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

Article Excerpt Most GP practices produce financial information, but far fewer produce reports that genuinely support decision making. This article explains the four simple financial reports every practice should use to improve financial management, strengthen leadership and make better business decisions.

Neighbourhood Contract Consultation: NHS England's MNP and SNP proposals raise important questions beyond the consultation itself. Explore what ARRS funding protection really means, the impact of Enhanced Access, why PCN footprints matter, and the capability challenges facing neighbourhood providers.

Most GP practices measure finance, patient satisfaction and performance, but very few measure the overall strength of their business. This article explains why business strength matters, the seven areas that influence long term success, and how measuring them can improve planning, decision making and continual improvement.

NHS England's MNP and SNP consultation sets out four routes but only two contracts. What PCN leaders need to weigh up, and how to respond by 10 Sept 2026.

As neighbourhood working evolves, provider-to-provider contracting is helping some areas move faster without waiting for new national contracts. Discover how the approach works, where the opportunities lie, and the key legal and organisational risks PCNs should consider before getting started.

Occupational health referrals across PCN teams are rising. HR specialist Joanne Harding and occupational health practitioner Dr Shoby Sathananthan explain when to refer, what to ask, how to read the report, and how to handle reasonable adjustments, capability and consent.

ost GP practices work hard to deliver excellent patient care, but being a good practice does not automatically mean being a good business. Gary Hughes explores the seven ingredients that help create stronger, more resilient practices and introduces the Business Strength Model.

Support PCN pharmacist progression when ARRS roles are devolved: practical insights to unlock development across your network.

This blog, written in partnership with BAXCQC, cuts through the assumptions and sets out what every provider in a shared space needs to understand. The NHS is moving decisively toward a neighbourhood model of care.

Not sure who should be your CQC Registered Manager? This guide helps PCNs ask the right questions, understand the role, and appoint the right person with confidence.

We've all been there. You leave a meeting thinking something's been agreed, only for someone to ask at the next one: "But did we actually agree?

As we approach the end of the financial year, now is the ideal time to review how effectively your services are working.

Discover key events for PCN leaders in 2026, including PCN Plus Live, NHS ConfedExpo, Digital Health Rewired, and Best Practice London. Free CPD opportunities.

CQC registration gives PCNs autonomy over the services they provide, rather than relying on member practices to hold individual contracts. This independence allows networks to manage services consistently and meet regulatory requirements efficiently.

By the end of this blog post, you’ll have practical insights and actionable strategies to make your Q4 PCN Underspend work harder, strengthen your workforce, and maximise the impact of your underspend

Healthcare leaders face a flood of promises from vendors touting AI healthcare solutions to revolutionise care delivery. The real challenge isn’t whether technology can help – it’s how to distinguish genuine opportunities from costly distractions.

You know that nagging feeling when someone isn't quite right for the role? When you're constantly having to step in and do work that should have been delegated? When colleagues start coming directly to you instead of going through proper channels?

Don't let hidden assumptions derail your neighbourhood health project. Use this exercise at your next team meeting to surface risks early. Based on analysis of major NHS failures like NPfIT and terminated integration contracts, this practical tool helps teams identify dangerous blind spots across 8 key areas: relationships, funding, governance, community needs, and more.

I had a conversation last week with a PCN that's completely fractured. Two camps with fundamentally different visions of what their network should be. Board meetings where five people stay silent and two oppose everything. A clinical director ready to step down after five years because the stress isn't worth it any more.

This blog explores the critical leadership challenges facing Primary Care Network (PCN) managers and clinical directors who struggle with team dynamics, stakeholder management, and decision-making in complex healthcare environments. Drawing on insights from supporting over 300 primary care networks, the article identifies the core paradox of PCN leadership: the more leaders try to accommodate everyone's preferences and avoid conflict, the more frustrated and ineffective their