What is a Primary Care Network?
A Primary Care Network (PCN) is where like-minded practices come together to work together and provide some joined up services.
A PCN will generally oversee practice populations of between 30,000-70,000.
While nationally there is a big push for practices to come together and provide joined up services there is no desire, intention or motivation to merge our practices but by networking we are able to benefit from creating and sharing extra services working in and with our practices.
The drive to network came of out the national Integrated Care System.
NHS organisations and local authorities in different parts of England have come together to develop plans for the future of health and care services in their area.
Milton Keynes is part of the BLMK ICS – BLMK means Bedford, Luton & Milton Keynes.
The Bridge Primary Care Network
Introduction and Background
The Bridge network is a Primary Care Network (PCN) of Practices within the current CCG area of Milton Keynes consisting of Brooklands Medical Centre, Kingfisher Surgery and Newport Pagnell Medical centre.
Purpose and scope
The purpose of the The Bridge PCN is to design and plan services and healthcare pathways around the populations of Brooklands and Newport Pagnell for our patients in all 3 practices.
Where required we will work more closely together to provide improved services.
The Bridge is committed to working with the Local Authority and Public Health to reduce health inequalities across Milton Keynes.
Vision and Principles
We hold that cost effective health care commissioning arises from clinically led service design with direct involvement from each of our member practices, the patients they serve, the local specialists we refer to and the local authority, who are responsible for our patient’s social wellbeing.
We also hold that successful clinical outcomes can be promoted through peer led accountability amongst clinicians conducted in a constructive and educational manner.
Aims
To design, commission and monitor cost effective health care pathways to maximise measurable patient health outcomes.
To promote best practice through constructive, education-focused, peer support and accountability.
To involve all stakeholders including practices, patients, specialist providers and the local authority in our commissioning plans.
Mental Health Support for patients of The Bridge
Newport Pagnell Community Connection Service is a social, emotional and practical support service offered by MIND BLMK for patients of The Bridge – please see the attached flyer for further information.
Social Prescribing
The Bridge PCN employs a Social Prescriber who supports many patients within the 3 surgeries for differing reasons, please find attached some information about this service.
Knee Osteoarthritis Webinar
Resources discussed in the webinar
Nuffield Health Joint Pain Programme – Joint Pain Programme | Nuffield Health
Connect Health Physiotherapy; self-referral – Milton Keynes – Connect Health
Brooklands Health Centre exercise classes – Activities | The Brooklands Centr (thebrooklandscentre.co.uk)
Middleton Pool Assisted Swim – 01908 610752