GP Sub, the LMC & Beyond . . .
Hi everyone
I have been asked to write a piece on GP Sub and the LMC as the very temporary but current Chair. I don’t want to dwell on the less interesting details but give a synopsis of the setup of both.
GP Sub is a statutory committee that represents the general practice voice to the board. This serves as sub group of the Area Medical Committee which is formed of GP Sub and the Senior Medical Committee. This subsequently feeds into the Area Clinical Forum which represents all clinicians to the board.
LMC is the sub committee of the BMA and your local representation for all matters related to terms and conditions. This is supported by a Secretary along with a Chair and Vice Chair along with your local representatives voted by the GP population. These positions are filled based on a set number of places for each cluster which is weighted by population. Anyone can self-nominate. Unsurprisingly, both committees are made of the same individuals which is mirrored Scotland wide.
I have sat on both committees for some time now and have watched and been involved in a significant change in the nature of both. In the past, outside of meetings there was little extra work but boy has that changed. With the coming of the new contract and the need for local delivery came a funding stream which allowed our small LMC / Sub to form an Exec group to deliver the contract. This model is well established elsewhere and although we are late to the game, the team have certainly made up for lost time. With these changes have come challenges and benefits. It is clear that we have a much improved relationship with NHS Borders and we are starting to see the benefits from this work. This has come from a realisation that general practice has a significant amount of answers to the problems faced in secondary care. We hope to deliver soon an enhanced CTACS offering to share the load between primary and secondary care interface. Hopefully, this will improve patient care and allow a frictionless interface. NHS Borders have committed to this plan.
With the workload ever increasing most of our colleagues in Sub are involved with a work stream which is influencing future developments within care in NHS Borders. This can only be a positive development.
It is clear that this is an interesting time for anyone interested in medical politics to become involved and stand for election when a place becomes available. Now, more than ever, we are collaboratively working with colleagues in NHS Borders presenting a strong and united voice, in the best interest of General Practitioners in Borders.
Kevin Buchan (Chair)
