Who Do We Represent?
The LMC is recognised in statute and by PCTs as the local representative committee for independent GPs. Recognising the increasingly diverse nature of general practice today, we have sought to embrace all categories of GP including salaried GPs assistants, locums, retainees, GPs on the returner scheme and GP registrars.
Practice Managers
Practice Managers play an increasingly important role in the complex organisational structure of modern general practice, and are often the conduit through which the LMC communicates with GPs. Nottinghamshire LMC Ltd helped set up the Nottinghamshire Practice Managers' Committee and continues to support and work with its members, one of whom serves as a co-opted member of the LMC and Nottinghamshire LMC Ltd. For more details about the membership and remit of the Practice Managers' Committee, consult our website.
Salaried and Sessional GPs
The LMC seeks to represent and support all local GPs and for several years has maintained a Salaried and Sessional GPs Subcommittee to enable us to better engage with those GPs. The remit of the subcommittee is to consider matters of interest to Salaried and Sessional GPs, advise the LMC on how to address them, and to aid communications between the LMC and these doctors. The subcommittee organises an annual conference and will be publishing a Salaried and Sessional GPs' bulletin in the near future. Salaried GPs can avail themselves of GP representation, courtesy of levy payments made by their employers. Freelance locums are invited to pay a modest contribution in order to become part of the LMC "family".
GP Registrars
Nottinghamshire LMC Ltd has for the past few years ran with support from GP Trainers a six module training course for GP Registrars called ‘Life after VTS' and has been encouraging those who have participated to develop an interest in the work of the LMC. In 2010 we were delighted to co-opt three volunteers as Registrar Representatives on the LMC and will be working with them to see what further assistance we can offer to GPs of tomorrow.
Liaison with PCTs
Nottinghamshire LMC Ltd represents the views of GPs to those responsible for the local administration of GPs' contracts, i.e. the PCTs. Where appropriate we have sought to negotiate with these agencies on GPs' behalf. On an operational level, liaison with PCTs takes place continuously between our Secretariat and PCT managers, but LMC members and the Secretariat also participate in strategic discussions with PCT Chief Executives and Directors. In general we strive to maintain a cordial and business like relationship, with each of our PCTs, but we are not afraid to challenge and bargain with them, when necessary, to obtain what we believe is an appropriate and fair settlement for GPs, individually and collectively.