HFMA response / HFMA response to draft outline service specifications for the network contract direct enhanced service

The HFMA has responded to NHS England’s engagement document on the draft outline service specifications for the network contract direct enhanced service. These service specifications set out the expectations of, and requirements for, primary care networks.

Our members are supportive of primary care networks (PCNs) and welcome the move to better integrate care for their populations and support general practice. However, there are concerns that the breadth and implementation speed of the proposed service specifications could undo the good work seen locally to build these relationships and destabilise primary care further.

As the professional body for finance staff working in healthcare, our response focuses on the financial implications of the draft outline service specifications for PCNs. PCNs cannot have confidence to deliver the service specifications without certainty around the funding model to support them.