Inevitably the LMC is receiving a significant number of queries from practices about their membership of Primary Care Networks (PCNs).
The contractual changes agreed between the GPC and NHS England make it clear that PCNs are GP- practice membership organisations and are to be led by their practices. They are not commissioner – led bodies and the membership and configuration of PCNs is one for their member practices themselves to decide, subject to the caveat of course that there are rules which must be followed in respect of geographical configuration, alignment with community nursing, universal coverage of CCG populations etc. It is very likely that in some cases this is going to be an extremely difficult if not impossible circle to square so some difficult decisions will have to be made and unfortunately I do not necessarily expect every practice to emerge from this process completely delighted with the outcome. Membership of some practices of federations/superpartnerships will of course inevitably add to the complexity of the situation but PCNs are fundamentally new and separate bodies from any currently existing legal entities.
However as long as PCNs fulfil the required criteria then, as stated, membership is for constituent practices to determine and not something for the CCG to impose or “allocate”.
I am urgently seeking a meeting with the CCGs to discuss the PCN processes and the LMC is also setting up a city-wide open meeting of practices. In the meantime any practice which has questions or concerns over this matter and/or its own individual position is urged to contact the LMC for advice and support.
There will of course be many other important issues, over and above that of PCN membership, which will arise and require attention and resolution as PCNs are formed, commence operation and develop. Notwithstanding that PCN membership is ostensibly voluntary, by means of the new DES, I expect that most practices will feel that this is an agenda over which they as providers must seize the initiative, lead, and grasp any opportunities going forwards.