The LMC represents all practitioners providing care in the primary sector who wish to be represented. Since the 1999 NHS Act this includes GMS and PMS Principals and all Non-Principals be they Assistants, Associates, Retainees, Locums or Salaried GPs.  The LMC represents and advises on all matters concerning GPs such as:

• Education and training - undergraduate, postgraduate and vocational training, continuing professional development
  
  
• Professionally-led regulation and professional standards - ethical, conduct and performance, including clinical governance
  
  
• Liaison with consultant and hospital colleagues
  
  
• Collaboration with national professional bodies - British Medical Association
  
  
• Liaison with LPC and LDC

Local representation

Members are elected on a four-year service basis. Elections take place regularly under terms stipulated in the LMC constitution. The last election took place in May 2005. Existing Members of the Committee may be re-nominated, provided they agree. Elections take place every two years.

The LMC comprises 32 GPs from two constituencies:

• 10 GPs representing Barking and Dagenham
• 15 GPs representing Havering
• 7 Non-principal GPs from the constituencies.

In addition, some members are co-opted when appropriate e.g. GPs with particular interest or expertise (as an Ophthalmologist).

Members who join the LMC understand that they will have to represent their colleagues on various sub-committees of PCT therefore maintain a close relationship with their neighbouring colleagues.

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