Sessional GPs

 

LMC INFORMATION ON SESSIONAL GPs

 

Sessional GPs include:

 

- Salaried GPs (full and part time)

- Locum/Freelance GPs

- GP Retainers

- Flexible Career Schemes (FCS) Doctors

- GP Returners

 

Bro Taf LMC covers Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff and the Vale of Glamorgan and represents over 600 GPs in the area.  The Committee has elected and co-opted members (see the "who's who" section for full details).  Represented sessional GPs can get elected on to the Committee via the constituency seats, but we also for the time being have two designated co-opted sessional GP seats.

 

How the LMC works for sessional GPs

 

We are always working to improve the services we can provide for all our represented GPs and we are working with the new sessional GP LMC members to see what more we can specifically do for sessional GPs, but for the time being we can:

 

- give you regular updates on local and national issues through newsletters and

  direct emailings;

- give advice and support to individual sessional GPs;

- provide guidance on employment contracts;

- help ensure fair play between employers and sessional GPs;

- advise on appraisal and revalidation;

- support any sessional GP with professional difficulties (eg complaints and

  performance issues).

 

It is important to note that: The LMC is not a Trade Union and cannot operate as a Trade Union.  The LMC can support GPs in a dispute, but cannot intervene in disputes or force parties concerned to comply with advice given.  The BMA is the doctors' Trade Union, and can give expert advice to BMA Members and can intervene formally in disputes on behalf of a BMA Members or Members.  However, the BMA cannot give individual legal or financial advice.

 

Further information is available from the BMA:

 

- BMA website:  www.bma.org.uk

- Phone:  AskBMA  0300 123 1231

 

Employment Contracts

 

Since the start of the new GMS Contract in 2004, all GMS practices and LHBs are obliged to offer at least the model BMA Salaried GP Contract for all newly-appointed salaried GPs (there are severe consequences for those employers who do not).  For doctors employed before 2004, employers are encouraged to offer at least the Model Contract Terms & Conditions so that they will not face a discrimination claim.  All Salaried GPs should check their Contract to ensure that the Terms & Conditions are comparable to the Model Contract, especially the European Working Time Directive.

 

Returners, Retainers and Flexible Career Scheme doctors should also have Contract terms in line with that offered under the Model Salaried GP Contract but should also include the specific features such as educational time and specific guidance is available for these groups of doctors from the BMA.

 

If you want to find out more about the LMC or attend an LMC meeting to see what we do, please contact the LMC office (see contact page).

 

Useful guidance documents and links:

 

- Model BMA salaried employment contract for a GP employed by a Primary Care 

  Organisation (PCO) & model offer letter  click here

 

- Model BMA salaried employment contract for a GP employed by a GMS practice

  & model offer letter  click here 

 

- Link to the latest Sessional GPs Newsletter click here

 

Sessional GPs section of the BMA website  click here

 

 

GP Appraisal website (includes details of local training events as well as comprehensive information about GP appraisal).  click here

 

 

BMA guidance 'How to set up an develop a sessional GP group'  click here

(January 2012)

 

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BMA SESSIONAL GP CONFERENCE - FRIDAY 23 MARCH 2012

BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JP

 

The BMA is hosting a day-long conference - all you want to know, all you want to ask - offering expert advice on the current and future issues that will have a big impact on the working lives of locum and salaried GPs.  You will also have the opportunity to network with other Sessional doctors from across the UK.

 

Workshops and presentations will be delivered on a range of topical issues including:

 

- Pensions

- Employment rights

- Career choices

- Appraisal  and revalidation

- GP Commissioning and sessional GPs

 

Register today and find out more about the programme to secure your place at he 2012 Sessional GP Conference.

 

To register click on the green link above (register today).