Primary Care Networks

GP practices in Islington have been collaborating in local “networks” for some years now. Each of these networks has consisted of around 4 or 5 practices and there are 8 of them across Islington. More recently, in response to the NHS 10 year plan, these networks have been geographically aligned to form four “Primary Care Networks” or PCNs.

The Islington GP Federation has been integral to the mobilisation and leadership of these networks which have so far focused on:-

• Supporting patients with rising levels of frailty, working closely with colleagues from Age UK and the ICAT team together with specialists including physiotherapists, occupational therapists and pharmacists

• Supporting patients with long term conditions, including Diabetes, Atrial Fibrillation, Hypertension, COPD and Paediatric Asthma

• Improving the physical health of people with severe mental illness

• Recruiting, training and mentoring pharmacists and other support staff to work in general practice

The PCNs are supported by the federation infrastructure which provides HR, IT and Analytics, Governance, Finance and Operations expertise as necessary.