Primary Care Network (PCN)
What is a Primary Care Network?
Primary Care Networks (PCNs) bring together local health, care and community services to work more closely together. The aim is to provide more joined-up, personalised care and make it easier for people to access the support they need close to home.
A PCN usually supports a local population of around 50,000 people and can bring together:
- GP practices
- Pharmacies
- Community health services
- Mental health services
- Adult social care
- Voluntary and community organisations
Why were Primary Care Networks introduced?
Most PCNs were established in July 2019 as part of the NHS Long Term Plan, published in January 2019.
The plan introduced a new approach to delivering health and care services, with a greater focus on services working together rather than operating separately. By joining up care, PCNs aim to provide more personalised support, closer to where people live, while reducing gaps and duplication between services.
What can you expect from your PCN?
PCNs are bringing new healthcare professionals into local services to provide additional support alongside your GP practice.
These roles can include:
- Advanced Nurse Practitioners
- Clinical Pharmacists
- Mental Health Practitioners
- Social Prescribing Link Workers
Having a wider range of healthcare professionals available means you can access the right support from the right person, depending on your needs. This can help people stay healthy, manage existing health conditions and remain independent for longer.
Our practice is part of Rayleigh and District Primary Care Network (PCN).
To find out more about Rayleigh and District PCN, the services they provide and the healthcare professionals available, please visit their website:
