Our History
The Gloucestershire Local Medical Committee (LMC) is a unique means of supporting and representing the interests of the 492 GPs in Gloucestershire; providing information, advice and mediation services.
The origins go back to the National Insurance Bill introduced in 1911 by Lloyd George in which it was proposed that "there should be adequate medical representation on Local Health Committees and statutory recognition of the Local Medical Committees, representative of the profession in the district of Health Committee" Under the current Act, Local Health Authorities are required to consult the LMC on a wide range of topics affecting GPs contracts and for all admissions to the Authority's Medical List.
Increasingly primary care trusts, hospitals trust and other organisations such as the Local Authority and county council, has sought advice on clinical and administrative matters.
The Committee nominate members who represent the LMC and can report back to the Committee, aiding the other members to form a view and opinion as well as assist in the decision making process. The Committee comprises 21 elected GPs, one trainee GP representative and one representative from the Acute Trust. There's also a representative of Practice Managers.
Members of the LMC are elected by the GPs in the county every four years as stipulated in the LMC constitution which was revised in 2008. The constitution is approved, and the LMC is recognised, by NHS Gloucestershire on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health.
Elections for half of the Committee take place bi-annually under terms stipulated in the LMC constitution which is approved by the Secretary of State for Health.