The Business of Primary Care Networks
Over 250 blogs to support the leadership and management of primary care networks 

The Advice and Guidance Enhanced Service ended on 1 April 2026. There is no sign up and no £20 per request fee. Using Advice and Guidance is now a core contract requirement, with the funding folded into the global sum and delivery moving onto e-RS during the year. This is what changed, what to expect from secondary care, and what your practice and PCN should do now. If you want it shorter for a tighter card (around 30 words): From April 2026 the Advice and Guidance Enhanced S

The Local Variation Arrangement is the route ICBs may use to align the DES with Single Neighbourhood Providers. Here is what it means for PCN leaders.

Primary care leaders are navigating neighbourhoods working with limited resources.

The PCN Network Contract DES 2026/27 specification is here. Members get a 13-slide key changes deck, updated ARRS salary calculator, financial entitlements tool, templates and AskTHC. All in one place.

The 2026/27 PCN DES specification was published on 26 March 2026. This blog covers what has changed in payment rates, ARRS funding, and operational requirements.

The Neighbourhood Health Framework, published 17 March 2026, is a different kind of document to the neighbourhood health guidelines that came before it. Where the 2025 guidelines provided a framework for local action, the Framework sets named national targets, a formal delivery architecture, and a structured planning timeline. For PCN leadership teams, the most immediately relevant section is the five national goals, each with specific metrics and timescales running to March

SNP and MNP Contracts: Governance Readiness Self-Assessment for PCNs

NHS England published Fit for the Future on 17 March 2026. Here is what is new, what it confirms, and what remains open for PCN leaders and Clinical Directors.

At THC Primary Care, we create resources for primary care leaders. This update captures the latest developments affecting primary care networks (PCNs) as of 9th March 2026.

The 2026/27 GP contract letter has been released, and we’ve created three infographics from the same letter — each telling a very different story. In this blog, we discuss the importance of framing and why the words you choose when sharing information with your network matter more than you might think.

The GP Contract letter dropped on 24th February, and there's a lot to unpack. We've pulled together a slide deck summarising the key changes so you can use it in your next PCN meeting — whether that's briefing your Clinical Directors, your Board, or your wider membership. Download the deck, adapt it for your network, and take it straight into your next meeting. You may find these other insights useful. About Us THC Primary Care is an award-winning healthcare consultancy speci

On 12th February, the HSJ reported that neighbourhood provider contracts won’t arrive until 2027–28 at the earliest. On 24th February, the official GP contract letter for 2026/27 landed from Dr Amanda Doyle. I think it’s important to look at these documents together and to keep in mind what’s still to come to help us take a measured approach. In this blog, we cover: What's actually changing in the 2026/27 GP contract What the neighbourhood health delay means Why do you need

New neighbourhood provider contracts won't arrive until 2027-28 at the earliest. But NHS England still expects local areas to start building neighbourhood health now. What this means for primary care networks.

NHS England's 2026/27 COVID-19 vaccination specification allows practice-level delivery. What does this mean for primary care networks? Key changes, payments, and deadlines.

Budget announcements, BMA standoffs, and the Strategic Commissioning Framework. A November 2025 roundup for PCN and practice managers navigating NHS policy.

At THC Primary Care, we provide resources for primary care leaders. This blog focuses on the Strategic Commissioning Framework – specifically for PCNs who are currently stalling on the neighbourhood agenda.

The NHS Strategic Commissioning Framework explained for primary care leaders. Understand what's changing, the timeline, and what it means for PCNs and general practice.

Understand the NHS Medium Term Planning Framework 2026/27-2028/29. Essential guide for PCN leaders on integrated neighbourhood teams, targets & timelines.

Read this comprehensive guide to GP Contract Access Changes taking effect October 2025. Understand new continuous access requirements for phone lines, online booking, and premises. Balanced coverage of government modernisation goals vs GP safety concerns, implementation timeline from February agreement to October rollout, and potential patient impacts.

The Model Region Blueprint (published 11 September 2025) accompanies the Model ICB Blueprint published earlier in the year, presenting how oversight responsibilities will be split between regional teams and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). If you're running a primary care network or practice, here's what you need to know.