Avon LMCs Newsletter on 07-05-25

The ALMC Newsletter

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

– LATEST NEWS –

South Glos Director’s Blog

It’s been a busy time for me, and I imagine for most of us as well. With Easter and May bank holiday, work tends to get busier on the days in between and those that follow. However, it’s also been wonderful to have some time off, especially an extra day with family when the sun is shining!

This is an exciting week, at the LMC UK conference. I’m flying off to Glasgow for the Conference. Alongside me will be Mike Jenkins, North Somerset Board Director and Rosie Floyd, GP Partner at Kingswood Health Centre. In addition, Rebecca Kemp, Avon LMC General Manager and Robyn Clark, Managing Partner at Kingswood, will be attending as observers. At this conference, we, your LMC, aim to influence and make a difference in General Practice. There are many motions to discuss and one of Avon LMC’s motions has been prioritised. I will be proposing this motion. The motion requests that the conference reject shared care prescribing with private providers. This issue is particularly important, especially as NHS waiting times have increased, leading to more of our patients seeking private healthcare. Avon LMC has provided guidance to our members on this interface issue, which you can find on our website: Avon LMC Guidance on General Practice Interface with Private Providers.

At the end of the first day of the conference, there is usually a dinner and dance, and I’m sure this year will feature a Ceilidh dance, given that we are in Glasgow!

We look forward to updating you on the conference. If you would like to see the agenda, it can be found here: UK Conference Agenda – 16 April 2025.

Nafeesa Arshad
Board Director: Avon LMC

New to General Practice Nurses

The requirements for the New to GPN ARRs role have been updated, removing the need for a level 6 diploma in LTC.

This change is a positive step, as feedback indicated that new-to-practice nurses are unlikely to have completed a level 6 diploma in LTC before entering general practice, since it is not typically part of routine practice in other healthcare areas.

For more details, refer to page 116, B21 of the DES Contract: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/PRN01903-network-contract-des-contract-specification-2025-26-v1.1.pdf.

Expression of Interest: North Somerset Board Director

The North Somerset Board Director role is coming up for election, and the window is now open for expressions of interest. If you are a GP working in North Somerset and would like to be part of the work the LMC does on behalf of BNSSG, please complete the EOI by 16th May 2025, which can be found here.

The role is an elected post for five hours per week, with a three-year fixed-term employment contract. The successful post holder must attend a weekly Board Meeting on a Tuesday afternoon. If you require any further information, don’t hesitate to contact Rebecca on rebecca@almc.co.uk

You asked, We said

Question: We’re having an issue with the DVLA offering a flat fee of £40 for GPs to complete their medical questionnaires. This doesn’t reflect the time it takes, so we’ve been invoicing them £75, which they’re refusing to pay — leaving the patient stuck in the middle.

Can I clarify — this isn’t core NHS work, so are we entitled to set our own fees? And if the DVLA doesn’t accept our charges, is it their responsibility to find an alternative provider?

Answer: That is correct, it is not contractual work. The BMA gives guidance on fees on their website via this link: Fees for driver licensing and the DVLA and states: “It is not mandatory to use the DVLA invoice template. You can still use your own invoice, but the DVLA requests that it includes the details listed in their invoice template.”

Occupational Health – Needlestick Injury

We have arranged for Avon LMC to continue to hold a contract with UHBW Occupational Health and are aware that some practices will be due to renew shortly. This service is primarily used to support needle stick injuries.

Should you wish to use the service via Avon LMC’s contract, please let me know, and I can arrange the access fee and relevant invoicing to be set up. As soon as I have the appropriate financial information, I will be able to provide practices with the cost implications. Avon LMC wishes to provide access to the services while ensuring that practices do not pay more than is necessary.

Because more than one provider is offering the service through UHBW, we ask that you make it known whose contract you are accessing the service under in case both companies have you listed. Should you appear on both lists and have not identified which contract provider you are using, UHBW may contact you to confirm who’s contract you are accessing the services under. This could affect the amount the contract holder charges you.

Those who already use Avon LMC will be contacted individually once the renewal is due.

Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any further questions and please notify me if you wish to have access to the service through Avon LMC. The 2025 tariff can be found here.

GPC England Update

This can be found here

Dates for your Diary