Avon LMCs Newsletter on 21-01-26

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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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The past fortnight has been a full and reflective one. It began with some excellent HR training delivered by the Gloucestershire Training Hub, which proved highly relevant across all of my roles. With the Employment Rights Bill having become law last month, it is increasingly important that GP contract holders are sighted on the changes that will come into effect later this year and the implications for practices as employers.

This week also saw the LMC Committee meet to take several significant decisions, including agreement on practice levy increases and a restructuring of the LMC Board. These were not decisions taken lightly. We remain acutely aware of the intense financial pressure practices are facing, but we are equally committed to maintaining a strong, independent, and sustainable LMC that is not reliant on external commercial interests. Even with this second increase, Avon LMC continues to operate with the lowest practice levy among Southwest LMCs.

Finally, I attended an all-day GPC England meeting in London last week. While there was limited clarity on the detail of ongoing contract negotiations, it was evident that the current BMA  demands are unlikely to be met in full. This inevitably raises the prospect of a further phase of collective or industrial action, although it would be premature to plan next steps until the contract position is clearer. What is clear, however, is the need for solidarity and stamina as we navigate the months ahead. As ever, this work is not about quick wins but long-term resilience.

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.”  – Walter Elliot

Shaba Nabi
Chair: Avon LMC

The Committee met virtually and agreed the following decisions:

Increase in Practice Levy Payments
A letter has been sent to Practice Managers this morning, detailing the proposed LMC levy increase from April 2026 and beyond.

Even following the full staged increase over the three-year period, Avon LMC will continue to have the lowest LMC levy across the Southwest.

LMC Board Restructure
The LMC Board will undergo a restructure over the coming months to introduce a medical secretariat model, incorporating employed operational roles. The Chair and three Board Directors will remain elected positions, retaining responsibility for strategic oversight and governance.

Two new Medical Director roles will be recruited to provide enhanced operational support, improve organisational resilience, and allow greater flexibility in working patterns.

This Board restructure represents a cost-neutral transformation and will not result in any additional financial burden to the organisation once fully implemented.

Question: We seem to have regular requests from anaesthetists or pre-op nurses for us to act upon abnormal blood results that they find at pre-op assessment. Is this the job of a GP?

Answer: Your query relates to the lines of responsibility for managing abnormal blood test results requested by the pre-operative clinic.

Responsibility depends on what would constitute usual care within the GP practice setting.

For example, if a low ferritin level were identified—something the practice would typically advise the patient to manage through self-care—and the pre-operative clinic requested further optimisation before surgery, the responsibility for that management would lie with the pre-operative team.

Conversely, if a raised HbA1c was detected, and the normal GP practice protocol would be to manage new Type 2 Diabetes in primary care, then responsibility would ordinarily rest with the GP.

This is a reminder that this takes place within Bristol Children’s Hospital and General Practice is not commissioned to provide this service. You are entitled to pushback on this work, even if you are signed up to the adult eating disorders physical monitoring enhanced service.

Expression of interest deadline 13^th February.

We have a small number of places remaining for GP members who wish to represent Avon LMC at the Annual UK LMC Conference. We are delighted to be returning to Belfast—there’s nothing quite like a touch of Irish craic to brighten a busy conference programme.

This is a valuable opportunity to network with LMC colleagues from across the UK, contribute to national discussions, and gain insights that directly inform local and national GP representation. Priority will be given to GP members who have not previously attended a national conference.

Please see key details below:

Conference venue:    ICC Belfast, Northern Ireland

Date:                          13^th – 15^th May 2026
Travel:                        Flights, Accommodation, evening meal and other agreed expenses are covered/reimbursable.

Payment:                    Representative attendees are paid a fixed payment for attending Conference.

Accommodation Options
Accommodation is reimbursable for 12^th, 13^th and 14^th May. Should you wish to stay the night of the 15^th May this would need to be self-funded.

Flight Options

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer any observer places for this conference unless they are self-funded.

If you are interested in attending, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing: info@almc.co.uk

The ICB recently shared some guidance on enabling GP Connect. It is vital all practices engage with this as it is a core contractual requirement since October 2025. If you are having any issues, please contact One Care digital team: digital@onecare.org.uk

The GPC England officer team will be hosting a series of webinars in early 2026. A range of topics will be covered including updates regarding contract and policy development, and the latest committee and profession plans and next steps. Further information regarding registration details and additional dates will be provided in the new year, but please note the following for your diary: 

Thursday 29^th January 2026, 7-9pm (register)

Wednesday 28 January 2026, 12–2pm (register)

NHS England has shared guidance on improving chaperoning practice within the NHS.

Following the introduction of MMRV we have become aware of some template issues and following a national call yesterday we would appreciate if you could share the following to practices please:-

CHIS are aware that some EMIS and TPP S1 practices are using templates for recording immunisations that are not recording MMRV.

• Issue appears to be regarding those practices using out of date locally configured templates. Any practices not using a 3rd party tool i.e. by Ardens, need to update the templates themselves.
• Ardens have released an update (v19.7), no issues reported with those using the updated template.
• It was reported some practices enter vaccinations using the grid. We have checked and SystmOne will not allow you to record at 12 months if you click on varicella on the grid as there is nothing to click on. But if you click on any of the MMR triangles due at 12 months, MMRV appears on the drop down and will record correctly. Therefore, if practices query not being able to record via the grid, they should be advised of the above.
• TPP will not be changing the grid. It is therefore down to the practitioner to give the correct dose according to UKHSA guidance and not to rely on templates/grid for clinical decisions.

Action practices: Practices should ensure they are using Ardens template (v19.7), or have  updated any locally held templates if not Ardens.

Action CHIS: To query any vaccines entered as MMR to clarify if  they have actually given MMRV if age / dose appropriate.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Kind regards


Helen Finnie | Regional CHIS Manager
SCW South West CHIS Team 

• 3 March 2026: Virtual LMC drop in, 1pm – 2pm
• 5 May 2026: Virtual LMC drop in, 1pm – 2 pm
• 7 July 2026: Virtual LMC drop in, 1pm – 2pm

Discover a world of knowledge with ALMC Learning Hub! Our monthly newsletter is your backstage pass to course updates and expert insights straight to your inbox.

Subscribe now and stay informed, you would find out what additional training will be coming up and know more about our trainers. 

• Tuesday 20 Jan General practice bulletin
• Thursday 15 Jan General practice bulletin

The GPNC Development Project was established to improve access to meaningful training and development opportunities for non-clinical and management staff, recognising the vital role they play in the sustainability of general practice.
 
We are running an evaluation survey to help measure the project’s impact. The survey is aimed at all non-clinical roles in general practice. By sharing your insights, you’ll help us understand what worked well, identify areas of learning, and shape future support for your role. To complete the survey, please click here.
  
For further information, please contact Louise Carthy, Project Lead, at L.Carthy@nhs.net. 

A reminder that the stakeholder engagement survey for the Training Hub’s General Practice Workforce Project is still live. The project aims to?drive improvements to the quality and accessibility of workforce information, enabling General Practice to be better represented and supported in workforce planning at a neighbourhood, locality and system-wide level.? 
 
The survey is to?gather insights from colleagues on their workforce information and workforce planning processes, and to seek interest from practices and PCNs in being involved in a pilot. To complete the survey click here. 
  
For further information, please contact Louise Carthy, Project Lead, at L.Carthy@nhs.net.   

Please find the attached Flyer here.

Fully funded opportunity for spirometry training and support sessions for staff sign off and ARTP portfolio completion if required.
We especially need to fill the earlier dates, and while I appreciate that this is very short notice, it would be great if we could get some more bookings on those dates.

Please note that face-to-face training will be at BNSSG practices, not at the address stated on the booking form.

Spirometry training dates below, this is the last chance for funded training from us.

• 2-day performing and interpreting spirometry (online RN)
• 1 day performing only (face-to-face HCSW)
• Support sessions – sign off competencies and ARTP (face to face)

Course	Date	Number of candidates	on line/in person	Trainer
2 day spirometry – cohort 1	29/01/2026	TBC	on line via Teams	S Greenwood
2 day spirometry – cohort 1	26/02/2026	TBC	on line via Teams	S Greenwood
2 day spirometry – cohort 2	18/02/2026	TBC	on line via Teams	S Greenwood
2 day spirometry – cohort 2	25/03/2026	TBC	on line via Teams	S Greenwood
1 Performing only Bristol	27/02/2026	TBC	In Person	Linda
1 Day Performing N Somerset	29/01/2026	TBC	In Person	Jane
Assessment day 1 Bristol	10/02/2026	6 only	In Person	Linda
Assessment Day 2 N Somerset	11/02/2026	6 only	In Person	Jane
Assessment Day 3 Bristol	03/03/2026	6 only	In Person	Linda
Assessment Day 4 Bristol	31/03/2026	6 only	In Person	Linda

Please fill in the attached booking form as soon as possible and send it directly to the NHSI, (and cc me in).

If you have any queries please get in touch.

Best wishes,
Liz
Liz Mallett  RGN, QN, BSc (Hons) Community Nursing, PG Cert Public Health.
BNSSG ICB General Practice Nurse Lead
Knowledge Mobilisation Fellow for Group Consultations

BRIG meeting: Thursday the 22nd of January. 
Please come and join us to discuss anything respiratory related.

Please find the attached poster here.

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– LATEST TRAINING AND EVENTS –

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