Pulse PCN podcast: Recent Episodes
Pulse PCN
The Pulse PCN podcast is for anyone interested in primary care networks and how they fit within the NHS – the work they do, the opportunities they have and the challenges they face. Each episode will cover a key topic for PCNs and will feature a discussion with a clinical director on how they are working to develop their network and meet the challenges presented to the system today.
In this episode of the Pulse PCN Podcast, deputy editor Beth Gault and editor Victoria Vaughan discuss the PCN capacity and access pilot sites that were launched last year and their progress so far.
Beth interviews Dr Neha Bhagi, clinical director of Frome PCN, Somerset, which is one of the 22 pilot sites.
They discuss how the pilot is going at the PCN and what impact it’s having on the network.
Stories referenced in the article:
https://pulsepcn.co.uk/news/pcns-enticed-to-join-pilot-scheme-with-a-possible-1-5m-funding/
https://pulsepcn.co.uk/news/all-pcns-to-benefit-from-demand-and-capacity-pilots/
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Intro music from Muzaproduction via Pixabay
This episode was produced by Beth Gault
Tackling neighbourhood health inequalities is one of the service specifications set out for PCNs in the Network DES. Pulse PCN editor Victoria Vaughan discusses how South Ribble PCN in Preston, Lancashire is approaching the issue with clinical director Dr Partha Ganguli.
The importance of communication was drawn into sharp focus during the initial challenges raised by the pandemic. Clinical director of Townships 1 Network in Sheffield, Dr Tom Holdsworth, shares the lessons he's learned around communicating beyond the practice with Pulse PCN editor Victoria Vaughan
Torbay in Devon has one of the highest number of care home beds in the country. Care home visiting service lead, Dr Katharine Bhatt, talks to Pulse PCN editor Victoria Vaughan about the development of the service in her area in conjunction with the enhanced care in care homes network DES.
The optimal size of a PCN is said to be covering between 30,000 to 50,000 patients however there are examples of larger PCNs around the country. Enfield in London is one. Pulse PCN editor Victoria Vaughan discusses the merits of PCNs working on a larger scale with one of its clinical directors Dr Sarit Ghosh.
PCNs started life in July 2019 and the pace of progress is very much set by what came before. Areas where the National Association for Primary Care's primary care home model was up and running have found the transition easier. Pulse PCN editor Victoria Vaughan talks to Dr Jeremy Carter, clinical director at Herne Bay PCN in Kent about the network set up.
The role of a PCN clinical director seems to be ever-expanding. How does the job now compare with what leading GPs initially signed up to? Pulse PCN editor, Victoria Vaughan, discusses the changing nature of the role with Dr Manu Agrawal, clinical director of Cannock North PCN, Staffordshire.
The additional roles reimbursement scheme has seen an influx of new health care workers into general practice, creating a more diverse workforce. Pulse PCN editor Victoria Vaughan discusses how the scheme is working in Outer West Newcastle PCN with its clinical director Dr Brigid Joughin.