North Staffs LMC is:

• A democratic body elected by, and comprising, local GPs, representing the diverse interests which make up general practice locally.
• A representative body which canvasses the views of local GPs and represents them to the ICS and NHS England’s regional office and other local and national organisations and which acts as a focus for debate on GP issues.
• A body recognised in statute with rights and responsibilities defined in NHS Acts and Regulations, which serves as the local representative committee for all NHS GPs.
• A professional body concerned to promote quality and education and uphold standards of professional practice through encouragement and example in cooperation with other professional and educational bodies.
• An independent body which represents the interest of general practice alone and acts as its advocate, free of political constraints and of the need to satisfy other interests.
• A source of advice and support for all GPs in all matters affecting their professional lives and activities

What does the LMC do?

The role which North Staffs LMC undertakes can be subdivided into three broad categories:

Representative – We represent the views of GPs to a variety of bodies, most notably the ICS and NHS England’s regional office, but also to local authorities, social services, NHS Trusts, other contractor professions, patient representative bodies, MPs, national bodies such as the General Practitioners Committee of the BMA (GPC), General Medical Council (GMC), the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), and local and national media. We also undertake negotiations on behalf of our constituent GPs, individually and collectively.

Advisory – We have always striven to keep GPs informed of local and national developments, circulating guidance on local issues and initiatives, and supplementing what is available nationally, where appropriate. We also provide advice on a wide range of subjects to practices and individual GPs.

Support – We have traditionally looked after the interests of individual constituents needing advice or assistance. The support services which Nottinghamshire LMC Ltd now provides includes assistance to GPs suffering ill health, or needing help in coping with any personal crisis, helping individuals or practices respond to patient complaints, and conciliating in intra or inter practice disputes.

How is the LMC structured?

North Staffs LMC comprises up to 20 elected members, representing more than 300 GPs, plus a co-opted representative of practice managers. These GPs serve a patient population of approximately 1.1million.

What do LMC members do?

The elected members are at the heart of the LMC, and, as members of North Staffs LMC, are responsible for making policy and directing the work of the secretariat who represent and support constituents on a daily basis. They also:

• Canvass the views of local colleagues and represent them in our discussions
• Represent the LMC in committees and working groups and in commenting on NHS policy documents
• Assist and advise colleagues seeking help 
• Explain North Staffs LMC’s views and policies to constituents and raise our profile among grass roots GPs

How is the LMC funded?

The Statutory Levy

All LMCs are funded by a statutory levy. This amount is collected from practices and is based on an amount per patient. This is reviewed annually. It is currently set at 41p per patient.

This money funds the office and officers of the LMC. It also funds the representative committees with representatives being paid per attendance and reimbursed travel expenses.

The Voluntary Levy

North Staffs LMC is also funded by a voluntary levy.  Almost 100% of GP practices in North Staffs and Stoke-on -Trent pay the voluntary levy which is currently set at 10p per patient. 

The National Levy

This is a separate levy which is collected to fund the National Negotiating Committee (GPC) and the GP Defence Fund (GPDF) and supports national negotiations regarding General Practice.

This rate is set by the GPDF and is also based on an amount per patient. For more information please contact the LMC office.