Avon LMCs Newsletter on 22-05-24

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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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I attended a GPC England meeting last week, which you may have heard about in the news, as we voted in favour of a ballot for GP Partners for collective action which will not result in contractual breaches. This ballot will run from 17/06/24 – 29/07/24, with a plan for action commencing soon after the this.

Now, you would be correct in wondering:

1. Why have salaried and locum GPs been excluded?
2. Isn’t refusing to engage with non-contractual work and ensuring safe workload limits something we should be doing anyway?

This is phase one of the ballot and the plan is to review progress made after phase one before stepping up to phase two, which would require a statutory ballot of all GP members. You can hear more about these plans at the virtual GPC England Roadshow on 20^th June, 19.00 -21.00, with sign up details to be shared in due course.

More locally, representatives from Avon LMC will be attending the annual UK LMC Conference tomorrow for two days in Newport, Wales. We will share the highlights of this with you next week but please don’t hesitate to share your views about any aspects of the agenda as we are representing on your behalf.

Dr Shaba Nabi
Chair Avon LMC

Question: We are getting lots of calls from SWAST paramedics asking us to make decisions on whether or not to admit a patient, and this feels like a lot of additional risk for us to be carrying.

Answer: : Avon LMC attends regular meetings with SWAST and will raise this with them. There should be senior clinicians in the SWAST control centre available when paramedics have a clinical query. On occasion, further background medical information may be required, which could be provided by the practice administrative team. If a GP chooses to offer clinical advice, they are doing so based on a clinical assessment not performed by them, and they must be confident in that assessment.

It has been brought to light by system partners that there is some confusion around the DPO service currently being offered in BNSSG. Avon LMC can confirm that they do not offer a DPO service to practices and do not contract, commission, or recommend a service to General Practice. A DPO service is currently undergoing a procurement process with the ICB however Avon LMC are not part of this. We understand Practices have used a DPO service that was formerly affiliated with Avon LMC however this is no longer endorsed by us

It is useful to encourage patients to use the NHS App to request prescriptions, book appointments, and gain on-line access to their records. However, switching on notifications will be a key part of this process, so that patients can also be notified of their appointments in this way, instead of using the automated text message service.

The premises cost directions were updated in May 2024 and the full document can be found here.
The key points are:

• The PCD applies to all practices.  There is no discernible difference in how practices are to be treated, whether contractors own their building or lease from NHS Property Service.
• ICB can now award GP funding up to 100% of project values. Previously a maximum of 66%. There are conditions placed on this funding. 
• This funding includes building of new premises, purchase of land, and development of premises, increasing the existing floor space and premises improvements for providing primary medical services. 
• An ‘appointed valuer’ can now carry out valuations for NHSE, previously this would have been the District Valuer, in the aim to speed up the process to obtain funding.
• Professional fees can be reimbursed to a certain value, with conditions .
• Practices must notify NHSE within 12 weeks whether they do or do not accept the notional rent and reimbursement. Most ICBs have stipulated a 3-month response time from the date of the letter.  This now makes it consistent and enforceable that there is a 3-month deadline.  
• Support for contractors who apply for grants, obtain them, but retire without a successor.
• Reimbursement for Stamp Duty Land Tax on acquiring land
• Rights for NHS England to reclaim overpayments.
• The area regarding rent reimbursement is slightly more mystifying.  At this stage it appears that you have to undertake some negotiation between landlord and tenant. Leaseholders should ensure landlords do not add VAT but if added, it can be reimbursed.
• No commitment towards service charge costs, an ongoing issue  

Whilst this document is welcomed, it does come with the caveat that it does not include nor mention any additional funding to the ICB alongside it. I guess we will need to give it time to see how this document takes effect, as well as give it time for the ICB and most professionals to digest this content and implications of these new directions.

Read the latest GPC England bulletin here

Avon LMC extends heartfelt wishes to all colleagues observing Wesak (Buddha Day), on 23rd May 2024.

• Thursday 16 May General practice bulletin (mailchi.mp)
• Tuesday 21 May General practice bulletin (mailchi.mp)

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– LATEST TRAINING AND EVENTS –

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Organised by Lily Dixon (First Contact Practitioner Education Lead) and Kerri Magnus (Education Development Lead) at the BNSSG Training Hub, this FREE online forum will deliver updates, identify challenges, and provide training on blood and infection sciences. Topics include:

1. Update changes on the ICE requesting pathways for clinicians
2. Support any REMEDY updates focused on blood and infection sciences

• 12 June 2024 12:30 – 13:30
• For GPs and Primary Care clinical staff (staff nurses, AHPs, PAs, and pharmacy staff)
• Microsoft Teams 

To register please click on the flyer here.

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