Avon LMCs Newsletter on 14-05-25

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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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What a wonderful week we are having with blue skies and sunshine, and days long enough to take an evening stroll after work. I have recently returned from Menorca – a beautiful island with the stunning Cami de Cavalls coastline walk. I averaged around fifteen thousand steps a day, ate lots of fresh seafood, and completely disconnected from work.

Meanwhile, I was grateful to my LMC colleagues who represented Avon LMC at the annual UK Conference of LMCs held in Glasgow on 8^th and 9^th May. It sounds like there was some stimulating and challenging debate about a variety of issues, from GP unemployment to vexatious complaints. Once again, Avon LMC played a crucial role at this conference, with Tanya Beer serving on the Agenda Committee, and Nafeesa Arshad proposing a motion to decline shared care prescribing with private providers, which was passed. You can read more about Rosie’s experiences as a first-time conference attendee within this newsletter.

I’m sure many of you have been hearing about the significant financial challenges faced by all ICBs in England and the requirement for BNSSG ICB to merge with Gloucestershire ICB. It is an extremely difficult time for all our hardworking ICB colleagues, as they are faced with uncertainty within their roles, and not for the first time. As previously mentioned, Avon LMC aims to work collaboratively with our system colleagues to ensure general practice remains resilient and sustainable.

“Fear is often our immediate response to uncertainty. There’s nothing wrong with experiencing fear. They key is not to get stuck in it. – Gabrielle Bernstein”

Shaba Nabi 
Chair Avon LMC

“Come to Glasgow, it will be fun” was about as much as I knew about the LMC UK Conference when the offer came to go along, but like most ideas presented to me by my Managing Partner Robyn Clark, it sounded like a good one. Funded flights, hotel and a ceilidh dinner got me over the line.

Conference was a really great experience, and I would strongly recommend those who have not been before to go. Much of the two days consisted of voting for motions presented by regional LMCs, many of which were topical, thought provoking and encouraged interesting debate.

These included motions about the involvement of GPs in future assisted dying legislation, policy towards International Medical Graduates (IMGs), the use of AI, mental health support for General Practice Staff and the data controller status of Partnerships. Each motion was presented by an LMC representative, with ‘for’ and ‘against’ arguments presented by other attendees. Where complexity arose, these were evaluated and interpreted by the ‘top table’ of the BMA GPs Committee representatives, including Katie Bramell- Stainer as chair of GPC England. Our own Avon LMC motion that ‘Any shared care prescribing arrangement with a private provider is unsafe, not enduring, and widens health inequalities’ was passed. In addition to the voting activity, there was a presentation by the BMA Sessional GP’s Committee focusing on the sessional workforce crisis, a debate about the GP Unemployment Crisis and breakout groups to include discussions about the primary and secondary care interface and the impact of secondary care waiting lists, to name a few.

Overall, it was a thought-provoking conference and after 5 years of Partnership, I learnt a great deal about what is going on behind the scenes in ours and other hardworking LMCs. As a UK Conference, it was particularly interesting to hear about challenges in other regions which we may have been insulated from so far but may be coming our way.  

Do sign up to the next conference offer!

General practice is busier than ever with staff at all levels feeling the pressure, especially front-of-house teams. 90% of contact with the NHS happens in general practice, which begins with the GP reception team. Supporting National Receptionist Day, the IGPM campaign aims to demonstrate to patients the complexity of the role and the emotional burden it can bring, and to encourage patients to support front-of-house staff.

A campaign video is available for practices. Please consider reviewing it before use as some content may be considered triggering.

GPC UK has produced a report demonstrating the far-reaching impact of GPs, which you can read on the BMA website.

GPC England has updated the BMA guidance on artificial intelligence to highlight the risks around data storage, processing and governance. This can be found here.
 

• 3rd June 2025: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00
• 1st July 2025: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00
• 9th September 2025: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00
• 4th November 2025: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00

National Receptionist’s Day falls on the second Wednesday in May each year, celebrating the vital role of receptionists across all industries. These professionals are often the unsung heroes of the workplace — the first point of contact for clients, customers, and visitors. Whether it’s answering phones, managing bookings, greeting guests with a smile, or juggling multiple admin tasks, receptionists help keep businesses running smoothly and create lasting first impressions.

Established to recognise their contribution to workplace culture and customer service, National Receptionist’s Day is a chance to show genuine appreciation for their dedication, professionalism, and incredible multitasking skills.

Whether your organisation has a team of receptionists or just one standout individual, this day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the faces behind the front desk.

• Thursday 8 May General practice bulletin
• Tuesday 13 May General practice bulletin

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– LATEST TRAINING AND EVENTS –

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Please see here for full event details.
For further information please contact Bnssg.training.hub@nhs.net

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