Primary Care Networks

The RCGP has made a number of statements on the development of Primary Care Networks (PCNs). The College believes that PCNs are an opportunity to change primary care for the better, but they must be given the time and space to develop properly.  

National Diktats could shatter fragile PCNs

Professor Martin Marshall

To help understand the barriers and enablers of success, we interviewed:

• GPs
• practice managers
• clinical directors
• RCGP’s own primary care advisers, who are supporting the development of networks

Three key themes emerged from this work:

• Building relationships and buy-in is essential but challenging in the current climate
• There is insufficient knowhow and capacity to drive transformational change
• The requirements placed on PCNs are perceived as too prescriptive and inflexible

Read the full blog published in the Health Services Journal, 13 January 2020.

• Read the RCGP response to the NHSE/I consultation on service specifications (PDF file, 290 KB)
• Read RCGP Chair Martin Marshall's letter to Sir Simon Stevens regarding Primary Care Networks (PDF file, 140 KB)