The new GP contract was published in early 2019 as part of the Long Term Plan. A key element of the new contract is the development of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) which will bring GP practices together with other local services – such as community, mental health, social care and the voluntary sector to look after local populations. PCNs will help to join up services at a local level, focusing on the specific needs of these local populations, with patients still accessing routine GP appointments as they do now.

Sedgefield North PCN is a collaboration of 5GP Practices working together to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce health inequalities for our patients in Sedgefield area. They are:

Sedgefield North also have a facebook page where you can find information of what's happening within the PCN.

Sedgefield North PCN - Facebook

We have a network team supporting our practices comprising of; Clinical Pharmacists, First Contact Physiotherapists, Pharmacy Technicians, Social Prescribing Link Workers, Care Coordinators, Mental Health Practitioners and Health and Wellbeing Coaches. Our surgery teams are working closely with each other, enjoying the ability to share expertise and resources, to develop new services. Our vision is to continue to improve the quality of care that we provide in alignment with the need of our patient population. The following video produced by NHS East of England helps to explain the additional roles that Sedgefield North Primary Care Network have available:

WHAT ARE PRIMARY CARE NETWORKS?

PCNs build on current primary care services and enable greater provision of proactive, personalised, coordinated and more integrated health and social care. Clinicians describe this as a change from reactively providing appointments to proactively providing care for the people and communities they serve. Where emerging PCNs are in place in parts of the country, there are clear benefits for patients and clinicians. PCNs usually have a 30-50k population and are geographically contiguous (next to or touching another). All GP practices in our area are expected to sign up to be a member of a PCN. You can read the NHS England PCN FAQs here.