PCN Services
Services that we provide
Enhanced Access
Evening and weekend services
PCN Enhanced Access is aimed at improving access to primary care services. This initiative is part of broader efforts to ensure patients can more easily access general practice services and other primary care resources.
Practices within a PCN collaborate to offer services outside of typical working hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate patients’ schedules.
Our enhanced access hours are 6.30pm to 8pm weekdays and 9am-5pm on Saturdays. Appointments are bookable in advance and are available through your registered practice reception lines.
All practices have access to book appointments in enhanced access hours, but not all practices deliver the appointments at all times/days. Patients will be directed to the most appropriate location for their preferred appointment type/time.
All practices have access to book appointments in enhanced access hours, but not all practices deliver the appointments at all times/days. Patients will be directed to the most appropriate location for their preferred appointment type/time.
PCN Services
ARR Roles
ARR (Additional Roles Reimbursement) roles aims to expand the workforce within primary care by providing funding to employ a variety of healthcare professionals. These roles are intended to complement the work of GPs and practice nurses, enhancing the range and quality of services available to patients. Here are some of the key ARR roles:
Clinical Pharmacists
They work directly with patients to manage long-term conditions, conduct medication reviews, and provide expert advice on medicines.
Social Prescribing Link Workers
They connect patients with non-medical support in the community, such as social activities, exercise programs, and housing advice, to improve their overall wellbeing.
First Contact Physiotherapists
They provide initial assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions, reducing the need for GP consultations for these issues.
Physician Associates
They support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients, carrying out physical examinations, diagnosing illnesses, and interpreting test results.
Dieticians
They provide expert dietary advice to patients, helping to manage conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and gastrointestinal disorders.
Mental Health Practitioner
They offer support and treatment for patients with mental health conditions, working alongside GPs to provide holistic care.
Care Co-ordinators
They help to manage and coordinate care for patients with complex needs, ensuring that they receive appropriate services and support.
Health & Wellbeing Coaches
They work with patients to set and achieve health-related goals, promoting healthier lifestyles and self-management of conditions.
Meet the Teams of the PCN
Care Homes
Enhanced Health in Care Homes is part of the NHS’s effort to improve the health and care of residents in care homes. The EHCH model aims to provide proactive, coordinated, and comprehensive care to residents, leveraging the collaborative approach of PCNs. These are some key aspects of the PCN EHCH initiative:
Enhanced Primary Care Support
PCNs work to ensure that care home residents have regular access to GP services, including routine visits, medication reviews, and health assessments. This proactive approach helps in early identification and management of health issues.
Personalized Care and Support Plans
– Residents receive personalized care plans tailored to their individual health needs and preferences. These plans are developed collaboratively with input from the resident, their family, and healthcare professionals, ensuring that care is person-centered and holistic.
Access to Urgent Care
The EHCH model ensures that care home residents have timely access to urgent care services when needed, helping to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and ensuring that acute health issues are addressed promptly
Medication Reviews
Regular medication reviews are conducted by clinical pharmacists to optimize medication use, reduce polypharmacy risks, and ensure that residents are receiving the most appropriate treatments.
Care Homes
Enhanced Health in Care Homes is part of the NHS’s effort to improve the health and care of residents in care homes. The EHCH model aims to provide proactive, coordinated, and comprehensive care to residents, leveraging the collaborative approach of PCNs. These are some key aspects of the PCN EHCH initiative:
1. Enhanced Primary
Care Support
PCNs work to ensure that care home residents have regular access to GP services, including routine visits, medication reviews, and health assessments. This proactive approach helps in early identification and management of health issues.
2. Personalized Care and Support Plans
Residents receive personalized care plans tailored to their individual health needs and preferences. These plans are developed collaboratively with input from the resident, their family, and healthcare professionals, ensuring that care is person-centred and holistic.
3. Access to
Urgent Care
The EHCH model ensures that care home residents have timely access to urgent care services when needed, helping to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and ensuring that acute health issues are addressed promptly.
4. Medication Reviews
Regular medication reviews are conducted by clinical pharmacists to optimize medication use, reduce polypharmacy risks, and ensure that residents are receiving the most appropriate treatments.
COVID-19 Information
Primary Care Networks (PCNs) played a crucial role in the COVID-19 vaccination program in the UK. Their involvement was instrumental in the rapid and efficient rollout of vaccines to the population in 2020. PCNs coordinated the vaccination efforts within their respective areas, organizing clinics and vaccination sites. This included setting up vaccination centres in GP practices, community centres, and other suitable locations.
Overall, the involvement of PCNs in the COVID-19 vaccination program was vital for its success. Their local knowledge, established patient relationships, and integrated care approach allowed for an effective and efficient vaccination rollout, significantly contributing to the public health response to the pandemic.
Our Aims
PCN Capacity and Access refers to the initiatives and strategies implemented by Primary Care Networks to enhance the ability of primary care services to meet patient demand and ensure timely access to healthcare. This involves various measures to expand capacity, improve efficiency, and ensure that patients can access the care they need when they need it. Key components include:
- Evening and Weekend Appointments: PCNs offer appointments outside of regular working hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate patients’ schedules.
- Online Consultations: Utilization of digital platforms for remote consultations, allowing patients to have virtual appointments with healthcare providers.
- Telephone Triage: Implementing telephone triage systems to manage patient flow and ensure that those needing urgent care are prioritized.
- Diverse Workforce: Employing a range of healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, physiotherapists, mental health workers, and social prescribers, to provide a broader spectrum of care.
- Training and Development: Investing in the training and development of staff to enhance their skills and expand the range of services they can provide.
- Integration with Secondary Care: Working closely with secondary care providers to streamline patient pathways and reduce unnecessary referrals.
- Community Partnerships: Collaborating with local community organizations and social care providers to support holistic patient care.
- Personalized Care Plans: Developing personalized care plans that consider patients’ individual health needs and preferences.
- Patient Engagement: Involving patients in decisions about their care and encouraging self-management where appropriate.
By focusing on these areas, PCNs aim to enhance their capacity to meet patient needs, reduce wait times, and improve overall access to primary care services. These efforts contribute to a more efficient, responsive, and patient-centred healthcare system.
Sharing expertise and resources, to develop new services.
The PCN
Information
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