In July this year, Primary Care Networks (PCNs) will be five years old.

Since they were first born out of the NHS Long Term Plan back in 2019 – the flagship policy aimed at increasing capacity to meet increasing demand by bringing primary care and community services together, to improve patient access and outcomes – they have grown and developed. 

Last month, NHS England published an updated Network contract directed enhanced service (DES) specification and associated guidance, which took effect from 1 April 2024. The latest contract has further cemented the PCN’s role in developing integrated neighbourhood teams and paved the way for them to take an even stronger leadership role in their area, with greater autonomy.  

They have been given help with cash flow as well as increased financial and staffing flexibility. The role of Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) has been strengthened after they became part of the core general practice funding in 24/25 and were widened to include enhanced nurses, giving PCNs have even more staffing flexibility and the role of the PCN Clinical Director has been simplified.  

Practices and PCNs have been supported to improve outcomes by the simplification of service requirements. They have also been helped to improve patient experience by increasing the capacity and access payments (CAPs) which will now start to be paid at any point in the year, once PCNs confirm they meet the simple criteria for payment.  

Besides that, the NHS England strategy is still very much focussed on PCNs improving patient experience of access using the ‘Modern General Practice Access’ model. This is based on tackling the 8am rush by  moving away from the 8am phone call queue and ‘first come, first served’ process for allocating appointments, by using technology such as cloud based telephony and online consultations in combination with new operational processes.   

Our Digital & Transformation Managed Service is evolving

Over the past five years, Redmoor Health has supported PCNs by providing comprehensive digital and transformation support. This has enabled them to achieve their DES targets effectively. Building on this foundation, last year we introduced a ‘Digital & Transformation Lead’ service, available for funding through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). This offering, our Digital & Transformation Managed Service, is specifically designed to alleviate the challenges of recruiting for crucial roles like the Digital and Transformation Lead, while equipping PCNs with extensive knowledge and support in digital transformation. 

As PCNs continue to develop, our services are evolving in tandem to meet their diverse needs. Recognising that not all networks progress at the same rate or in the same manner, we have adopted a more project-based strategy to foster the development of robust PCNs. For networks requiring comprehensive support comparable to a full D&T Lead role, we now offer:

• Baseline Assessment: A thorough evaluation of your PCN’s digital and transformation capabilities, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. 
• 12-Month Work Plan: Based on your assessment, we will craft a series of targeted 3 month digital and transformation projects to be implemented over the course of the year. 
• Evaluation Report: After each project and at the end of the 12-month programme, we will compile a concise report reviewing PCN progress against deliverables and target outcomes. This report will include an updated assessment of digital and transformation maturity and help identify priorities for a Year 2 plan.

For PCNs that already have a D&T lead but require additional support, we offer flexible, short-term project contracts and tailored assistance to meet your specific needs in digital and transformation areas. 

Baseline Reporting & Project Based Work Plans

Our team assesses PCNs across six main digital and transformation themes, evaluating maturity levels across a range of topics.

Once we establish a baseline, we suggest projects that can create the most significant impact. For each project, we outline a clear scope, anticipated impact, and expected outcomes. Our customers can pick and choose from a menu of project support options including:

• Communication Foundations: Developing and enhancing communication strategies to engage patients more effectively and ensure a consistent approach to improving patient interactions and outcomes. 
• Explore Modern General Practice Access: Integrating digital and physical entry points to enhance patient access, focusing on optimising patient journeys from initial contact through registration and follow-up. 
• Optimise Modern General Practice Access: Refining patient access strategies using comprehensive data analytics, enhancing online visibility, and streamlining navigation and care coordination.
• Workflow & Efficiencies: Streamlining both administrative and clinical workflows to improve operational efficiencies and patient service delivery. 
• Workforce and Leadership: Enhancing workforce planning and leadership for improved practice efficiency and resilience.
• Understanding & Managing Demand & Capacity: Using data analytics to understand and manage practice capacity and patient demand, improving resource allocation and patient satisfaction.
  
• Optimising Demand & Capacity: Leveraging data analytics and best practices at the PCN level to optimise demand and capacity management for better patient care.
• Procurement Support: Ensuring effective procurement of new solutions by gathering PCN requirements, co-ordinating product demonstrations and evaluating solutions, ensuring optimal selection. 
• Implementation Support:Facilitating the smooth and effective implementation of new systems across PCNs to enhance healthcare service delivery.
• PCN Board Education: Empowering PCN boards with the knowledge and strategies for effective leadership, decision-making, and achieving national targets.
• Working at Scale: Implementing scalable solutions and integrating services to maximise efficiency and improve patient care within PCNs.
• Workforce Wellbeing: Enhancing staff wellbeing for a healthier and more productive workforce.
• Net Zero: Helping practices reduce their environmental footprint and achieve sustainability goals through awareness and sustainable practices.
• Strategic Patient Recall: Enhancing patient care and satisfaction through strategic recall planning and the use of digital technologies to manage long-term conditions and meet QOF targets.

Our projects are designed to address the dynamic needs of PCNs covering a wide range of areas from operational enhancements to digital transformations. We deliver clear impact and measurable outcomes within a 3 month timeframe, clearly demonstrating the value of our services. For any assistance related to your digital and transformation challenges or other projects, don’t hesitate to contact our team today. We are here to support you in every step of your journey towards improved healthcare delivery.