Equipped for success?: what clinical directors need for effective primary care networks
This report explores the three top areas for action if primary care networks are to succeed.
Primary care networks (PCNs) are a core building block of the future of health and care. Not only do they put general practice as the centre of patients' care needs, they can allow a much wider range of services to be delivered outside of hospitals, and they can support care to be more joined up in a areas serving populations between 30,000 to 50,000 people.
This report explores the three top areas for action if primary care networks are to succeed. Based on engagement with PCNs and their clinical directors, and an online survey, the PCN Network has identified time, support and funding as pressing priorities for NHS England and NHS Improvement to address.
Our key asks are that PCNs are given:
- more time to build relationships and effectively prepare for new service specifications
- additional (protected) funding to enable them to employ management support, accompanied by support on issues such as workforce by CCGs and/or integrated care systems (ICSs)
- clarity on the totality of, and access to, funding for PCNs, as well as fair allocation of funding in line with local need.
Download the report and find out more about the PCN Network, the national voice of PCNs.
PCN Directed Enhanced Service (DES) specification consultation responses
Access the responses submitted by the NHS Confederation, Community Network and NHS Clinical Commissioners
