Summer conference: PCNs on a journey

Jonty Heaversedge, a GP and medical director for primary care and digital transformation at NHS England (London), said PCNs covered 99% of practices on 1 July – the deadline set in the long-term plan.

‘This is very much the first stage. Practices will be in different places on their integration journey and we must ask how we support them at every point.’

Workforce was key, but it was important to think beyond GPs – the NHS long-term plan set out the aim for PCNs to attract an additional 20,000 staff, including pharmacists, allied healthcare professionals and social prescribing leads. Dr Heaversedge (pictured) said recruiting additional physiotherapists was important – they could absorb up to 20% of GP workload as a fifth of family doctor appointments were due to musculoskeletal issues.

Digital technology could also help – directing patients on their pathway, ensuring they get the right care or giving them more access to self-care. While it was important to facilitate online consultations, patients must also be able to see their GP face-to-face or over the phone.

He added that PCNs must not lose sight of the reasons they are being set up.

’The recent focus has been on form, but I don't want us to lose sight of their purpose. It’s about reducing inequalities and providing care that is personalised, preventative and proactive. We have to keep reminding ourselves of that.’