2021 is an election year, stand for your LMC

This year all the seats on our 27 LMCs are up for election, with nominations opening on 26 April and closing on 28 May.

During the week of 26 April all GPs working in the Londonwide LMCs area should receive a nomination email and letter from Civitas, who independently administer our election process. As part of standing for election you will need to have your nomination endorsed by two other GPs who practice in your local area by the deadline of 28 May.

If you are not currently receiving emails from Londonwide LMCs please contact brt@lmc.org.uk to make sure your details are up to date, so you can participate in both the nomination process and subsequent elections.

The election was scheduled to happen in the summer of 2020 but was postponed to allow LMC members and constituent GPs to focus on the Coronavirus pandemic response.

Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell, our Deputy CEO, has this message for all our constituent GPs:

“With all the seats across the Londonwide LMC’s area up for election, this is a great opportunity to add new talent to the experienced representatives on our LMCs. It’s important to get every London GP partner, employed GP, locum, new entrant and trainee GP involved in their LMC.

“Whether you are an experienced LMC member who knows the system inside out, returning to work from maternity leave or a career break, recently qualified, or a long qualified GP with no previous experience in a medical leadership role, your expertise is welcome and we encourage you to stand. Your perspective and ideas are valuable to your LMC. If you are a new LMC member, you will be supported by colleagues to develop your knowledge of the wider healthcare landscape and step into new responsibilities as you become ready for them. Many of our current LMC Chairs, Vice-Chairs and Medical Directors started their involvement during VTS or shortly after qualifying. You can read about one such journey here.

“This is a challenging and important time for general practice, and we need the strongest possible voice from the grassroots, as practices continue to manage their response to the Coronavirus pandemic, and prepare for the significant health needs which will follow it. As the NHS moves forward from the immense trials of the past year and now faces higher demand, backlogs alongside transformation, arguably, it has never been more important that the views and insights of grass roots GPs are heard in discussions that will impact on patients, practices and practice staff.

“The continued development of a new commissioning landscape with greater powers for Integrated Care Systems demands a strong frontline GP voice. LMCs are perfectly placed to coordination and advocate for the consistent and authentic voice of general practice, bringing together individuals, practices, Primary Care Networks, and federations alongside other providers.

“Only LMCs represent every GP practice in their area and every person working within each one. And being part of the Londonwide LMCs’ family gives your LMC greater influence as they feed-in to our pan-London leadership role, in turn Londonwide LMCs supports individual LMCs with advice, guidance, intelligence and development opportunities.

“We will circulate nomination packs shortly, but if you are interested in standing and would like to discuss it further, please speak to your LMC chair or contact our office: lmc-elections@lmc.org.uk.

“Practice managers and nurses should stay in touch with developments. Following the elections LMCs have the opportunity to appoint practice team members as observers.”

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