NWL Access Programme
The Phase 1 – General Practice Access Engagement NHS Standard Contract and specifications, including the patient survey, were sent to PCNs on 9th October 2024. Details of the staff survey requirements will be sent in due course. CDs are encouraged to review and discuss the contract and specifications with their PCN practices prior to signature, including whether this can be delivered within the financial envelope available using your proposed workforce model and associated costs including SMS costs. Upon receipt of a signed contract the ICB will release the funding associated with this phase to PCNs.
There have been valid concerns raised regarding the project timelines and expected return rates, SMS costs, the methodology and possible exclusion of some health groups which LMC representatives have repeatedly highlighted in their engagement meetings with the ICB.
However, the outputs from this phase could provide practices with meaningful insights from their patient groups and help steer and inform discussions with their registered population regarding access and the challenges in relation to the demand and capacity mismatch we’re seeing across the health system, but particularly in general practice. The LMC has developed, in association with Co-create, patient participation resources which can support practices as part of the patient engagement exercises to fulfil the requirements of the specification. Further details are available on the LMC website.
In our last update we advised that we are still awaiting confirmation of the release of the proposed £2 per patient for Phase 2 of the Access programme and details of the process that PCNs need to follow to access the funding post Phase 1. This information remains outstanding from NWL ICB. However, at the NWL ICB October Primary Care Programme Board an update was provided by the project manager. Key points to note;
- The ICB business case required to gain approval for the release of the proposed £2/patient is being re-written to strengthen the strategic and economic case. Once the changes are made, the new business case will be re-submitted.
- On the understanding that all 45 PCNs will not submit proposals to move to Phase 2, and that there is little time to implement plans for areas starting from scratch, the ICB have ‘reduced the funding pot being requested’*
- The new amount will fall within NWL ICB CEO’s delegated authority to sign off.
*Londonwide LMCs have requested what the total reduced amount is. No further details have been provided by the ICB.
Primary Secondary Care Interface
- Trust contact details on correspondence: the ICB is looking for a technical fix in Cerner to support a letterhead with department-specific contact details for patients and GPs. Training and reminders are being provided for Trust staff.
- Update on Trust-GP liaison systems: Hillingdon Hospital has now identified a GP contact, the new SRO, to take GP queries for raising at the Trust-GP forum. This means all major trusts in NWL have identified contacts and a forum to resolve GP concerns. In addition, LNWHT and Imperial have both set up webpages with an online form:
- Overarching action plan to monitor progress: each Trust has identified a SRO to draw up an action plan; the ICB has committed to produce an overarching action plan with RAG rating and share it with the LMC to monitor progress.
- Significant safety issues with cancer/sarcoma pathways: the LMC is providing details for the ICB to raise with the Trusts, the new cancer lead and the Cancer Alliance.
Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INT)
The ICB is developing a proposal for North West London, to be fully launched by March 2025. There is no set model for this work, or the integrator role and a funding stream has not yet been identified. The LMC has obtained reassurance that general practice budgets will be ring fenced, and alternative funding will be identified to support this work. The ICB board paper can be viewed here.
BMA collective action update
The BMA has refreshed its Safe Working Guidance Handbook. For more information, please visit the BMA’s GP campaign webpage and useful links such as the guidance for GP collective action, background to the 2024/25 contract changes, infographics that can be downloaded and displayed in practices, and GPC England’s vision for general practice, which was published last week. The BMA wants GPs to feel safe and empowered to take action that protects their patients and their practices.
Team news
Hannah Theodorou, Medical Director for NWL LMCs, will be on maternity leave from next week.
We would like to welcome Sukhpal Shergill, who will be Deputy Medical Director covering Hannah’s leave, starting from 4 November 2024. Sukhpal has helpful experience as a former Principal GP, LMC member and LMC Chair, and is currently a Sessional GP and CD in North West London. To contact Suk prior to this date, please email Ian.Oakley@lmc.org.uk.