Wandworth Local Health and Care Plan - October 2019

36 • The new five year framework for GP Contract Reform introduces a new Primary Care Network (PCN) Contract which requires practices to come together in geographical networks covering populations of approximately 30,000 - 50,000 patients to share some staff and services. The CCG and the GP Federation (Battersea Healthcare Community Interest Company) are supporting practices to develop network arrangements and to ensure 100% coverage of networks across the Borough by the 1st July 2019 (which is the national deadline). Currently we anticipate that there will be 9 networks that are broadly geographically aligned. • Over the next 1-3 years, additional funding for specific Primary Care roles (clinical pharmacists, social prescribing link workers, physician associates, first contact physiotherapists and first contact community paramedics) will be provided to networks and new specifications and models of care will be delivered. • Once network proposals are received and approved the CCG and GP Federation will work with PCNs to support the introduction of new roles (initially Social Prescribing Link Workers and Clinical Pharmacists) in a co-ordinated way over the summer. • The CCG also has a key role in working with other providers and stakeholders to support the alignment of community nurses, social workers and mental health workers with the new networks to provided better joined up and holistic care for local populations. Positive engagement between the CCG, Wandsworth Council and community service providers is already underway. • Over the past 18 months practices across Wandsworth have been encouraged to consider opportunities for ‘at scale’ ways of working, acknowledging that this will enable practices to become more sustainable and resilient in the long term and will help them deal with challenges workforce shortages and increasing demand. The new contract provides the contractual and financial levers needed to formalise these working arrangements. Other work - Primary Care Networks in Wandsworth Primary Care Networks