Salford, Stockport & Trafford LMC operates across Salford, Stockport and Trafford representing in total, around 95 Practices and 450 GPs, covering a total population of 850,000 residents. We exist solely to represent, advise and support GPs and their Practices.

For more detailed information on the work of the LMCs please see GPC - The work of the LMC in England and Wales.

LMCs vary in size and are a committee recognised by statute as the representative body for all General Practitioners and their Practices; whether GMS, PMS, principal, sessional, locum or registrar, the LMC is here for you and to represent you.

LMCs were first established in 1911 (when they were known as Local Panel Committees) and were the local representative voice of doctors. Over a hundred years later, LMCs remain the only locally elected and representative body for all General Practitioners. The LMC operates as the link between local GPs and their national negotiating body, the General Practitioners Committee (GPC). The GPC is an established and permanent Committee of the British Medical Association (BMA) and is recognised as the sole negotiating body for all NHS GPs.

The GPC is guided by policy decisions determined at the LMC Annual Conference. This is the main policy-making event where representatives from LMCs nationally debate motions which reflect local GP concerns and objectives. The LMC Conference is the body to whom the GPC is directly accountable.

Salford, Stockport and Trafford LMC provide advice and support to assist GPs and their Practices. As an independent body, we act as an advocate and offer help on all matters relevant to general practice. The following list is not exhaustive, but demonstrates some of the areas in which the LMC can advise:-

• professionally led regulation and professional standards including conduct and performance
• occupational health issues
• GP contracts
• complaints
• partnership issues
• NHS regulations / legislation
• policy from CCG, Council, NHS England, CQC or any other organisation
• CQC compliance including turnaround
• disputes between GPs and other bodies, eg CCGs, providers, other public bodies etc
• medical reports / certification
• premises / estates issues
• education and training

And if your query is outside of the LMC knowledge and expertise, we are often able to signpost you to the most appropriate person.

Since November 2019 the LMC have had a retainer agreement with LMC LAW in place who provide advice and support to the LMC and our member practices. The services offered includes;

Primary Care Networks Advice on all aspects of Primary Care Networks PCN schedules as part of the PCN network agreement, advice on structure, risk and staff sharing agreements including but not limited to contracts for the provision of clinical pharmacists, social prescribers, extended access, and any other type of service delivery. 

GP Contracts Advice on all aspects of GP Core contracts (GMS/PMS and APMS), including but not limited to: all subsidiary legislation, new amendments/updates, PMS reviews, terminations, closures, mergers and caretaking arrangements, enhanced services.  

Information Governance Advice in respect of GDPR, data protection, including but not limited to privacy notices, updates, Subject Access Requests, seminars and training, data sharing agreements, and general advice specific to healthcare. 

Corporate Commercial Advice  A robust and comprehensive service to assist federations in set up, sustainability, business management, corporate governance, internal policy, service level agreements with member practices and PCNs. They draft bespoke articles of association, and shareholder agreements, we also undertake corporate conversions to community interest companies.

Disputes and Litigation  All types of disputes (whether formal or informal) making every effort to resolve them in a practical and effective manner. They have access to experienced litigators, and arbitrators familiar with the healthcare and other commercial issues. 

*Partnership Agreements: Drafting and updates  Full partnership drafting service taking into account all new updates and clauses which reflect the relationship with the CCG and any provider arm company (at an additional cost to the partnership). Also offering reviews and addendums to existing agreements.

*Premises A robust service via their associate solicitor in respect of all commercial and NHS property work. This includes drafting and reviewing of leases, amendments, negotiation, transfers, and any other specific advice required (an additional cost may apply payable by the Practice).

In partnership with LMC Law, the LMC also offers regular seminars to members free of charge. For more details please see our events page. 

More information about LMC LAW and their services can be viewed on their website: https://lmclaw.co.uk 

In more recent years, the LMC has been invited to attend a number of meetings as a key stakeholder in Salford, Stockport and Trafford. A member of the Executive is in attendance at the below meetings on a regular basis. This allows the LMC to be at the heart of the decision making process and provides the opportunity to influence and collaborate ensuring commissioning decisions are co-produced with the maximum benefit to patients and the health and social care system, ensuring an independent voice of General Practice is represented.

On average the LMC Team collectively attend 20 meetings per week, representing GPs and their practices on approximately 70 different groups across Salford, Stockport and Trafford.

More information to follow.