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Letter to all annual conference representatives

18 March 2005

Our Ref: Rep Letter 1 - 2005

Dear Representative,

Conference of Representatives of Local Medical Committees 2005

This year’s conference will be held on 16 and 17 June. As Local Medical Committees (LMCs) prepare to consider possible motions I want to bring you up to date with the Agenda Committee’s preparation for this annual summation of the General Practitioners Committee’s (GPC’s) medico-political year.

The past twelve months have seen momentous changes in general practice with the implementation of the new General Medical Services (GMS) contract, the change from Personal Medical Services (PMS) pilots to permanent PMS agreements and the development of Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS).

Over the past few years conference has been dominated by problems with general practice and the negotiating process and the outcome of those negotiations. It would be quite wrong to say that all is now well with general practice and such issues do not require debate, however, the sea change in the contractual framework has given the agenda committee a unique opportunity to develop Conference into a body able to conduct mature debates on issues rather than just be obsessed with the processing of motions. There are also a number of suitable emerging themes for such an approach.

In 2004 the conference arrangements were expanded to add Themed and Topical Issues debates to the existing Subject debates. The less formal aspects of conference also include a question time for the negotiating team and the Soapbox session for members to raise new ideas; both of these will continue this year.

In 2005 the agenda committee intend to increase the number of structured debates, especially those introduced by an “expert” and which encourage informal, rather than pre-prepared, contributions from the floor. This will allow Conference to become more accessible to new and less confident members, but will also allow formal policy to be made, especially in areas of principle.

The Agenda Committee has consulted with LMCs and after careful consideration has determined a number of issues as suitable for structured debates.

Three Themed Debates will be held:

- Confidentiality in the IT age
- Professional Development of Future GPs
- The Future of General Practice

These debates are in two parts. On the first day of conference there will be an introduction by an invited speaker followed by informal debate. For the remainder of that day there will be an opportunity to submit new business on the theme, a selection of new motions will then be debated on the afternoon of the second day.

We propose to hold one Topical Issue debate. As we hope this to be as topical as possible no final decision on a motion has yet been made. The debate will comprise one speaker proposing the motion; another opposing it followed by contributions from the floor and finally prior to the vote there will be a summing up by the opening speakers.

I am sure many of you will be surprised that the pensions review is not included in this list; this is deliberate as the Agenda Committee believes that Themed and Topical Issues debates are not a suitable mechanism for consideration of issues of detail and we anticipate that a substantial block of time will be required for debate. Depending on the material submitted, this may take the form of one or more Subject debates.

Representatives may also be concerned that these changes will result in fewer traditional motions being passed. Whist this is true, it will enable the Conference to give the GPC a clearer steer on wider policy issues and enable more representatives to get their views heard. I have always firmly opposed any restriction on the number of motions which an LMC may submit, and will continue to do so, whilst encouraging LMCs to use other mechanisms of influence and being heard which may be even more effective, especially for matters of detail rather than principle.

LMCs submitting motions which are not reached may submit written memorandums to the GPC by the end of September, these are considered by the appropriate subcommittee; similarly LMCs with views on any matter may ask their regional representative to use their right to seek a debate or propose a motion at the regular GPC meetings; LMCs may also submit arguments to be considered by a subcommittee either at its meeting or through the subcommittee list server.

I look forward to meeting you in June both at the conference, and I hope also the dinner at which Niall Dickson, the Chief Executive of the Kings’ Fund, and former BBC Health correspondent, will be the guest speaker.

Yours faithfully,


John Canning
Chairman of Conference of Representatives of LMCs