What are Local Medical Committees?

Local Medical Committees (LMCs) are made up of practicing GPs and practice staff elected and co-opted by local GPs. LMCs are statutory bodies which are in place to represent the interests of all local GPs and their teams. LMCs are recognised by the NHS Act 2006, as amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2012, as the professional organisation representing individual GPs and GP practices. 

LMCs represent all GPs in their area, regardless of contractual status. This includes GPs providing General Medical Services (GMS), Personal Medical Services (PMS), and Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS), as well as non-principal GPs, sessional GPs, locums, and GP specialty registrars. LMCs represent the views of GPs to NHS England, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) which replaced Clinical Commissioning Groups in July 2022 NHS, and to any other appropriate organisations or agencies. 

The History

The origins of Local Medical Committees (LMCs) go back to the National Insurance Act of 1911, through which the government of Lloyd George established panels of local doctors to provide a range of medical services to the working male population. 

LMCs were set up to represent the independent contractors who provided those services. When the NHS was established in 1948, LMCs were recognised as the representative voice of General Practitioners. 

LMCs are now recognised by statute under the NHS Act 2006, as amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 England, which extended the role of LMCs to include representation of all GPs, whatever their contractual status. This includes GPs providing Personal Medical Services (PMS), Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS), and non-principal GPs including sessional and salaried GPs. LMCs represent the views of GPs to NHS England, Integrated Care Boards BMA, and any other appropriate organisations or agencies. 

LMCs have traditionally looked after the interests of individual constituents needing advice or assistance. This pastoral responsibility includes assistance to GPs suffering ill health or help in responding to complaints and conciliating in practice disputes.