Avon LMCs Newsletter on 29-04-26

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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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Last night’s face-to-face meeting of the Main Committee was a powerful reminder of what makes our LMC effective: the commitment, insight and integrity of our grassroots representatives. I want to extend my sincere thanks to all committee members who gave their time to attend. These meetings are not just formalities—they are where the real voice of general practice in BNSSG is heard, challenged and shaped.

The Main Committee is, and always will be, the foundation of Avon LMC. Through your representatives, every practice has both a voice and a mechanism to hold the LMC to account. That accountability is not symbolic—it is essential.

I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm something that sits at the heart of everything we do: the LMC exists because of, and for, our practices. We are funded by you to represent your interests, and that responsibility is one we take extremely seriously. Transparency and accountability are not optional extras—they are fundamental principles. The trust you place in us, both financially and professionally, will never be taken for granted.

It is that trust which has enabled us to move forward with a significant structural reorganisation of the LMC. This has been a considered and necessary step to ensure we are better aligned with the evolving needs of general practice across BNSSG. Our aim is simple: to provide greater value for your levies and more effective, responsive representation for your practices.

As part of this transformation, I am pleased to announce that Dr Tanya Beer and Dr Shaba Nabi have been successfully appointed as Medical Directors at Avon LMC. They will each be working 10 hours per week across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, focusing on representing and advocating for our practices. Their appointments mark an important step in strengthening our leadership and our capacity to deliver on your priorities.

The recruitment process concluded only last week, and we are now finalising arrangements. We will share further details, including confirmed start dates, as soon as they are available.

Scroll to the bottom to find a seasonal medical dad joke..

Lee Salkeld
Chair: Avon LMC

The LMC Committee met face to face for an engaging and productive meeting. Items discussed included:

• Updated on the work being carried out to enable complex wound care and PSA surveillance commissioning
• Finance update
• Constitutional/governance discussions
• Long-term conditioning monitoring in general practice

Anyone LMC member is welcome to observe a committee meeting by emailing mandy@almc.co.uk

The next LMC drop-in on 5 May will focus on the upcoming UK LMC Conference on 13 – 15 May. Your conference representatives are seeking a steer for the more contentious motions and welcome healthy discussion and debate.

The conference agenda can be found here, but a summary of prioritised motions has been collated and can be found here.

If you would like to attend the next virtual drop-in, please register here.

Question: My understanding is that the cervical screening programme has now changed so that the interval is 5 yearly for all women 25-64; https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/.

However, QOF is keeping a distinction in 26/27 to include 3 yearly screening for women 25-50yrs. Is this going to be changed?

Answer: (with thanks to Dr Rachel Brown, Clinical Lead for SWAG CA Primary Care Case Finding)
The cervical screening policy team has confirmed that changes to the screening interval for people testing HPV-negative are not expected to affect the CS005 indicator (as currently worded) until 2028/29, as the rollout is prospective from July 2025. People last screened in 2023 or 24 will still be recalled at a 3-year interval; if eligible, they will move to a 5-year interval only after their next screening. We’ve added a line to this effect in the QOF guidance as well.

This has been a hot topic in the last few weeks, with both NHS England and the BMA publishing guidance on this link.
Avon LMC and the One Care Planned Care Team are aligned with regards to some of the basic principles which must be met before roll-out of this, including but not limited to:

• Monitoring workload impact for both primary and secondary care
• GPs to maintain the right to refer:
• Clear accountability and clinical responsibility
• Quality and consistency of decision-making

Kim Ball, Director of Nursing, gave oral evidence last week in her capacity as the RCN UK Professional Lead. She showcased BNSSG work and highlighted several key issues, including:

• Ongoing funding pressures and insufficient practice funding
• Pay and conditions disparities between general practice nurses and AfC colleagues, with associated retention risks
• National barriers to training access and funding
• The strong role of general practice in reaching disadvantaged groups, but the limitations created by short?term funding
• The loss of general practice leadership within ICBs and the resulting risk to primary care focus
• Frontline staff often receiving information after the media, making communication more difficult
• The importance of new?to?practice programmes for newly qualified and early?career nurses

She also referenced the BNSSG HPV outreach project and the strength of our local training offer compared to others in the country.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown and Dr Katie Bramell also gave evidence. Although she was unable to attend in person, she was pleased that nursing was well represented and that ALMC and the local work of BNSSG could be highlighted.

https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/735f33f9-f0c3-4e42-93dd-60094c55ae96

https://www.nursinginpractice.com/latest-news/nursing-in-practice-survey-quoted-in-parliament/

This can be found here.

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

Please note that our training webpage will undergo scheduled maintenance every Friday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. During this period, the system may be temporarily unavailable, and enrolment forms submitted may not be received or processed.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

• Tuesday 28 Apr General practice bulletin
• Thursday 23 Apr General practice bulletin

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What did the flower say when he found out it was allergy season?
“You’ve got to be pollen my leg.”

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– LATEST TRAINING AND EVENTS –

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