Derby & Derbyshire LMC

23/03/2026

New resource: Patient Rights & Responsibilities

We’ve created a simple guide to help patients understand what they can expect from their GP practice — and what practices need from patients too.

👉 Same‑day urgent help
👉 Responses for non‑urgent requests
👉 Using the right service

22/03/2026

Derby & Derbyshire GP Practice Appointment data from January 2026.
Information source NHS Digital

20/03/2026

Last week, Derby and Derbyshire Local Medical Committee hosted a webinar on the 2026/27 GP Contract Updates, where over 90 colleagues from across Derby and Derbyshire joined the session.

The webinar covered key changes within the new GP contract and what these may mean for practices locally.

If you were unable to attend, or would like to revisit the discussion, you can watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QpKokK7LNU

We hope colleagues find the session helpful in understanding the upcoming contract changes and their potential impact on general practice.

If you are registered to use our website, you can view a summary of the webinar here: https://www.derbyshirelmc.org.uk/information-hub/internal-updates/gp-contract-update-2627-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly

If you have any queries surrounding the contract changes please email us at ddlmc.office@nhs.net

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

19/03/2026

Yesterday, Dr Ben Milton, Medial Director of Derby and Derbyshire Local Medical Committee, and Hayley Scott, Practice Liaison Officer, attended the Derbyshire System Winter Wash-Up meeting.

During the session, Dr Milton presented GP data to system colleagues and shared a patient story to highlight the vital work carried out by GPs and practice teams across Derby and Derbyshire.

The discussion provided opportunity to reflect on the pressures faced by general practice, recognise the significant contribution of primary care and share learning with partners across the system.

Thank you to colleagues across the Derbyshire system for the opportunity contribute.

To read more about what we’ve been up to, please visit our website: https://www.derbyshirelmc.org.uk/news

19/03/2026

📉 Why are there fewer GPs?

This visual breaks down the increasing pressures facing general practice — from rising patient demand to falling funding and wellbeing.

GPs are leaving faster than they can be replaced, and the system is struggling.

👉 Tackling the real causes is the only way forward.

13/03/2026

A Thanks to Dr Merryl Watkins

The DDLMC Office Team would like to extend thanks to Dr Merryl Watkins for her dedicated service as Chair of the Derby & Derbyshire Local Medical Committee.

Throughout her time in the role, Merryl has provided steady leadership, thoughtful guidance and commitment to supporting GP practices across Derbyshire. Her advocacy for colleagues, and ability to steer the committee through complex challenges have all made a meaningful and lasting impact on the organisation and the wider primary care community.

Merryl’s approach and passion for supporting general practice has been deeply appreciated by the office team. It has been a privilege working alongside her, and we a grateful for the time and energy she has given so generously.

Beyond her professional leadership, Merryl brought a warmth and generosity to the meetings, though her tradition of providing home baked cakes for the committee meetings.

Although she is stepping back as Chair, we are incredibly fortunate that Merryl will continue as a valued committee member.

With sincere thanks

The DDLMC Office Team

12/03/2026

Did you know? There’s so much more to General Practice than phone lines and facetoface appointments.

GPs and their teams work incredibly hard behind the scenes every single day — from managing longterm conditions and supporting vulnerable patients, to organising vaccinations, safeguarding, training future clinicians, and so much more. 💙

This graphic from Derby & Derbyshire LMC highlights just how much goes into keeping General Practice running safely and smoothly.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the amazing teams who make it all happen. 👏💚

09/03/2026

Derbyshire GP, Dr Louise Clarke, elected as new DDLMC chair

Dr Louise Clarke has been elected as the new chair of Derby and Derbyshire Local Medical Committee (DDLMC).

Committee members officially welcomed Dr Clarke at a monthly meeting on Thursday, 5 March, following the election process.

She takes over from Dr Merryl Watkins, who is stepping down after four years in the role.

Dr Clarke said she is very excited about the prospect of representing and supporting GPs in Derby and Derbyshire at a time when the profession is being asked to do more, with less.

She said: “I'm a passionate advocate for general practice, for the independent contractor model of general practice, and for the future of general practice being able to deliver effective patient care, but in a way that is financially sustainable.

The first thing for me to do is listen to people. So, I’d like to get out there, talk to colleagues around Derby and Derbyshire, go into practices, PCNs, speak to the hospitals and the ICB, and find out what is concerning people, day to day.

As a committee, we are there to listen. I want to hear all the diverse voices across general practice and will be guided by those initial conversations.”

Dr Clarke said that longer term she’d like the committee to coordinate more pushback on unfunded work, as there is a lot of work GPs do for free.

She said: “General practice seems to be the default when there isn’t a service commissioned. I think we need to be recognised for that extra work we’re doing, and push back on some things, but also find out where those commissioning gaps are and try and get services commissioned.”

Dr Clarke is a GP at Parkside Surgery, Alfreton, and represents Arch Primary Care Network (PCN) on the DDLMC, which she joined as a committee member in April 2025.

She thanked everyone who voted for her, as well as outgoing chair Dr Watkins, for her support.

She added: “Merryl is fantastic – she makes everyone feel welcome on the committee. She’s a great facilitator of committee discussions and a driving force for ensuring everyone’s voice is heard. She has done some great work with the organisation and has been incredibly supportive of me already.”

Dr Merryl Watkins said: “I’d like to congratulate Dr Clarke on her appointment and feel confident the DDLMC is in safe hands.

She is dedicated to representing general practice and, as chair, she will advocate for their future and the safety of patients.

I’d also like to thank Dr Tobiasiewicz for standing in the election and will value her continued contribution as a strong committee member.”

05/03/2026

**Reminder for Practices**

DDLMC will be holding a webinar on 11th March about the 26/27 GP Contract Update, make sure you’ve registered for this upcoming event.

If you haven’t secured your place yet, please register here: 8c8fa540-b322-433e-916a-7909df99226e@37c354b2-85b0-47f5-b222-07b48d774ee3" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8c8fa540-b322-433e-916a-7909df99226e@37c354b2-85b0-47f5-b222-07b48d774ee3
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Don’t miss out on this important update for practices.

05/03/2026

Vote now to have your say on the 2026/27 GP contract which is being imposed on GP practices in England. GPs are being asked to do more and more, list sizes and GP-to-patient ratios are expanding while continuity of care is shrinking. This referendum – taking place from 4 to 25 March – will give GPs and GP Registrars across England the opportunity to tell the Government if their approach has been acceptable or whether the Government should return to direct negotiations with the GPCE to jointly develop a better contract for GPs in England.

Have you received an email from Civica, with your voting link? If not, check your junk folders and contact GPContract@bma.org.uk if you don't have one.

Find out more on the BMA website, where you can also sign up to one of our webinars https://www.bma.org.uk/gpcontract