Primary Care Networks (PCNs)
NHS Futures Platform
The NHS Futures platform has monthly webinars and one stop guidance for changes to practices and PCNs from NHS England. The webinars are usually the first Thursday of each month at 5pm and attending live gives you the oppurtunity to ask questions. You can also view previous webinar recordings.
My PM Tip: Add a monthly task to My PM to ensure you never miss a NHS England Webinar!
The DES
A primary care netork is a group of practices working together to serve a local population of circa 30sk to 50k patients. They work together under a Direct Enhanced Service set by NHS England.
To find out about the DES and the network requirements click here
Under the DES the main additional aspects of the PCN are:
ARRS - Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme
ARRS stands for Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, a program that provides funding for primary care networks (PCNs) to recruit new roles to improve access to healthcare. Find out more here.
My PM tip: Add a monthly task to claim/invoice your ARRS staff from your ICB
IIF - Investment and Impact Fund
Similar to Qof or enhanced services within your practice, the PCN will have income related KPIs around good patient care/outcomes. This year the focus is on cancer prevention and LD health checks. To find out about the latest IIF standards click here
My PM Tip: Set a monthly task to review practice IIF achievement
Enhanced Access
PCNs will be required to provide enhanced access appointments between the hours of 6.30pm to 8pm Mondays to Fridays and between 9am and 5pm on Saturdays. Find out more about the guidance and requirements here.