Practice Managers

While the Local Medical Committee (LMC) is strictly a representative body for GPs, we recognise and deeply value the pivotal role that Practice Managers play in the day-to-day running of general practice. Because of the nature of your role, we have forged exceptionally strong links with PMs. You should never hesitate to contact us. We are always here to help where we can and while we will politely decline support if an enquiry falls outside our official remit, we will always do our best to sign post you in the right direction.

New to Essex or New to the Role?

If you have recently moved to the Essex area or are relatively new to the position of Practice Manager, we would like to offer you the opportunity to arrange a friendly, informal chat about the LMC, how we operate, and how we can support you. You can connect directly with Cathy O’Donnell, our LMC Liaison Manager, who will be more than happy to introduce herself.

Practice Managers Supporter Scheme

Running a modern general practice comes with unique pressures and challenges. Our Practice Managers Supporter Scheme is designed to provide you with the peer guidance, practical insight, and backing you need to navigate leadership in primary care successfully. (Details on how to access and utilise the supporter scheme can be found below / contact the office to get connected).

LMC Buying Group

As a practice manager, looking after your practice’s operational efficiency and budget is a major part of your remit. Through our partnership with the LMC Buying Group, practices can access pre-vetted, highly competitive deals on goods and services essential for day-to-day operations.

• • Link to Buying group sub page

(Use this portal to explore approved supplier discounts, review procurement frameworks, and start saving on your practice overheads).

LMC Buying Group 

Why be part of the Buying Group?

Procurement can be time-consuming, inconsistent and frustrating. Comparing suppliers, negotiating prices and reviewing contracts all take valuable time away from running your organisation.

We’ve already done the hard work for you.

Our team works directly with approved suppliers to negotiate competitive pricing and secure valuable member benefits, helping you access quality products and services without the need to continually shop around.

Membership benefits include:

• • Free membership with no joining fees

• • Access to negotiated supplier discounts

• • Trusted, approved supplier network

• • Time-saving procurement support

• • Cost comparison services

• • Ongoing supplier relationship management

• • Access to exclusive member offers and opportunities

There is no obligation to use every supplier and members remain free to choose the services that best suit their needs.

The LMC Buying Group members portal should be your first port of call to access information about the Buying Group. When you registered with us, you will have been sent an email to set a password. If you haven’t done this yet or have forgotten your password and need to reset it, you can do that using the link above.

How to use the Buying Group members portal

• • In the profile section (click on your initials in the top left hand of the screen once logged in), you can view your organisation’s membership number and details and any suppliers previously used.

• • In the suppliers section, you can click on any of the boxes on this page to view more information about our suppliers, what they offer and how you can contact them. Most supplier pages also have a quote request form link at the top of the page. Some suppliers (nexpay and PG Mutual) have their own quote forms and these links can be found within the main text. For products like stationery, medical consumables and workwear, we offer a price comparison service and these forms can be found on these supplier pages. If you contact a supplier by phone or email, please make sure you mention you are an LMC Buying Group member so they can apply your discount.

• • In the My Quotes section, you can view a copy of any quote request forms you have submitted through the portal.

When you registered with our portal, you will also have been sent an email from Whittaker Workplace Solutions to set up a password to access ‘The Marketplace’ which is our online shop selling office supplies, catering and janitorial products, PPE, medical consumables and equipment, furniture and workwear in one easy to use website. If you missed this email then contact [email protected] and they will resend the set password link.

As a member, you have access to discounts from all of our approved suppliers (list attached), exclusive content and member-only events.

To get started, visit the members portal but if you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team at [email protected] or 0115 979 6910. You can also find out more on our website.