Latest News

QOF rules 2008 - 08 Apr 2008

the extra hours vote means some points are to be deducted and this paper details how the remainder are allocated this year - click here for more details

Improving communication about patients between doctors - 08 Apr 2008

This joint paper produced by the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) and the Central Consultants and Specialists Committee (CCSC) offers a number of suggestions to improve two-way communication between primary and secondary care practitioners, for the benefit of patientsexchange of information and patient care. Suggested guidelines for secondary care doctors and GPs - click here for more details

PBC 2008-9 Round - GPC Guidance - 01 Feb 2008

Here we go again, will this year be the year PBC actually happens in Norfolk ? Whilst the LMC isn't holding its breath, this GPC guidance is a useful resource, just in case - click here for more details

Disputes with PCTs - Guidance for GPs - 01 Feb 2008

This recent GPC guidance hopefully won't be read that often, but PMS reviews and extended hours may be potential examples - click here for more details

The dual role of GPs as provider and commissioner under PBC - GPC guidance - 01 Feb 2008

Just in case something does get off the ground and GPs are actually involved in both facets of PBC, we have to ensure probity obviously, and this GPC guidance is a useful reference - click here for more details

NHS - Private Interface BMA Guidance - 06 Dec 2007

We've spotted a 2004 document which gives very sound and clear guidance on the issues around GPs and referring privately and whether patients should be charged for related items of service - click here for more details

Focus on Salaried GPs - 19 Oct 2007

Revised guidance from the GPC on salaried GPs' terms and conditions - click here for more details

Accepting Donations from Patients - GPC Guidance - 01 Aug 2007

This is an area which is governed by both contractual and ethical perspectives. Both emphasise the need for transparency and accountability when considering accepting donations from patients. - click here for more details

Patient choice and GP availability DES - 01 Aug 2007

So you thought the old Red Book was complicated ? Try this 27 page amendment to the SFE. - click here for more details

Reviewing PMS Contracts - GPC Guidance - 16 Apr 2007

There are an increasing number of cases of PCTs threatening PMS practices’ budgets under the guise of not providing 'value for money' or because they claim to be “reconfiguring” primary care. This includes PCTs seeking to renegotiate aspects of PMS contracts to extract sums from the baseline and setting new targets and expectations. If practices do not comply with these changes, PCTs are threatening to terminate contracts and proposing to offer ‘new’ contracts - click here for more details

GP Contracts - guidance notes - 16 Apr 2007

We've posted some detailed guidance notes relating to GP and primary care contracts - this link to the web page - click here for more details

NorfolkGP website - 27 Mar 2007

The local GP tutors have set up an educational website. It has been set up to help you see what educational activities are available for general practitioners in Norfolk. There are links to other educational providers and to other sites that they have found helpful. There is also a link posted on our links page - click here for more details

Practice Based Commissioning 2007 - 08 - 27 Mar 2007

Meanwhile, outside Norfolk PCT, the rest of the country moves on. The GPC has produced useful guidance on the 2007-2008 PBC round. The latest 2 guidance notes are posted on our PBC webpage - click here for more details

Important New Guidance for QOF - 01 Mar 2007

The GPC has issued new guidance notes for the QMAS system, Read Code issues and QOF payments - click here for more details

Collaborative Arrangements - Practices to set their own fees - 16 Jan 2007

The Professional Fees Committee has drafted this guidance as a result of the DDRBs recommendation and seeks to clarify doctors’ fee arrangements, superannuation and obligations under the collaborative arrangements, as well as the situation on family planning and sessional work. - click here for more details

Charging Patients for Private services - 13 Jan 2007

Belated, but largely unwelcome (no, daft actually) clarification on when patients may receive non NHS services from their GP - click here for more details

GPs earn too much - 12 Jan 2007

Ill-informed and vitriolic kicking of GPs by that esteemed newspaper The Independent. So many inconsistencies and inaccuracies - can you count them all ? - click here for more details

Guidance on negotiating locum rates - 09 Jan 2007

The BMA has produced updated guidance on locum rates. There is also a handy Excel spreadsheet to download for locums to calculate their costs from the BMA website at www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/locum (wish I had that in my day - webmaster) - click here for more details

Pensions Dynamisation - 08 Jan 2007

Most GPs will now be aware that the Secretary of State has announced her intention to limit the dynamising factor (DF), used to uprate GPs’ pensionable earnings for the period 2003-2006. This GPC FAQ sheet explains it all - click here for more details

NPfIT - Streamlining NHS Patient's records - or Free access for all ? - 06 Dec 2006

It looks as if pilots will actually start next year, and our patients will want to know more. Do we say it's a marvellous idea or worry about confidentiality and misuse of clinical data. We have a new file for links and resources on this subject - click here for more details

GP Pay and Expenses Enquiry - 06 Dec 2006

The Information Centre has produced a report on GP earnings in 2004/5 and gained some press attention. Read it for yourself. - click here for more details

Practice Based Commissioning - Practical Guidance - 05 Dec 2006

A 34 page guidance document and a FAQs sheet have been issued. This is important guidance for all GPs concerned with local commissioning groups - click here for more details

Norfolk PCT's plans to claw back £50million - 20 Nov 2006

The gloves are off now. Through no fault of our own, the PCT is targeting GPs and primary care to try and redress the deficit that previous PCTs and the old Health Authority never got under control. The LMC will fight this all the way where it means cuts to practice funding. We think this will be a bigger deal than pre-new contract days. We have a new web page devoted to this - stay in touch with what's going on. - click here for more details

Exception reporting guidance 2006-07 - 01 Nov 2006

Joint BMA / NHS Confederation paper outlining the do's and don'ts of exception reporting for the QoF. Fairly obvious stuff mainly. - click here for more details

NHS Computerised Notes - Public Disquiet - 01 Nov 2006

Not just GPs are concerned about the proposed National Spine to which all GPs' notes and records will be linked and stored. The Gruniad is on the case as well... - click here for more details

GP Returners - New Guidance - 25 Oct 2006

The Returners scheme was an excellent mechanism for encouraging qualified GPs (particularly those who had taken a career break for family reasons) back to work.Unfortunately, the funding for the GP returners’ scheme has been withdrawn by the English Department of Health. - click here for more details

Dental services out of hours - 07 Jul 2006

PCTs have now taken over this responsibility and the service has been affected. We have written a briefing note pending clarification of what apears to be an unsatisfactory situation - click here for more details

Flu- Don't panic - 07 Jul 2006

Sound advice for GPs preparing for the flu pandemic. The BMA and the GPC have it sorted, this link to their web page - click here for more details

PBC; Agreeing terms with the PCT. GPC Guidance - 07 Jul 2006

GPC has issued guidance about the commissioning plan which will form the basis of a practice/consortium’s PBC agreement with the PCT. It is likely to be subject to continual development as the commissioning role progresses. - click here for more details

The Suspended GP Performer - GPC Guidance - 09 May 2006

This guidance seeks to provide LMCs and GPs with authoritative guidance on the implications for, and actions required by, a suspended GP performer. Primary medical service providers may be affected by suspension either by being a suspended doctor within a partnership, by being a suspended sole practitioner, by having a suspended doctor as one of the partners or by being an employer of a suspended doctor. The principles underlying the actions are the same in all cases. - click here for more details

Focus on salaried GPs - GPC Guidance - 27 Apr 2006

This guidance note has been produced by the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) to help Local Medical Committees (LMCs), GPs, practice managers and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) understand the new model terms and conditions for salaried GPs, which came into effect under the new General Medical Services (nGMS) contract, and replaces similar guidance issued in 2004. The Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body's (DDRB’s) suggested range for 2005/2006 is £49,248 to £74,816 for full-time salaried GPs (an overall uplift of 3.225% on the 2004/05 figures) - click here for more details

PBC - Working in Consortiums; GPC Guidance - 17 Apr 2006

Although an individual practice can take on the commissioning role alone, there is an assumption that the majority of PBC activity will be undertaken through collaboration with other local practices, via PBC consortia. - click here for more details

NHS LIFT - GPC Guidance - 11 Apr 2006

This guidance is aimed at General Practitioners who are considering entering into occupation of premises built or refurbished under an NHS LIFT Project. This guidance provides an overview of how NHS LIFT operates and suggests various aspects of LIFT schemes that GPs should consider fully before agreeing to participate in any LIFT Project - click here for more details

Patient Transport - Practices don't have to get involved - 11 Apr 2006

John Wayne is Dead - Long live John Wayne. Arranging patient transport is not an Essential Service and if PCTs want GP practices to do it, an enhanced service needs to be commissioned. Otherwise it's the responsibility of the PCT. Unambiguous GPC guidance here. - click here for more details

Private Complementary Practitioners - GPs shouldn't "refer" - 11 Apr 2006

This excellent GPC guidance clarifies the areas of referral responsibilities for GPs, and distinguishes that from "delegation". Referral to complementary therapists should not therefore be considered a contractual requirement - click here for more details

Three new guidance papers - 11 Apr 2006

We've had 3 new notes - all very helpful. GPs may resist pressure to refer to complementary private therapists or arrange patient transport. Also the low-down on NHS LIFT - click here for more details

New GMS Contract - QOF Implementation: Business Rules - 10 Apr 2006

The business rules on this site are for use with the revised QOF which came into operation on 1 April 2006. This is the officially published version and should be used for all matters relating to the technical requirements for correctly recording QOF information on the new, revised and unchanged indicators. - click here for more details

Proposal for GP Systems of Choice (GPSoC) - Briefing for the NHS - 26 Mar 2006

The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of the GP Systems of Choice (GPSoC) scheme, currently under consideration by the Department of Health. GPSoC has been developed with strong input from GPs, via the NHS Connecting for Health primary care clinical leads. Subject to agreement with GP system providers and funding approval, GPSoC will become the basis on which primary care trusts (PCTs) will continue to support provision of clinical IT systems for GPs. - click here for more details

Focus on.. Access 06-07 - 26 Mar 2006

Improving access to primary care is one of the Government’s major policy objectives at the moment, as it sees this as a key to tackling health inequalities. It is a policy being enforced not just from the Department of Health, but directly from the Prime Minister. This guidance note has been produced by the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) to help GPs and Local Medical Committees (LMCs) understand the changes and developments that have been made to the GMS contract for 2006/07. - click here for more details

GP Contracts - Main changes for 2006 -07 - 13 Mar 2006

This guidance note has been produced by the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) to help GPs and Local Medical Committees (LMCs) understand the changes and developments that have been made to the GMS contract for 2006/07. Key elements are the revised QOF, DES's for C&B and PBC, VAT implementation for dispensing GPs, and the Patient Experience Surveys. (The whole document is also posted in the GP Contract page) - click here for more details

DES for Choose and Book - GPC guidance - 13 Mar 2006

This DES is for one year and is available in England only. Total investment in this DES is worth £50million. It is designed to provide incentives to GPs to offer choice and utilise the electronic National Choose and Book system. - click here for more details

Dispensing GPs and VAT registration - 13 Mar 2006

Department of Health will, from 1 April 2006, no longer pay an allowance to cover the VAT payable on purchases of drugs, appliances and containers (hereinafter referred to as a “VAT allowance”) to those DDs who are not registered for VAT - click here for more details

Increasing List Size - Financial Implications. - 13 Mar 2006

This guidance is designed to advise practices facing the possibility of a large increase in list size. This may be voluntary, where, for example, there is a steady increase in the population in the practice area and where the practice agrees to planned growth in order to accommodate the increased population. In other cases it may be involuntary, for instance when the practice does not wish to expand but finds that there is no alternative provision within the Primary Care Organisation (PCO). - click here for more details

Legal Advice for Consortia of Practices embarking on PBC - 13 Mar 2006

Lockhart's (The BMA's Solicitors) has produced some legal guidance and an offer to consortia to provide legally binding agreements between all parties. - click here for more details

Directed Enhanced Service for PBC preparation - GPC guidance - 28 Feb 2006

Our new PBC resource file on this site continues to grow, this is the latest paper we have received. GPs really need to get up to speed on this - it's going to happen and we need to get involved so as not to get sold short by PCTs. - click here for more details

Referral Management Schemes - Guidance - 21 Feb 2006

There is currently considerable concern about referral management and related organisational arrangements. Models of referral management vary across the UK but triage or diversion of GP referrals appears to be increasingly common, often accompanied by inadequate consultation with LMCs. The GPC has issued FAQs sheet about this controversial area. It also includes a model letter to the Director of Public Health regarding delayed or returned referrals and referral information for patients with a suggested item for the practice leaflet - click here for more details

QOF - the new rules from April 2006 - 20 Feb 2006

Beware - goalposts have been moved for the 1st QOF revision, applicable from 1/4/06. Full GPC guidance available. - click here for more details

Practice Based Commissioning - A New Resource Page - 09 Feb 2006

This subject is going to be the biggest topic for GPs since the new contract. Our new resource page contains all the latest guidance and info. For example - today we have posted the new "Early Wins and Top Tips" - a pretty good beginer's guide to how PBC can become reality. - click here for more details

Partnership Agreements - Revised GPC Guidance - 09 Feb 2006

This vital document replaces the existing guidance in the light of the changes required to partnership agreements following the evolution of PMS and new GMS - click here for more details

Official advice to dentists about Warfarin - 02 Feb 2006

Perenially bugged by dentists for advice about patients on warfarin ? Well, the LDC has issued guidance to its own, and GPs should only henceforward hear about patients whose INRs are too low or too high. Here's the evidence.... - click here for more details

Practice Based Commissioning - It's getting closer - 26 Jan 2006

Long - awaited DoH guidance on how it's actually going to work. View the document "Practice based commissioning: achieving universal coverage" with this link; there's other details about how the budgets are being worked out on the DoH website; www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/OrganisationPolicy/Commissioning/PracticeBasedCommissioning/PracticeBasedCommissioningArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4127123&chk=CU%2Bwae - click here for more details

Latest TAG recommendations - 25 Jan 2006

The Therapeutics Advisory Group has released the latest list of all drugs which are subject to Green, Amber or Red traffic lights. This link is to the summary, for the complete detailed list go to Resources >Good Medical Practice>Clinical and Prescribing Guidelines > The Norfolk and Waveney Therapeutics Advisary Group. - click here for more details

Allergy recording in clinical records - GPC guidance - 23 Jan 2006

Advice on allergy recording in GP clinical systems was supported by the GPC. This has been developed following discussions and consultation with the GP2GP team, system user group suppliers and the GPC’s legal advisor to highlight the importance of correctly Read coding diagnoses within the patient record, so that the accurate translation of information from one system to another can potentially take place - click here for more details

New Guidance on Managing Dental presentations - 22 Dec 2005

Before refusing to treat a patient asking for emergency dental treatment, a GP must ascertain that the condition requires only dental treatment. As always, GPs must put themselves in a proper position to judge the nature of the patient's condition by undertaking reasonable enquiries. This thorny issue is given a complete update by this recent GPC guidance - click here for more details

Agenda For Change - GPC Guidance - 22 Dec 2005

This guidance gives an overview of the aims of Agenda for Change and the implications for GP practices. It also sets out the action that LMCs and practices may wish to take. - click here for more details

Jury Service - Do GPs have to turn up ? - 22 Dec 2005

As medical practitioners, you may receive a jury summons at any time. You are not eligible to serve in certain circumstances although for doctors this usually only applies to those aged over 70 who are not eligible to serve. This guidance clarifies the issues. - click here for more details

New Partnership Deed Offer - 24 Oct 2005

Lockharts, the BMA's solicitors estimate that 50% of all partnership agreements are flawed since the introduction of nGMS, PMS, and new superannuation rules. Getting it wrong can prove expensive if partnerships split or disagree, or even fall out with the PCT. Lockharts have a special offer service which will look at your partnership deed and make sure it is legally watertight and future-proof - click here for more details

New GPC guidance on Hepatitis B jabs - 10 Sep 2005

In the absence of clear guidance from the centre, Norfolk LMC has always been cautious when advising about GPs' responsibilities for prescribing and monitoring Hepatitis B immunisation for occupational health purposes. We are delighted to say that the BMA has now committed itself and that at long last we have central guidance for the profession. The guidance is more radical than the LMC officers expected but has been through the GPC and its lawyers so should be definitive; we suggest you read it very carefully. In essence it looks as though practices should no longer feel that they have to carry out this immunisation for occupational health purposes. The guidance includes a helpful template letter for patients who request > Hep B vaccination - with luck this will stop them getting through to GPs and practice nurses - who find it very hard to say "no" - click here for more details

Revised Guidance on the Freedom of information Act - 10 Sep 2005

The GPC FAQ sheet about the FOI Act was revised in August - click here for more details

Focus on community hosital GPs - 05 Aug 2005

GPs working in community hospitals are employed on a number of different types of contract, with different terms and conditions, and payment methods. There is one common theme to all of these, which is that the remuneration package is inadequate. This extensive GPC guidance covers the issues fully - click here for more details

Pensionable Earnings - Accountancy issues - 05 Aug 2005

This guidance has been prepared on behalf of the BMA’s Pensions Department and the General Practitioners Committee by Kingston Smith, Chartered Accountants, in response to common queries received from GPs and their accountants on the new arrangements for assessing GP pensionable earnings. It is intended primarily for GPs’ accountants for them then to discuss the arrangements with their GP clients. The guidance follows the GPC’s guidance on the new arrangements “Focus on assessment of GPs’ pensionable earnings” issued earlier this year. - click here for more details

Claiming Final PGEA payments - 25 Jun 2005

The GPC has issued guidance on claiming for PGEA payments which would have been payable in arrears had the new contract not been introduced, and would relate to PGE done PRIOR to 1990-91. - click here for more details

Website Spring Clean-up - 23 May 2005

The website has had a sort - out ! Links have been checked, resources updated and re-filed to make finding what you need easier, and old stuff has been deleted. If you find something doesn't work still, or is out of date please contact us ! - click here for more details

STATEMENT ON PMS UPLIFT FOR 2005/06 - 01 Apr 2005

Certain payments to PMS practices that are covered by legislation have been uplifted by 3.225% in line with the same items in the GMS Statement of Financial Entitlements. These are covered by the Personal Medical Services Agreements (Payments for Specific Purposes) Directions 2005, where the conditions are set out in full. - click here for more details

TAG recommendations - summary - 02 Dec 2004

Very helpful document which lists all medications needing clarfication over whether they are prescribable by GPs, are shared, or are hospital only - click here for more details

NPfIT Guidance from the GPC - 30 Apr 2004

Accenture is coming ! GPs will be aware of the NHS National Programme for IT in England, which has ambitious plans to modernise IT in the NHS in order to improve the quality of care delivered to patients and the working lives of frontline staff. - click here for more details

READ Codes for the QOF - useful FAQs - 14 Jan 2004

The GPC has issued a very helpful list of FAQs about the Quality Framework and the use of the READ codes. Read on-line or print off. - click here for more details

Cremation forms - changes - 07 Jan 2004

The government is starting to make changes to the way that Forms 1 and 2 are completed, originally proposed in the review of the Coroner's services last year. This link is to some guidance issued by Wessex LMC, and the Dept of Health - click here for more details