LLR LMC Ballot discussion - 11th November 21
Email sent to LLR LMC Members on 4th November
Dear Colleague,
We are writing further to our recent communication to practices on 29th October, entitled ‘Recent communication and actions from GPC re. NHSEI and government’s plan for general practice’ to invite you to a meeting to discuss the issues.
The LMC will be holding a lunchtime discussion between LMC, Practices and Dr Farah Jameel (GPC, Executive) to discuss the NHS Executive’s document “Our plan for improving access for patients and supporting general practice,” and the BMA’s response, including the indicative ballot and proposal for Industrial Action (IA).
Details:
- Thursday 11th November 2021
- Time: 1.30-2.30pm
- Teams link available by confirming your attendance to enquiries@llrlmc.co.uk
What does it mean? Do you have enough information to make an informed decision?
We appreciate this is hugely controversial and not a step any of us in general practice want to take; we want sufficient staff who are able to provide high quality patient care to all who need it. However, this plan is the final straw for a profession that is being broken by NHSE and a Secretary of State that shows utter contempt for general practice. That same SoS who appears to prioritise bullying, coercion and media manipulation above quality patient care and the wellbeing of staff. It remains our belief that on the back of years of underfunding, unrelenting increasing workload pressures and a diminishing workforce this plan does nothing but harm you and our patients.
WHY HAS IT COME TO BALLOTING ON INDUSTRIAL ACTION (IA)?
For industrial action (IA) there needs to be a trade dispute. Simply put the GPC feel that all avenues of meaningful dialogue have been exhausted and NHSE/SoS are simply refusing to listen and are instead continuing with their harmful anti-GP, media-fuelled plans. A formal dispute with the SoS/NHSE is therefore now possible given the conditions that general practice is currently working under. IA includes both striking (which is NOT being proposed) and contract breaches. The latter is what has been concentrated on, and moreover breaching or withdrawing from parts of contracts which should NOT HARM PATIENT CARE.
Although the GP Pay Transparency and the PCN DES may seem odd areas to highlight as a dispute to some, these are the areas whereby dispute is possible without direct patient harm, or harm to our colleagues in secondary care who are similarly working flat out. The BMA, as our Trade Union, is the only organisation that can call for IA and support those workers who take IA. The LMC is not a trade union. Our responsibility is to inform, collate your views and support practices and PCNs in their decision making. We cannot, nor will we call for IA.
WHAT NOW?
Whatever your views are on the nature of any action, from what we are hearing, there is a huge amount of agreement that the Support Plan is not fair, not safe and will harm practices and staff and introduce further inequality.
We hope Practices will feel supported by the LMC to focus their attention on what is best for patients and practice teams.
Whilst appraising our advice, please consider:
- The contents of the plan are not contractually binding, and this includes the performance management aspects.
- You are free to ignore any parts of the plan which you feel will not support the delivery of safe and effective care for your patients.
- The terms of your contract state that you must “meet the reasonable needs of your patients” in ways “which are delivered in the manner determined by the contractor’s practice in discussion with the patient.”
- Practices should protect the welfare, safety, health, and security of their staff and take a zero tolerance to abuse approach.
THE ASK FROM YOUR LMC
- As per the BMA, it is our advice to you that we as LLR practices, PCNs and LMC unite and do not engage with any local or national planning or communication with regard to the Support plan.
- Please ensure at least one partner from your practice attends the session next Thursday 11th November.
- Please ensure that one BMA member within your practice votes in the BMA’s indicative ballot.
- We need to hear from you, our constituents about the Support Plan and the latest update from the BMA, so we can appropriately represent your views.
Please contact us on enquiries@llrlmc.co.uk for a meeting invite to the session.