News

NHS England wrote to commissioners last week to inform them of two separate issues relating to the seasonal flu and childhood flu extractions, which may affect payments to practices. The communication outlines steps practices need to take, which vary based on their clinical system provider. Issue 1 – seasonal flu Injectable vaccines pharmacy reference sets […]

At the end of September NHS England published a letter outlining support for practices and Primary Care Networks (PCNs). These in-year changes include changes to the ARRS (including changes to reimbursement rates to reflect the Agenda for Change pay award and the introduction of ‘GP Assistants’ and ‘PCN Digital Leads’), removal/postponement of some IIF indicators, and […]

On the 4th October, Health Secretary Therese Coffey made a speech to Conservative Party Conference. This speech repeated the pledges made in her parliamentary statement, which we summarised here. On the 28th September, Shadow Health Secretary and Ilford North MP Wes Streeting made a speech to Labour Party Conference.  In a wide-ranging but relatively short […]

We issued the following comment in response to Charlie Massey, Chief Executive of the GMC’s comments about changing regulations to allow more specialty and associate specialist (SAS) doctors to work in general practice.

This message covers concerns over patient access to records falling on deaf ears in Government and a surprise October PCN DES opt-out window is now open.

Dear colleagues, As we head into what is already shaping up to be a challenging winter for general practice we want to emphasise that your LMC is here to represent your interests and those of everyone working in general practice. We are aware of the issues remaining around staff recruitment, retention and morale. Underfunding because […]

Comment on repeal of the Health and Social Care Levy that was passed by the House of Commons on 11 October. “With waiting lists lengthening across the country in GP practices and hospitals alike, now is not the time to remove £13bn per year from health and social care spending. Yet less than a year […]

Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell, our Deputy CEO assess whether giving patients access to their records will deliver on the reasons behind doing it.

Dear colleagues, Welcome to this update from Merton LMC. We are aiming to provide regular (bi-monthly) newsletters to keep you updated on the work that Merton LMC is doing to support you. A reminder of who your LMC members are: Merton LMC Dr Marek Jarzembowski (Principal) Chair Dr Paul Alford, Principal Principal) – Vice Chair […]