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What to include in your Primary Care Network Manager or Administrator's Induction Plan
Updated: May 11
Whilst the role of the Primary Care Network Manager and Administrator will vary from network to network, there is a repository of resources and key information that all Network Managers and Administrators will need to:
Remain up to date on PCN guidance and requirements
Gain leadership insights
Build their PCN operating structure
This repository of key resources and prompts is ideal for PCNs creating an induction plan for their new network manager or administrator.
Key Resources
General Practice Updates by NHS England is a great place to keep up-to-date with activities and changes happening in general practice. This is where you will find the latest guidance. Start with the DES and Impact and Investment Fund
Network Contract DES – contract specification for 2023/24 – PCN requirements and entitlements document can be found here.This document is key and is referred to as the DES.
Ockham healthcare is a think tank and consultancy supporting best practice and new ways of working in General Practice. They provide weekly blogs and podcasts sharing, discussing and supporting innovations in general practice.
https://www.youtube.com/@eGPlearning.This youtube channel breaks down all things PCN related from the viewpoint of a Clinical Director and GP Partner.
The THC Primary Care website. Here you will find a PCN Manager's viewpoint on the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges that occur in a PCN.
What to include in your PCN Managers and Administrators Induction Plan?
Ideally, it would be great if you could provide your manager or administrator with the following information to help them get acquainted with the role, the team, the activities and services taking place in the network.
The contact details of each practice and the mobile number(s) of your Clinical Director
The projects being delivered
Access to the systems they may need (e.g. EMIS, SystmOne, the workforce portal, their computer etc.....)
The network’s business plan
The network’s key stakeholders
The network’s meeting schedule
The channels the network uses to communicate
How the network finances are managed
Terms of reference / the network agreement to understand how the network makes decisions
The network roles that are in place: Who are they? Where do they work? Who do they report to? What are they currently focusing on? What HR structure is in place?
It would also be useful to:
Share how the PCN monitors its performance against the network's contractual requirements and impact and investment fund targets.
Set up key meetings with the practice managers and the PCN team
If you are a new manager in post, and this information was not provided to you, I would start here and start to piece this puzzle together yourself.
Please note, you will need to be patient, resourceful and persistent if this information isn't freely available.
Lastly, this guide is not conclusive, as the environment is ever-evolving. However, this should allow new network managers to get a head start.
This training and mentorship programme will give you the fundamentals and know-how for you to deliver your role effectively and with confidence.
Check out the programme here.
The role of the network administrator
What are you Tolerating in your Primary Care Network?
How to Overcome Objections in your Primary Care Network
Don’t Let Passive Agreement Hamper your Progress
Tara & Team THC provides project and network management and training to Primary Care Networks and has worked with 11 Training Hubs and over 80 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.
Find out more about THC Primary Care at www.thcprimarycare.co.uk
And follow Tara on Twitter @THCPrimarycare
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