Guidance
2023/24 Seasonal Influenza and Covid-19 Vaccination Programmes
24-hour retirement (SSLMCs guidance June 2014)
This letter contains information relating to the new developed BMA Locum Practice Agreement which is available on the BMA Website.
BMA Locum Practice Agreement SSLMCs March 2019
Dr Julius Parker wrote to colleagues on the 18th of December 2024 to clarify the contractual position in relation to the use of the BMA Model Contract when employing Salaried General Practitioners, following a number of queries the Office has received.
The LMC cannot provide formal HR Advice...
Access to Medical Records to include SARs requests (BMA Guidance Update October 2018)
This guidance sets out a range of circumstances in which health professionals may receive, and respond to, requests for access to health records. It reflects the common enquiries received by the BMA. The...
The attached guidance outlines the problems identified if a practice is currently or in the past have:-
Used NHS Mail to receive communications
Used Docman Version 7
Had the EDT function enabled to transfer documents into the patients electronic records.
Use of Docman 7 with electronic data...
GPs are not contractually obliged to provide a sick note for pupils who are off sick from school, nor are they obliged to provide sickness certification for students who miss an exam or believe their performance was affected due to illness.
The provision of medical certificates for...
Changes in dispensing fees
We are writing to advise colleagues of the forthcoming changes to the list of notifiable diseases all colleagues are required to report. This will take effect from 6th April 2025.
In addition to the existing infections the following diseases should be reported if a patient is suspected of...
Financial Considerations in relation to the 20/21 GP Contract Agreement
PCN Scenario
Dear Colleagues
Please find a letter from the LMC containing the link to the GMS Ready Reckoner developed by the GPC in collaboration with NHS England to enable GP practices to better understand the...
A new Debt and Mental Health From has been introduced from 1st October to enable patients who need evidence of a mental health condition as part of seeking help with their finances.
Detailed guidance is available on the Money Advice Trust Website and attached is a letter providing a summary for...
The LMC has received and responded to numerous queries in relation to the delivery of the Extended Hours elements of the PCN DES which have now been collated and referenced to the contractual position which the LMC hopes will be helpful to all PCNs.
Delivery of the Extended Hours Access...
Two Supreme Court judgements made in March 2014 significantly increasing understanding of what, legally, constituted the deprivation of a person's liberty.
As a result, since Coroners are required to be informed of and/or hold an inquest into any death whilst in custody or in detention...
Diagnostic Spirometry in Adults (SSLMCs October 2017)
The NHS is establishing a National Register of certified healthcare professionals to assure the competence of those who undertake and interpret diagnostic spirometry which will be used to ensure spirometry testing meets the standards of the...
DBS checks should be undertaken on all clinical staff and, where appropriate, non-clinical staff whose duties include direct patient contact, eg a receptionist who acts as a chaperone or looks after the children of patients during consultations.
DDRB Review (SSLMCs April 2017)
DBS code of...
In March 2015 a new offence of driving with certain, specified controlled drugs in excess of legally defined levels in the body came into effect. This offence is in addition to laws then in force relating to drug (and alcohol) impaired driving and fitness to drive.
The regulations relating...
Ear Syringing - Irrigation and Guidance (LMC 17.1.18)
Attached is a letter from Dr Parker regarding Ear Syringing including ear de-waxing guidelines.
Ear Wax Syringing and Irrigation - Update (LMC June 2018)
NHS Health Check Incident Summary (NHS Public Health East Sussex November 2017)
Action for managing affected patients - Family history QRISK2 EMIS (NHS Public Health East Sussex November 2017)
Action for managing affected patients - summary of process and NICE Guidelines (NHS Public Health...
Dear Colleagues
Please find attached an information letter form the LMC providing an update on the Electronic Referral Service.
Electronic Referral Service Update (LMC 23.4.18)
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not legally recognised in the UK, though some individuals may find therapeutic benefit from their presence. NHS GPs are not contractually obligated to provide letters of support for ESAs.
If a GP chooses to provide a letter, this is considered non-NHS work,...
The EU Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) has been introduced across the European Union to address the increasingly common issue of falsified medicines entering the legitimate medicines supply chain. Falsified medicines include those with little or no active ingredients, the wrong active...
Care and Extended Hours (LMC June 2018)
Firearms Licensing Arrangements01117
Firearms MoU (18.7.19)
gp-proforma
Attached is an advice letter from Dr Parker which highlights the new arrangements for firearms licensing. The letter contains a number of background references.
Frailty - Batch-coding (SSLMCs October 2017)
The attached LMC guidance letter covers three important elements which are Extended Hours DES, "Reasonable needs" of patients and Sub-Contracting Arrangements. Attached is a letter from Dr David Geddes, Head of Primary Care Commissioning at NHS England. (December 2017)
GP Access
GP Contract Agreement 2019 LMC Updates SSLMCs February 2019
GP Contract Agreement April 2019 LMC February 2019
GP Indemnity Arrangements LMC January 2019
This is an interim update for all GP practices in relation to indemnity arrangements; the Secretary of State continues to assure General Practitioner Committee representatives that the Government remains committed to introducing a State backed...
GPCE response to NHSE plan to improve access & support general practice
The employment of GPs under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) continues to be a topic of considerable discussion among GPs and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) across England. There are ongoing concerns about the implications of this scheme, particularly with the structure and pay...
The employment of GPs under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) continues to be a topic of considerable discussion among GPs and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) across England. There are ongoing concerns about the implications of this scheme, particularly with the structure and pay...
This page provides clarity on the process for private healthcare providers referring patients to NHS services, focusing on the use of the Electronic Referral Service (eRS) and related responsibilities.
Overview
Private consultants and GPs can refer patients to NHS secondary care services....
This guidance outlines the LMC’s position on the provision of smoking cessation services and the prescribing of related medications.
Contractual Offers to Provide Smoking Cessation Services
When a practice receives an offer to provide a smoking cessation service, it is essential to:
Review...
This guide is designed to provide GP practices with the support and guidance required to offer patients online access to their detailed coded record. It is intended as a generic guide as there may be differences in the actual process according to the clinical system that the practice has in...
Dear Colleagues
Important message for Vision Practices only.
I enclose two important messages for Vision practices relating to automatic submissions via GPES using the SNOMED CT codes, which are being used within NHS Primary Care from April 2018.
Vision practices have two options, details of...
GP Level Data Collection via CQRS (SSLMCs October 2017)
Interpretation and Translation Service (SSLMCs July 2017)
Attached is a weekly update from the GPC along with a supply update.
GPC Weekly update to LMCs with a supply update
Further information on the measles outbreak across Surrey and Sussex (LMC 19.4.18)
Medicine Supply Update - November/December 2018
This report has been produced by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Medicine Supply Team and covers new issues, on-going issues, eye drops/treatments, resolved issues, vaccines and discontinuations.
National Data Opt Out (LMC May 2018)
Guidance from Dr Parker on the new GMS1 [Patient Registration] Forms
New GMS1 Forms Guidance SSLMCs October 2017
NHS England Guidance for over the counter items (SSLMCs April 2018)
Written: 20 January 2025
I am writing to all colleagues regarding the letter sent by NHS England to remind all PCNs about their 2024/25 GP in ARRS funding.
Colleagues will recall that from October 2024, the ARRS was amended and additional funding provided to allow the recruitment of GPs under...
Guidance re OTC prescribing in Primary Care (Surrey & Sussex LMCs April 2018)
Conditions for which OTC items should not routinely be prescribed (Surrey & Sussex LMCs April 2018)
Opening Hours Guidance (SSLMCs July 2017)
The PCSE June GP Bulletin contains information on the following:-
PCSE Bulletin - June 2019
PCSE Registration Guide
Patient registrations
Returning supplies
GP Pensions update
Transfer of the Cervical Screening Administration Service to the NHS
Customer Feedback
Contacting PCSE
Attached is the PCSE February GP Bulletin which covers:-
End of year pension arrangements - Deadline approaching
Type 2 Medical Practitioner 'Amnesty Form' and historical certificates for GP Providers (Type 1) and non GP Providers
PCSE GP February Bulletin PCSE February
Dear Colleagues
Performers Lists – Retirement
Please notify PCSE and NHS England of any changes to your status, contact details, retirement etc, by completing and returning the relevant forms to PCSE. This is particularly important in the case of retirement, as without the NPL3 (Change of...
Personal Injury Discount Rate (SSLMCs May 2017)
Written: 03rd December 2024
I am writing to all colleagues regarding this aspect of follow-up care for patients. The LMC has been in correspondence with your ICB regarding this issue.
The British Obesity and Metabolic Society Guidance mirrors NICE guidance (CG189) and the latter states:
1.11...
FAQS
This FAQ sheet covers:-
Access Medical Records - Fees
Blue Badge Reports
Clinical Waste Supplier
Indemnity Fees
New GP Starting - Pensions, Performers Lists etc
Overseas Patients
Staff Occupational Health
FYI I attached the latest PCSE releases on the roll-out of the long awaited new medical records collection and delivery process. Phase 3 coverage includes London and the East of England GPs.
Go Live Letter (PCSE November 2017)
PCSE New Process (PCSE November 2017)
Timetable for roll out...
As the service provided by Primary Care Support England has developed regular updates have been received and are attached below:-
Updates received 2017
PCSE Update - November
GP Payments and Pension administration - October
Administration and Changes to the National Performers Lists -...
Primary Care Support England - July 2018 Update
The items covered in this update include:-
How to notify PCSE of a change to practice details
GP payments and pensions - reminders
Coming soon: New online form for all urgent medical record requests
Planned downtime of Exeter Systems
Registering...
Pensions Admin Letter PCSE January 2019
Pension Admin Guidance Flyer PCSE January 2019
Important update for practitioners and GP practices regarding pension administration
Dear Colleague,
Annual end of year pension administration
Annual pension forms should be available to download from...
Written: 6th October 2024
We wished to highlight the need for practices to accurately record Residential Institute (RI) Codes for patients who reside in either a care home or residential home, in order to ensure an accurate Global Sum weighting is applied to such patients.
Many colleagues may...
The LMC letter contains advice relating to the issue of payment for safeguarding reports, and where necessary attendance at case conferences which has been an issue for the LMC and General Practitioners for some years, with payment arrangements across the LMC Confederation being piecemeal and...
Guidance on Using SSLMCs Template Letters for Collective Action
The Surrey and Sussex Local Medical Committees (SSLMCs) have developed these template letters to support GP practices in addressing inappropriate workload transfers and other non-contractual demands. These letters are designed to...
RCGP Position Statement - Role of the GP in caring for gender-questioning and transgender patients
The LMC receives on-going queries from GPs in terms of the role of the GP in providing care for both gender-questioning and transgender patients. There has been conflicting advice in recent...
Vaccine ordering for influenza season 2018 - 19 (SSLMCs February 2018)
Vaccine ordering for influenza season 2018 - 19 and FAQ (NHS England February 2018)
The documents attached above include a letter from the SSLMCs on vaccine ordering for the 2018 - 19 influenza season with an accompanying...
Winter Access Fund (Croydon, Kingston & Richmond)
