WELCOME TO OUR FEBRUARY 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. 

Succession/retirement planning webinar: What to do with your premises?

BW Healthcare Surveyors will be delivering a webinar on behalf of Essex LMCs at 1:00pm on Tuesday 16th April 2024.  The webinar is free to attend and there will be an opportunity for Q&As following the presentation.  To register please follow this link.

Details from BW Healthcare Surveyors:

Have you ever considered whether a sale and leaseback transaction would resolve your succession planning issues? Or if putting a lease in place between the retired GP’s and the existing partnership would be a better option?

This webinar will be performed by an expert speaker in the field of primary care who is involved with supporting practices with all their premises related issues nationwide.

They will explore the main premises options to consider when beginning GP practice succession and retirement planning; how to avoid common costly pitfalls and how a robust succession plan can even help alleviate partnership recruitment problems.

When you consider a significant proportion of GP Partners are within five years of the average retirement age of 58, putting a succession plan in place has never been so important.

LMC Elections 2024

Nomination letters and forms were e-mailed to practices in the following constituencies, and to GPs that had provided their details, on 23 January 2024:

North Essex                                                    South Essex

Colchester                                                       Basildon                                                         

Epping                                                             Billericay, Brentwood & Wickford

Tendring                                                          Thurrock                                                         

The closing date for nominations was 23 February 2024.  As the number of nominations received in each of the constituencies did not exceed the places available, elections will not be required and members have therefore been elected unopposed as outlined on our website.

2022/23 End of Year Pensions Process 

NHS Pensions will shortly be publishing the 2022/23 Type 1 Annual Assessment of Pensionable Profit and Type 2 Medical Practitioner Self- Assessment forms, along with guidance notes here.

New submission deadline

NHS Pensions have extended the deadline for Pension Scheme Members to submit their 2022/23 end of year pension forms. The new deadline for submission of the 2022/23 Type 1 and Type 2 certificates is now 31 March 2024.

Our website has been updated with details of webinars that you can attend for guidance as to how to complete your 2022/23 certificates.

RCGP Veteran Friendly Accreditation Programme

The LMC has previously shared with practices details of the RCGP Veteran Friendly GP Practice Accreditation Programme which aims to improve the identification and coding of veterans, reservists and service families registered with NHS GPs and increase understanding of their health requirements.  You may have seen TV coverage on BBC News last week which highlighted the importance of the programme.

We are pleased to report that Essex has met the aspiration to have at least one Veteran Friendly Accredited practice in each PCN area.  If your practice has not yet joined the programme and would like further details, please visit either the RCGP website: Veterans' healthcare toolkit: Veteran friendly GP practice accreditation | RCGP Learning or the LMC website: Veteran Friendly GP Practice - Essex LMC

Thank you to all those practices that are already participating in this worthwhile programme. 

Practice Manager Supporter Scheme

The Practice Manage 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 Practice Manager 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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