What we do

What we do

Surrey and Sussex Local Medical Committees (LMCs) are here to support and represent all general practitioners (GPs) and GP practices within Kingston and Richmond, Croydon, Surrey, and East and West Sussex.

Local Medical Committees are independent bodies, statutorily recognised by successive National Health Service (NHS) Acts since 1911, as the sole professional organisation representing GPs and their practices to the Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). An LMC also represents the views of GPs to any other appropriate organisation or agency. Unlike the British Medical Association (BMA), it is not a trade union and is funded by contributions from GP practices.

The 1999 NHS Act extended the LMC role to include representation of all GPs, whatever their contractual or employment status. This includes general medical services (GMS) GPs, personal medical services (PMS) GPs, and sessional GPs.

Although there have been countless changes within the NHS and community care, LMCs across the UK are the single element of continuity throughout all the reorganisations since the NHS was established.

Our Structure

Surrey and Sussex LMCs are a confederation of five statutory Local Medical Committees:

• Kingston and Richmond LMC
• Croydon LMC
• Surrey LMC
• East Sussex LMC
• West Sussex LMC

Each Committee exists independently but is supported by a shared LMC Secretariat. The LMC Board—ECCOSS (Executive Committee of the Confederation of Surrey and Sussex LMCs)—comprises the Chairs of the five LMCs, along with the Deputy Chair of Surrey (in recognition of its size), and is attended ex-officio by the Chief Executive. ECCOSS meets approximately every two months.

Our History

Surrey LMC was inaugurated in 1912, and the original minutes of its earliest meetings are held in the British Medical Association archives. At its inception, it covered the current London Boroughs of Kingston, Richmond, Merton, Sutton, and much of Croydon. When these areas joined the Greater London area in 1965, Croydon, Kingston, and Richmond chose to remain linked to Surrey LMC and later formed two separate LMCs.

East Sussex LMC joined the Surrey and Sussex Confederation in 2004. Notably, prior to this, East Sussex LMC members served without honorarium. Surrey LMC had also previously been split into East and West Surrey before merging into a single Committee.

What can we help you with?

Beyond our statutory role, we offer a broad range of services and support, including:

• LMC Buying Group: We participate in the national LMC Buying Group, which offers member practices access to exclusive discounts on essential products and services.
• National representation: Our elected members attend the UK and England LMC Conferences, helping shape national healthcare policy and advocating for general practice at the highest levels.
• Local representation: Each of our five LMCs is democratically elected and chaired by practising GPs. We provide leadership, advice, and advocacy in negotiations and discussions with local ICBs and other system partners.
• GP Support Service: We offer confidential, personal 1:1 advice and support for individual GPs and practices. This includes help with partnership issues, contractual or regulatory disputes, and pastoral support in times of difficulty.
• Conferences and training: We run regular webinars, workshops, and events tailored to the evolving needs of general practice. These range from clinical topics to practice management, resilience, and leadership development.
• Briefings and updates: We keep GPs informed with timely newsletters, policy briefings, and updates on national and local developments affecting primary care.

Surrey and Sussex LMC Line WhatsApp Channel

Did you know that Surrey and Sussex LMC have been developing a WhatsApp Channel that you can follow called Surrey and Sussex LMC Line?  Should you wish to follow then you click the button below to find out how.