Derby & Derbyshire LMC

19/02/2026

🚨 Did you know?
Pushing for “more GP access” without extra staff or resources risks the one thing that matters most: patient safety.
GPs are delivering more care than ever, but being asked to do even more with even less isn’t safe for patients or teams.
Safe care must come before endless access demands. 💛

18/02/2026

Dr Louise Clarke and Dr Weronika Tobiasiewicz have been nominated for the position of chair at Derby and Derbyshire Local Medical Committee (DDLMC).

Voting is now open and committee members have been asked to cast their vote before Friday, 27 February. The successful candidate will be announced at a DDLMC committee meeting on Thursday, 5 March.

Dr Clarke is a GP at Parkside Surgery and Alfreton and Arch Primary Care Network (PCN) Area Representative on DDLMC.

Dr Clarke said: “Increasing bureaucracy, GP substitution, below-inflation funding and an ill-considered ‘left shift’ to primary care threaten our profession.

“As chair, I will represent Derby and Derbyshire GPs locally, interfacing with the new ICB, and nationally - ensuring our voices are heard, respected and acted upon.”

Dr Tobiasiewicz is a GP at Littlewick Medical Centre and Ilkeston and Erewash Primary Care Network (PCN) Area Representative on DDLMC.

Dr Tobiasiewicz said at a time of unprecedented pressure, the DDLMC needs visible and inclusive leadership.

She added: “I will listen to you and advocate for all GPs across Derbyshire.”

We wish both candidates the best of luck!

You can read more about nominations for the chair on the DDLMC website: https://www.derbyshirelmc.org.uk/news/voting-period-open-for-election-of-a-new-ddlmc-chair

16/02/2026

Derby & Derbyshire GP Practice Appointment data from December 2025.
Information source NHS Digital

13/02/2026

🛫💬 Did you know?
GPs, like pilots, need safe working conditions to protect the people they care for.
Overloaded workloads aren’t safe for anyone — and controlling demand is essential to keep patients safe.
Let’s support essential safe working in General Practice. 💙

12/02/2026

Yesterday DDLMC Practice Liaison Officer, Hayley Scott, attended the NextGen GP East Midlands Conference.

The conference aims to help newly qualified GPs learn more about development opportunities in their local area.

Derby and Derbyshire Local Medical Committee (DDLMC) was invited to attend to explain more about the work we do and opportunities to get involved.

Hayley was on hand to answer questions. She was also busy handing out goody bags encouraging newly qualified GPs to come and observe a DDLMC committee meeting to find out more about how we operate.

We're always keen to inspire the next generation of GPs and future DDLMC committee members, so if you're a newly qualified GP interested in learning more, get in touch via email: ddlmc.office@nhs.net

You can also find out more on our website: https://www.derbyshirelmc.org.uk/

11/02/2026

Rebuild General Practice

Today we need Derbyshire GPs to speak out.

Join the campaign on X and share real examples of how bureaucracy is crowding out patient care.

Visibility drives change — and collective action matters.

Visit: https://rebuildgp.co.uk/the-fight-against-gp-bureaucracy for more information

Demand for GP appointments is outstripping supply. Patients should be able to consult their GP when needed. GPs want to deliver, but the system is in crisis

11/02/2026

Did you know?
Patient safety is at the heart of everything your GP practice does — from diagnosis and prescribing, to referrals, workload management, and learning from feedback.

This poster highlights 10 ways GP teams protect patients every day, often behind the scenes.
A strong safety culture helps ensure you get the right care, safely and consistently. 💙

05/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended last night’s Evening with Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer. We were pleased to welcome 72 colleagues from DDLMC, NLMC and LLRLMC.

It was encouraging to see so many GPs make the time to come together, particularly given the ongoing pressures across General Practice. The discussions in the room reflected the realities many of us are dealing with. Dr Bramall's session offered useful perspective on the challenges facing the profession.

Your engagement helps strengthen our collective voice and supports the work ahead.

03/02/2026

Dr Merryl Watkins has announced that she is retiring from her role as chair of Derby and Derbyshire Local Medical Committee (DDLMC).

Dr Watkins took on the role of chair only six months after joining the committee and has successfully led it for the past four years, supported by medical director, Dr Ben Milton, and the DDLMC operational team.

However, she says it is time for her to hand over the reins to someone who can lead DDLMC into the future.

Dr Watkins said: “My colleagues know how dedicated I am to grassroots general practice, and chairing the committee has been a delight.

“However, I believe that it’s the right time for a more vocal and outgoing chair who can help raise the profile of DDLMC.”

She added: “It has been a privilege to be part of such a great team. Everyone is so interactive and interested in making general practice the best it can be.”

Dr Watkins will remain an active committee member, representing Derby City South Primary Care Network area, as well as continuing as a GP at Parkfields Surgery in Alvaston.

Following Dr Watkin's announcement, the election process for a new chair has been launched. The position is open to elected DDLMC committee members only, who are invited to make their submissions via email before Friday, 13 February.

Dr Watkins has invited interested committee members to contact her for an informal chat about their suitability for the role.

For more information visit the DDLMC website: https://www.derbyshirelmc.org.uk/news

02/02/2026

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 long term conditions and supporting vulnerable patients, to organising vaccinations, safeguarding, training future clinicians, and so much more. 💙

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