Since the NHS was created in 1948, the population has grown and people are living longer. Many people are living with long term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or suffer with mental health issues, this means they may need access to their local health services more often.

To meet these needs, GP Practices are working together alongside community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, and voluntary services in their local areas in groups of practices known as Primary Care Networks (PCNs). Take a look at this short animation from NHS England which explains how PCN’s work.

The Spen Health & Wellbeing Primary Care Network collectively looks after 52,000 registered patients. Our work is directed by National guidelines set by NHS England. Some areas of priority and focus for our Primary Care Network are improving health inequalities of patients diagnosed with:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer/Early Cancer Diagnosis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

How does a PCN work?