has decline the immunisation, which antigens/vaccines have been declined/refused and that this information has been recorded by a clinician and not a non-clinical member of your team.

If you require any further help or guidance, please don’t hesitate to contact scwcsu.immunisations.swchis@nhs.net.

This can be found here.

• Tuesday 02 Sep General practice bulletin
• Thursday 28 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.

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