WELCOME TO OUR DECEMBER 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. 

The months leading up to Christmas have been challenging to say the least. Everyone of you has sacrificed precious time that one could have spent with one's near and dear ones.

Instead, you chose to dedicate long hours caring for your patients and making their lives more comfortable than your own. Your professionalism, compassion and unwavering commitment are recognised by all including our patients.

May the festive period give you time to spend with your family and friends whilst you reflect on how you made thousands of lives better during the year.

I take this opportunity on behalf of Essex LMCs to thank you personally for your work and also in wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dr V Raja

Cameron Fund Winter Newsletter and Christmas Appeal

The Cameron Fund have now issued their winter newsletter.

Also, on behalf of the Cameron Fund Treasurer, Dr Simon Parkinson, we have received the Cameron Fund Christmas Appeal letter for 2025.

We would be very grateful if Practice Managers could distribute these documents to all GPs at the practice.

LMC Portal Update

Thank you to all those who have registered on the portal.  We have seen a significant increase in registrations, but in order for the data to be as comprehensive as possible, we require all Practice/PCN Managers and GPs working in Essex to register.

More than 40% of Practice Managers have not yet registered as a Practice Lead Contact, and in the case of practices whose managers have registered and reviewed their GP data, a significant number of GPs have not accepted the invitation to register.

Elections will be taking place across Essex in early 2026.  Only GPs registered on the portal will be eligible to participate in the nomination and election process.  The nomination process will commence in January -  please look out for e-mails from the LMC office with further information on submitting nominations and ensure that these are shared with all GPs working at your practice.

Actions for Practice Managers

1)      If you have not yet registered, please do so here 

Once registered, you will be prompted to visit the GP Management Dashboard where you can review the GP data held for your practice.  We will be e-mailing all those that have not yet registered with instructions on how to add/remove GPs.

2)      If you have registered but have not reviewed your GP data, please do so here

Actions for GPs – Don’t Lose your Right to Vote! 

1)      If you have not already done so, please register here

If you have any questions or difficulties registering, please contact us on 01245 383430 or e-mail  the LMC office 

Practice Manager Supporter Scheme

Support for Practice & PCN Managers in Essex: You’re Not Alone!

The Practice Manager Supporter Scheme (PMSS)

Offering free, confidential support for:

• Practice Managers
• PCN Managers
• Deputy & Assistant Managers

What You’ll Get:

• One-to-one support from experienced managers
• Peer-to-peer Personal Development Reviews (PDRs)
• Guidance tailored to your role
• A safe, confidential space to share
• Advice from people who understand your challenges

Your Supporters

A team of 5 Practice Managers and 1 PCN Manager, actively working across Essex, ready to support you wherever you’re based.

100% Confidential | 100% Free

Everything you share stays between you and your chosen supporter. No judgement. No pressure. Just practical support and encouragement when you need it most.

DVLA Professional Fees To Increase

Following months of negotiations with the DVLA, the Professional Fees Committee (PFC) is pleased to inform that they have accepted the below offer with the DVLA:

1. Effective 1 January 2026:
•    The Standard questionnaire will rise to £50, harmonising both GP and consultant fees at this figure.
•    This rate will apply until 31 March 2026

2. Effective 1 April 2026:
•    The Standard questionnaire for both GP and consultant fees will increase to a rate of £62.50.

3. Effective 1 April 2027 and 1 April 2028:
•    An annual uplift will apply in line with CPI inflation (measured in the previous September) to the Standard questionnaire fee, capped at 5%.
•    Should inflation exceed 5%, a review and agreement on the fee uplift will be required.

4. The PFC would like to encourage members to ensure that all completed forms are returned to DVLA within 4-6 weeks.

This fee increase is a recognition of the fact the level of professional fees payable to doctors by the DVLA were no longer economic and had not increased since 2012. Furthermore, as this type of work is a non-NHS service and their completion is not part of the NHS contracts of employment, it was made clear that the fee for the work must cover the cost of provision and procurement of service as well as reward for effort, skill and responsibility.

In light of comprehensive guidance received from economic and statistical experts, the committee agreed to adopt a measure in fee negotiations that would be both seen as credible by the government and easy to understand by members. The committee agreed to adopt the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as the measure to use to uplift figures since the last rise. The £62.50 fee is CPI added to the last fee agreed in 2012. The PFC is also pleased that there will not be any disparity between the rates for consultants and GPs.

The LMC recognises that this system is particularly time‑consuming and has been the subject of national attention. We are hopeful that updates to payment arrangements will be introduced in due course.

The NHS Access and Store Digital Patient Documents Service

Have your paper records scanned and stored in the National Document Repository. Transform your practice into a more efficient, cost-effective and safe environment for patient record management using the free 2025 HSJ Award shortlisted storage solution.

How the Service Works for You

• Easy Access: Practice staff (clinicians and administrators) can sign in using their NHS Smartcard.

• Instant Search: Quickly search by NHS Number and instantly view the record.

• Reduced Paper Flow: Records do not need to be moved or printed.

• Loss Prevention: Cut the risk of losing important patient information from a paper record.

Your next steps to realising these savings:

1. Digitise: Ensure your records are scanned to the national standard and transferred into the service (No size or quality/colour limitations). Contact commercial.procurementhub@nhs.net

2. Access: Once digitised and stored in the NDR, practice staff can access records instantly.

More information: https://digital.nhs.uk/services/access-and-store-digital-patient-documents

Workplace Health, Done Right

Part of the Essex Wellbeing Service, Working Well provides Essex businesses (excluding Southend-On-Sea and Thurrock) with free workplace health and wellbeing support. Commissioned and funded by Essex County Council - there’s a programme to suit every organisation!

Including:

• Mental Health Aware Programme • Business Park Wellbeing Programme • Small Business Workplace Wellbeing Award • Working Well Accreditation • MHFA England Training

The health and wellbeing of your workforce is of paramount priority.

On offer is a range of events, training and support:

• Free adult Mental Health First Aid England Training • Online and eLearning training • Anonymous Staff Health and Wellbeing Needs Analysis • Guest speaker sessions • Virtual Walking Challenges • Apprenticeship Growth Programme • Support to achieve the Workplace Health and Wellbeing Accreditation

Plus...Menopause, Men’s Health, Financial Wellness, Mindfulness, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Bereavement, Problem Gambling... and much more.

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.

GP Practice Workforce Data

Using data from NHS Digital, we now provide monthly workforce data for Essex GP Practices, Male/Female GP Ratios, and GP Ethnicity documents. 

Essex LMCs on Social Media

Please remember to follow us on Facebook and/or 'X', and connect with us on LinkedIn to keep up-to-date with our latest news.

Please click on any of the icons below to connect with us on your preferred platform(s).