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

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.

At THC Primary Care, we provide resources to support the leadership and management of primary care networks. In this blog, we summarise our recent YouTube Live session with Ben Gowland, Dr Andy Foster, and Dr Hussain Gandhi. This conversation has become something of a yearly tradition, where we come together to discuss the news stories affecting primary care in the run-up to our national conference, PCN Plus Live , taking place on 22nd April. If you want the full discussion,

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 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.

Eight pieces to help PCN Clinical Directors, PCN managers and practice managers understand neighbourhood health policy, contract architecture and governance readiness. Start here.

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.

A practical guide to costing NHS primary care services — from asking the right questions and building transparent spreadsheets to anchoring your board presentation. Includes downloadable A3 infographic.

Ben Gowland on whether the 2026/27 GP contract signals the end of PCNs — and what neighbourhood leadership means for primary care networks now.

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.

Whether you're leading a primary care network that's functioning but feels harder than it should, or you're struggling and need a reset, understanding what "good" actually looks like helps you know where you stand and what needs to change.

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.

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?

And why most networks are making the decision for the wrong reasons. governance model and explains how PCNs, federations, and GP collaboratives can organise themselves effectively – without drowning in meetings or losing the voice of individual practices.

If you are new to your PCN leadership and management role, there is a lot to learn. Within the Primary Care Network Members Club, our blog and the business of healthcare podcast, there are A LOT of resources. To help you get started, we have compiled the most important resources and a reading list so you can hit the ground running.

At the heart of neighbourhood health is the patient. This blog breaks down the three-tier governance model and explains how PCNs, federations, and GP collaboratives can organise themselves effectively – without drowning in meetings or losing the voice of individual practices.

As debate intensifies over the future of primary care in England, it's easy to cast the shift towards neighbourhood models as a zero-sum contest between PCNs, practices and new contractual forms. It shouldn't be.

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

Confused by NHS neighbourhood health terminology? This guide breaks down the three-tier model, HWBs, JSNAs, SNPs and MNPs for primary care leaders.