Primary care networks (PCNs) are a key feature of the NHS Long Term Plan, supporting the development of proactive, personalised and coordinated health and social care services.
Health and care professionals often describe Primary Care Networks (PCNs) as a change from reactively providing appointments for patients to proactively caring for the people and communities they serve. Patients are not likely to notice much of a difference at first to the care they receive, but the accessibility to health care services available and breadth of health care professional services available are the key difference. .
A key feature of practices coming together as part of a primary care network means that every patient registered at those practices will now be able to access some care differently.
The formation of our Primary Care Network (PCN) brings considerable funding to primary care services across the Havant borough, enabling us to employ a range of professionals to improve the health and wellbeing of our Hayling Island and Emsworth population.
We have 2 Clinical Pharmacists and a Pharmacy Technician. They will support all practices in our network and are highly qualified experts in medicines that can help people in a range of different ways. This includes carrying out structured medication reviews for patients with on-going health problems and improving patient safety, outcomes and value through a person-centred approach.
The introduction of Clinical Pharmacists in each network will support GPs to focus their skills where they are most needed, such as diagnosing and treating patients with more complex conditions. This will ultimately help GPs to manage the demands on their time.
Sources:
www.bma.org.uk
www.kingsfund.org.uk
www.aafp.org
www.hampshiresouthamptonandisleofwightccg.nhs.uk