In January 2019, the NHS Long Term Plan was published, placing an emphasis on prevention, population health and integration. A key part of this was the creation of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) which were a natural progression from the work that had been going on in County Durham over the previous couple of years.
PCNs are groups of neighbouring general practices working together and with community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital, dentistry and voluntary services. Looking at the specific health and social care needs of patients living in their areas, PCNs are focusing on providing personalised, proactive and coordinated care for their patients, to help them live healthier for longer.
What does this mean for patients?
PCNs are continuing to develop, ensuring more joined up working across local health and social care organisations.
PCNs are recruiting additional staff who will help to free up GP time so they can prioritise seeing patients who need their expertise and support.
More appointments have been made available, including over the telephone or via video link. Patients also have online access to their practice to book appointments and reorder prescriptions.
A particular focus in 2020/21 was enhancing health in care homes, supporting early cancer diagnosis and improving the use of medicines. Over the next year or so they will be focusing on anticipatory care, personalised care, cardiovascular disease case-finding, and locally agreed action to tackle inequalities.
Work will also continue to help some patients avoid going into hospital or when they do need to go in, to get home again sooner with the necessary support in place.
A list of PCNs and the practices that form these groups is available below. The CCG does not have a list of the practice representatives who attend any PCN meetings but you will see that the Clinical Directors for each are named. If you have any queries about PCNs or primary care more generally please contact our primary care team via cdccg.primarycare@nhs.net
| PCN | Practice Name | Named Clinical Director(s) |
| Bishop Auckland | Station View Medical Centre Auckland Medical Group Bishopgate Medical Centre | Dr Catherine Harrison |
| Chester le Street | Bridge End Surgery Sacriston Medical Centre Middle Chare Medical Group Great Lumley Surgery Pelton & Fellrose Medical Group Cestria Health Centre The Villages Medical Group | Dr Geoff Crackett Dr Rob Bowron |
| Claypath and University | Claypath and University Medical Group | Dr Jan Panke |
| Derwentside | Tanfield View Surgery Consett Medical Centre Stanley Medical Group Cedars Medical Group Queens Road Surgery Lanchester Surgery West Road and Louisa Surgery Browney House Surgery Oakfields Health Group The Haven Surgery Leadgate Surgery Annfield Plain Surgery | Dr Vikki Cliff Dr John Nicholls Dr Caroline Dostal Dr Dave Bronsgeest |
| Durham East | Belmont and Sherburn Medical Group West Rainton Surgery Coxhoe Medical Practice Cheveley Park Medical Centre Bowburn Medical Centre | Dr Niamh Telford |
| Durham West | The Medical Group Dunelm Medical Practice Chastleton Medical Group Brandon Lane Surgery | Dr Sam Bethapudi |
| Easington Central | Blackhall and Peterlee Practice William Brown Medical Practice Horden Group Practice | Dr Nitish Sahoo |
| Easington District | East Durham Medical Group Wingate Medical Centre Bevan Medical Group Southdene Medical Centre | Dr Dagny Samuel |
| North Easington | Murton Medical Group Marlborough Practice New Seaham Medical Group Byron Medical Group Silverdale Family Practice | Dr Rajiv Mansingh |
| Sedgefield 1 | Hallgarth Surgery Bewick Crescent Surgery Peaseway Medical Centre Jubilee Medical Group | Dr Winny Jose |
| Sedgefield North | St Andrews Medical Practice Ferryhill & Chilton Medical Practice Bishops Close Medical Practice Skerne Medical Practice West Cornforth Medical Centre | Dr Matt Shield |
| Teesdale | Woodview Medical Practice Old Forge Surgery Barnard Castle Surgery Pinfold Medical Practice Gainford Surgery Evenwood Surgery | Dr Dilys Waller |
| Wear Valley | Willington Medical Group North House Surgery The Weardale Practice | Dr Daniel Wilmer |
As a guide we have produce the map below which gives an indication of the location of each PCN (not actual boundaries).
