Five Years Later: How Far Have Primary Care Networks Come?

During a couple of recent conversations with primary care focussed connections I've made here on LinkedIn, the subject of Primary Care Networks (PCN's) and their role in emerging Integrated Neighbourhoods has come up.

Those conversations got me thinking back to 2019 and the launch of PCN's when I was involved in establishing four of them across three CCG's (as they then were) and the PCN Maturity Matrix, which, whilst not used particularly well at the time - particularly by CCG's, acted as a helpful guide on the direction of travel.

Last night I managed to find a copy of the matrix which "outlines components that underpin the successful development of networks. It sets out a progression model that evolves from the initial steps and actions that enable networks to begin to establish through to growing the scope and scale of the role of networks in delivering greater integrated care and population health for their neighbourhoods"

It goes on to explain that the matrix "is intended to support a holistic multi agency view of the development of networks. ‘Neighbourhoods’ are the cornerstone of integrated care, served by groups of GP practices working with NHS community services, social care, mental health, other providers, voluntary organisations, local people and communities to deliver more coordinated and proactive services. It is important that development discussions framed around the matrix are able to bring together the insights and expertise of a range of local stakeholders who will be working together to provide improvements in integrated care".

As I recall, this document was never referred to by CCG's I was working with after the initial six months of PCN's (and not because of COVID) but standing in 2024 - five years later - I'm genuinely interested to get views on how far along this matrix PCN's have travelled.

PCN-Maturity-matrix-19-20-Final.pdf

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