GP Noticeboard

Issue: July 2026

KEY UPDATES FROM YOUR LMC

BHRUT

• Urgent Suspected Cancer Diagnostic Requirements BHRUT have updated their Urgent Suspected Cancer diagnostic requirements prior to 2WW referrals. They expect that this will ensure that patients are managed in a timely manner. Concerns have been raised by LMC where timely access to required tests are not available to primary care and LMC advises GP’s not to delay 2ww referrals.
Further information: USC Diagnostic Requirements Matrix GP Alerts: The GP Alert system remains an issue of significant concern to LMC. BHRUT have advised that some progress in managing GP Alerts is being made. We have been informed that alerts are being reviewed by senior clinicians.

LMC continues to work with BHRUT to ensure greater transparency and clearer ownership.

LMC requested monthly logs of the alerts received and highlighted the importance of practices receiving an acknowledgement/outcome of the alerts raised

LMC are exploring escalation if concerns regarding GP alerts cannot be resolved. • Haematology Referral Guidance: Haematology services at BHRUT are currently facing a significant backlog. Please consider reviewing their updated referral guidance.
Further Information: Haematology Referral Guidance

NELFT

• Elemental Single Point of Access: NELFT have introduced a new online referral platform which aims to strengthen their ‘no wrong door’ SPA referral pathway. LMC met with NELFT to raise concerns about duplication, data sharing issues and to seek a better understanding of the advantages of this platform for GPs.
LMC has been assured the issue of duplication is being looked into at pace and hopefully will be resolved within a short period of time
LMC has been able to clarify that the content of provider entries directly into the EMIS system are appropriate.
NELFT has been reminded that patient has access to the medical record and that terminology used during their triage process is understandable and acceptable to patients. Eg: replacing referral ‘declined’
Further to LMC concerns, NEFLT has now agreed not have a fixed date date to accepting the old paper SPA forms and can confirm these continue to be accepted. • Adult ADHD Pathway: LMC continues to engage with NELFT to ensure the Adult ADHD pathway is safe, sustainable and appropriately supported. Membership strongly advocates that specialist responsibilities should not be transferred into general practice without agreed shared care arrangements.

NEL ICB

• MSK Referral Pathway: The new pathway went live on 1st July. Practices can refer via this pathway any patients who may need MSK MRI’s.

Practices should continue to refer directly clinically urgent MSK imaging as previously, as pathway is only related to MSK imaging. practices can continue to refer for MRI’s and ultrasounds for non MSK indications in the usual way.

LMC has highlighted that MRI referrals made before the 1st July should not be rejected and ultrasound referrals should continue to be accepted.

If you are receiving inappropriate MRI or ultrasound rejections please inform LMC office so we can escalate it further. • The LTC LIS: LMC continues to work in partnership with neighbouring LMCs consulting with the ICB on the Long Term Condition and Mental Health LISs.

Shared care has been agreed for the MH Depot injection LIS but no progress has been made regarding a communication channel with psychiatrist if practice needed any advice.

Practices should review the LIS in detail before sign-up

NATIONAL ISSUES

• Patient List Validation (FP69): NHS England continues its Patient List Validation programme, with practices seeing increased FP69 notifications and patient deductions. Practices should review notifications promptly and ensure patient demographic details are updated where appropriate.
Further information and resources for practices and patients can be found here

• GP Collective Action: The BMA has updated its guidance for practices and individual GPs who wish to participate in GP Collective Action. Current guidance covers safe workload limits, unfunded workload transfer and shared care arrangements. Further information from BMA

🏛️ Contact LMC
We are keen to hear from you to ensure your LMC is raising issues on your behalf. We welcome any suggestions on priority issues.
Ravi Goriparthi
Vice Chair
📧 RGoriparthi@nhs.net
Bishakha Chowdhury
Primary Care Director
📧 Bishakha.chowdhury@nhs.net

Maurice Sanomi
Chair
Dan Weaver
Vice Chair 📬 Office Contact details:
📞 Telephone: 07908 584788
📧 Email: lmc.bdh@nhs.net