A brief history – Following the introduction of the national health insurance bill (later transformed to NHS) in 1911, the BMA successfully argued that a local committees of ‘panel doctors’ should be given statutory recognition. Since then the LMC gained their statutory status and began functioning in their current format.
The following year, 1912, the BMA established a national committee to represent the combined interests of the LMCs and this group later became the General Practitioners Committee (GPC).
LMCs are the statutory bodies that represent the interests of all GPs at a local level, and as membership organisations their strength lies in their ability to represent the entirety of the profession. Sessional GPs including salaried and freelance and locum GPs, constitute an increasingly large segment of the workforce, yet sessionals are often under-represented on LMCs.
The Shropshire LMC, which used to represent both Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, is in the process of changing its name to ‘Shropshire & Telford LMC’ to better represent the area it covers.
Some of the benefits of to sessional GPs being part of the LMC include:
- Provision of up-to-date information and support on any changes that affect the way GPs work.
- Help to mediate between employers and salaried GPs.
- Support and advice on performers list issues.
- Education and career development opportunities.
- Networking opportunities.
- Giving voice to the concerns of sessional GPs arising from their clinical practice and taking up issues directly with relevant organisations.
- Providing a supportive and pastoral role if a GP has difficulties with their CCG or area team.
- Providing the opportunity to undertake GP leadership roles.
Please contact me via email if you have any issues/concerns you would like me to take to the LMC on your behalf.
Shehla Imam
simam2005@hotmail.co.uk