PCNs
Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are collaborations of GP practices serving communities of between 30,000 and 50,000 people, working together to enhance patient care.
In the Sedgefield and Easington localities, there are five PCNs, each made up of geographically grouped practices.
PCNs help formalise these partnerships, enabling more coordinated care for patients, better use of shared resources, and improved cost efficiency. Each PCN has a designated Clinical Director who is supported by Business Managers, PCN Operational Managers, and a core team responsible for financial governance as well as strategic and operational support.
A wide range of additional services are delivered through the PCNs to support practices, including: GPs, ANPs, Enhanced Nurses, Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, First Contact Physiotherapists, Social Prescribing Link Workers, Trainee Nurse Associates, Nurse Associates, Physician Associates, Care Coordinators, Health and Wellbeing Coaches, First Contact Mental Health Nurses—including specialists in Child and Young Person Mental Health, GPs, ANPs, Practice Nurses and Digital and Transformational leads.
PCNs also deliver an Enhanced Access Service, providing routine primary care appointments outside of normal opening hours, including evenings until 8pm and weekends between 9am-5pm.
In the Sedgefield and Easington localities, there are five PCNs, each made up of geographically grouped practices. All of which we are managing agents for, each PCN has an aligned PCN Business Manager and Operational Manager.
