Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are a key part of the NHS Long Term Plan, with all general practices being required to be in a network by June 2019, and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) being required to commit recurrent funding to develop and maintain them.
The networks will have expanded neighbourhood teams which will comprise a range of staff such as GPs, pharmacists, district nurses, community geriatricians, dementia workers and Allied Health Professionals such as physiotherapists and podiatrists/chiropodists, joined by social care and the voluntary sector’.
Under the plans, all general practices will be aligned to a PCN, covering 30,000-50,000 patients, with local Enhanced services funded by CCGs and provided through the new network contracts (see below). The networks will provide the structure and funding for services to be developed locally, in response to the needs of the patients they serve. It is important that community pharmacy teams are fully involved in the work of their PCN.
What are the benefits of the PCN?
- Enable to offer more varied appointments i.e. mental health support
- More clinical support without outpatient referrals (reducing waiting times)
- More community based support
- Wider time frame for appointments making appointments more accessible
What to expect from the PCN
- The aim of the PCN is to deliver more thorough and better health outcomes for individual patients
- To work together with other clinicians such as nurse and physician associates and work along side care co-ordinators to improve patient satisfaction and keep patient wellbeing as its best
- PCNs are regularly recruiting to help maintain high quality needs through primary care
