Aug 25, 20212 min read

PCN DES Updates and the Introduction of Management Funding

Updated: Dec 20, 2022

On the 23rd of August , NHS England and Improvement released their updated plans for 2021/22 and 2022/23.

The documents can be found here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/primary-care-networks-plans-for-2021-22-and-2022-23/#

There is a summary document, but at a glance, here is what you need to know:

New funding to support PCN leadership and management, of £43m in 2021/22. The new funding is for clinical directors to recommend how it is deployed to create new capacity to support the PCNs work.
From October 2021, cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, diagnosis and tackling neighbourhood health inequalities will be introduced in a reduced or preparatory form.
From April 2022, PCNs will deliver a single, combined extended access offer funded through the Network Contract DES.
Personalise care will be introduced in April 2022.
By September 2022, PCNs will be required to agree on a plan for Anticipatory Care with their ICS and local partners.
The changes for 2021/22 will be incorporated into a revised Network Contract DES from the 1st of October 2021.

Responding to the publication of the Primary Care Network plans for 2021/22 and 2022/23, Dr Pramit Patel, chair of the NHS Confederation PCN Network, said:

"The introduction of dedicated funding for management resource is long overdue and will enable PCNs to put in place a more robust management infrastructure necessary to oversee the increasing amount of responsibility they are being given”.

Whilst the amount of funding to each PCN is yet to be released, this announcement will be greatly received due to many PCNs struggling to fund the leadership and management capacity of the network and prohibiting them from attracting and retaining the skills and experience required to undertake these roles.

As ever, there is a lot to do, so I would encourage PCNs to think about developing their PCN management team by investing in more than one manager or clinical director to ensure you have a robust infrastructure in place.

From finances, premises, clinical services, managing subcontractors, strategic workforce planning and recruitment, stakeholder engagement, reporting and meetings, we need more systems and processes and more people to make this happen.

Now is the time to highlight these changes to your networks and discuss the who, what, why, where, when and how.

Also, if you liked this blog, please check out:

Should PCNs Work Towards Achieving the Impact and Investment Fund Targets?

The Role of PCNs in Integrated Care Systems (ICS)

Does your PCN have a plan?

Tara provides project and network management to Primary Care Networks and coaching support to clinical leads and has worked with 11 Training Hubs and has now worked with 18 Primary Care Networks to date.

Tara has an MBA in Healthcare Leadership and Management, is published in the London Journal of Primary Care, is the author of over 200 blogs also hosts The Business of Healthcare Podcast.