Working with GPs – what is a Primary Care Network?
GPs continue to play an important part of our Partnership work with a role that is underpins much of our local health support, helping to keep the people of our County well and happy, while continuing to live, wherever possible, at home.
Our Primary Care Network (PCN) brings together thirteen multi-disciplined teams through our GP Practices, reducing demand for hospital and other healthcare services. By directly linking social care and NHS professionals every day, we ensure that continuity of support always drives our decisions.
Primary Care Networks were created as part of the NHS Long Term Plan (published January 2019) and were a natural progression from the work that had been going on in County Durham over the previous couple of years.
PCNs are groups of neighbouring general practices working together and with community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital, dentistry and voluntary services. Looking at the specific health and social care needs of patients living in their areas.
PCNs are continuing to develop, ensuring more joined up working across local health and social care organisations. A particular focus in 2020/21 was enhancing health in care homes, supporting early cancer diagnosis and improving the use of medicines. Over the next year or so they will be focusing on anticipatory care, personalised care, cardiovascular disease case-finding, and locally agreed action to tackle inequalities.
You can find a full list of the practices that form these groups on the North East and North Cumbria ICB website