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WELCOME TO OUR DECEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER
This publication is sent to all Essex GP Practices via their Practice Managers. However, we encourage anyone who would like to receive this communication directly, to subscribe below.
As we come to the end of the year, we need to sit down and look back at what we have accomplished over the course of the last 12 months...
It has not been easy for us in General Practice but we can hold our heads high and celebrate our successes. The festive period affords us the well deserved break and time to spend with our families and friends and appreciate the good times.
From all at the LMC, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and trust in our organisation.
Dr V Raja
Cameron Fund Christmas Appeal and Winter Newsletter 2024
On behalf of the Cameron Fund Treasurer, Dr Simon Parkinson, we have received the Cameron Fund Christmas Appeal letter for 2024. We would be very grateful if Practice Managers could distribute the letter to all GPs at the practice.
We have also received the Cameron Fund's winter newsletter.
Guidance from PCSE for submitting 2023/24 pensions forms
NHS Pensions has now published the following pensions forms and the associated guidance:
- 2023/24 Type 1 GP (and non-GP) Providers Annual Certificate of Pensionable Profits
- 2023/24 Type 2 Medical Practitioner Self-Assessment of Tiered Contributions
The relevant form(s) must be completed by GP Pension Scheme Members who have undertaken pensionable work, between 01 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, and should be submitted to PCSE from 9 December 2024 and no later than 28 February 2025.
To meet the 28 February 2025 deadline, GP Pension Scheme Members and their representatives are advised to submit their 2023/24 Type 1 and Type 2 forms following guidance issued by PCSE.
GP Collective Action
GPC England is inviting GP partners/contractors to take at least one of nine actions with effect from 1st August 2024. Further information and the list of actions can be found at: GP partners collective action: 9 actions you can take GPC England has advised that none of the proposed actions will place GP partners/contractors in breach of their contract.
Specific guidance for Salaried and Locum GPs can be found: here
A suite of campaign materials are available from the BMA website and include a patient-facing animation that can be used on waiting room screens: GPs on your side animation
GPC England is gathering data on any actions that practices across England are taking in order to measure the impact of collective action. This “Local Action Tracker Survey” has now moved to a monthly, rather than weekly submission. No identifiable data will be gathered as part of the surveys.
Questionnaire Reminder
Earlier this year we sent out a survey seeking information on requests received by practices which constituted inappropriate transfer of work. We would like to remind you of our survey which can be found on the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/F2rMS9MLgS
We have now added a further seven questions to enable us to capture more information around the inappropriate requests that you are receiving. The LMC will use your responses in our continued discussions with ICBs as well as sharing data anonymously with other outlets, including the media.
Further information on managing inappropriate workload requests can be found on our website here: Managing Inappropriate Workload - Essex LMC
Practice Manager Supporter Scheme
The Practice Manager Supporter Scheme (PMSS) offers a dedicated support and advice service to Practice Managers/PCN Managers, recognising the unique challenges they face and helping safeguard their well-being. The supporters will be there to lend a helping hand, ensuring that Practice/PCN Managers have the resources and guidance they need to navigate the demands of their roles.
Initially set up to support Practice Managers, the scheme has been extended to offer the same support to PCN Managers. Advice, support, and peer to peer Personal Development Reviews are available for new, experienced and assistant/ deputy practice managers and PCN Managers in Essex. All interactions are treated with the utmost confidentiality. The information you share with your chosen supporter remains strictly between you and them.
There are six Practice Managers and one PCN Manager Supporter, who are actively working across different regions of the county. Practice/PCN Managers can benefit from this scheme without any associated costs. Our website provides further information and guidance on how to contact a Supporter.
GP Practice Workforce Data
Using data from NHS Digital, we now provide workforce data for Essex GP Practices, and male/female GP ratio documents, both commencing from November 2022.
Do you need help with PCSE cases?
Have you waited for more than 40 days for a response from PCSE for a case raised with them? Are you experiencing financial hardship as a result? Or, is there a risk to patient safety? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then the LMC can help you.
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