About Us
The Local Medical Committee (LMC) is a body recognised in statute as representing all local general practitioners working within the NHS. Its boundaries must be coterminous with one or more Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). As the local representative committee of NHS GPs, it is recognised in the NHS Acts and Regulations, as the body with whom those PCTs must consult on issues affecting the administration of GPs' contracts and remuneration, and the services they provide to patients. The LMC also has many other professional and statutory responsibilities and now seeks to represent all GPs within its geographical area of responsibility.
In 2007 the LMC established a company limited by guarantee (Nottinghamshire LMC Ltd) to whom, on legal advice, it transferred the responsibility for carrying out almost all of its responsibilities, and for its staff. The elected members of the LMC constitute the membership of the Company. The Company has five GP Directors, including the LMC Chairman, who is automatically Chair of Nottinghamshire LMC Ltd, and the Chief Executive, who is also the Company Secretary.
The role which Nottinghamshire LMC Ltd undertakes on the LMC's behalf can be subdivided into three broad categories:
- Representative: We represent the views of GPs to a variety of bodies, most notably our local PCTs, but also to local authorities, social services, other NHS Trusts, other contracted professions, patient representative bodies, MPs, national bodies such as the General Practitioners Committee of the BMA (GPC), General Medical Council (GMC), the RCGP, and local and national media. We also undertake negotiations on behalf of our constituent GPs, individually and collectively.
- Advisory: We have always taken it upon ourselves to keep GPs informed of local and national developments, circulating guidance on local issues and initiatives, and supplementing what is available nationally, where appropriate. We also provide advice on a wide range of subjects to practices and individual GPs.
- Pastoral: We have traditionally looked after the interests of individual constituents needing advice or assistance. The Pastoral Services which Nottinghamshire LMC Ltd now provides includes assistance to GPs suffering ill health, or needing help in coping with any personal crisis, helping individuals or practices respond to patient complaints, and conciliating in intra or inter practice disputes (for further details please go to our Pastoral Services page).
For further background information about the LMC click on any of the highlighted links below: