PMS Reviews - an update

To all PMS GP partners and Practice Managers in LLR

Dear colleague,

Re: PMS Reviews – General update
PMS Practice Representatives meeting rescheduled to Friday 13th February 2015

The PMS Review Task and Finish Group, met on Monday 26th January. Lesley Harrison has agreed to send out a clarification letter to address concerns raised by the LMC, raised in the LMC survey and raised by individual practices. There was an appreciation that practices felt under enormous pressure to make a decision in a very short timescale with limited financial information and with other details, which have been interpreted in different ways by different parties.

The clarification letter will include confirmation that the offer of a ‘transition arrangement’ with PMS Premiums being clawed back over six years will only be available to practices which formally declare they wish to pursue option 3 by 2nd March 2015.

NHS England will offer ‘clinic meetings’ with representatives from individual practices struggling to decide which option to pursue, struggling with the excel ‘calculator’ spread sheet or which believe their financial viability is in under serous threat (or all three). In some cases CCG and LMC representatives may attend.

After taking further legal advice this morning LLR LMC is revoking the advice we gave to practices last week to not submit an ‘expression of interest.’ Our understanding is that making an ‘expression of interest’ by the ‘deadline’ of 30th January is not a requirement though it would help NHS England appreciate the number of practices willing to accept option 3 possibly without the need for further discussions or clarification, additionally it would help with the complex process of identifying the size of funds for CCGs to reinvest. If your practice partners believe they can make the necessary savings to commit to option 3 and you would like the certainty of the transition arrangements over six years it would be appropriate to send your ‘expression of interest’ to this effect.

If your practice partners are minded to pursue option 2 or you remain undecided you may wish to state this as your ‘expression of interest.’ In any case the ‘expression of interest’ is only to give a general indication, which can be changed up to March 2nd. It is the understanding of LLR LMC that practices which do not make an ‘expression of interest’ will be in the same position as those who opt for option 2 or those which formally state that they ‘remain undecided.’

PLEASE NOTE: the critical date is 2nd March 2015 - this is the deadline by which practice partners wishing to take up the offer of option 3 will need to make a formal declaration. It is the understanding of LLR LMC that option 3 will not be offered to PMS contract holders after this date.

As per my last update letter all PMS contract holders have a contractual right to open and fair negotiations to vary their contracts. The LMC are seeking detailed legal guidance on this and also alternative options. I plan to share this with you as soon as it becomes available – I anticipate that this will be before 5pm this Friday (30th January).

We have decided to reschedule the meeting of all interested PMS practices to Friday 13th February 1-3pm at Glen Parva Memorial Hall (West Leicester CCG are running a PLT with mandatory safeguarding training). I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.  We are delighted that Shanee Baker from LMC Law and Glyn Rawlings from Rowleys Accountants will be in attendance to inform the discussions and to help practice representative to consider all possible options.

Please inform Charlotte Woods whether you wish to send representatives to this meeting and the names of your chosen representatives: charlotte.woods@llrlmc.co.uk

Yours sincerely,

Dr Chris Hewitt
Chief Exec.