A note from the Chairman

Dear Colleagues

I would like to thank all of you who took the time to attend our roadshow with Dr Mark Sanford-Wood on 28th February to hear his presentation on the new contract and what it means for us. It was the best attended roadshow we have ever hosted, and from the questions and discussions it generated, it appears to have been well received.

We (the LMC) are very conscious that things are now moving ahead quite quickly across the country as a whole. It is essential that practices organise themselves into Primary Care Networks (PCNs) by the May deadline. Whilst it is true that it will not be compulsory for practices to join a PCN, the LMC would strongly encourage all practices to do so, simply because a choice to opt out of PCNs would mean that practices would deprive themselves of the funding that accompanies them. Furthermore, the rules clearly state that, even if practices do not become part of a PCN, their patient population would still be covered, and in these situations, PCN services would be provided by neighbouring practices who have indeed joined a PCN, so I cannot really see how it would be in a practice’s interests to opt out.

I am aware that many of you are already well advanced in your discussions with neighbouring practices and that is good. However, if you are not, could I encourage you to consider these arrangements carefully and with some urgency. I should like to add that the LMC is here to help you. In fact, we are mandated to work with the CCG and the CCG with us to ensure that the entire population of BNSSG is covered by PCNs made up of practices located in geographically logical areas.

There will inevitably be some questions as to how PCNs should be constituted and how the legal framework will be set up. My own view is that this need not be particularly complicated. There is no need for practices within a PCN to merge, unless they wish to do so of course. There will be funding for a day’s worth of doctor time every week in an averaged size PCN to allow for the development of a clinical director role. In addition there will need to be a facility for PCNs to hold funding centrally on behalf of all the practices within that PCN. You will also need to be putting some thought, in your PCNs as to how to employ staff (initially a social prescriber and a pharmacist) to work across the area. In order to answer some of the questions you may have, to help you to develop your PCNs, and to discuss how we can work with you and what you might need from us, the LMC is planning to hold a follow up meeting on Thursday 28th March 2018 at BAWA starting at 7:00pm. As with the roadshow, we would really like to see representation from as many practices as possible. The meeting is intended for GPs and practice managers but other members of the practice team who may be interested are all welcome. We realise that this is a very busy time of year and that you have all had to attend a large number of meetings recently. Nevertheless, we do believe this will be a helpful step in taking things on, in preparation for the May deadline.

If you would like to attend, please contact Pauline in the office: pauline@almc.co.uk to 0117 9702755 to let her know your name and which practice you represent.

I am also taking the opportunity to attach the PCN Handbook which was produced by the General Practitioners’ Committee this week.

With very best wishes

Mark Corcoran

Chairman Avon LMC