CPNEN PCN lead progress report to date

Community Pharmacy PCN Leads- evolving well but challenging.

Updated July 2024

Over the last 12 months the PCN’s have continued to develop and grow across the North of Tyne area and are now fast establishing themselves as an integral part of streamlining the patient journey. This development has been demonstrated within the Gp practices and Community Pharmacies with stronger links evolving and the PCN’s having a much greater presence in the primary care system.

We continue to be one of the few areas in the Northeast and North Cumbria ICB to maintain and offer support to PCN Leads.

We now have 18 PCN Lead posts in the North of Tyne (numbers increasing slightly with the formation of the new Northumbria Primary Care PCN)

We are pleased to report that for the first time in 4 years we now have a full complement with PCN Lead- with 18 fully appointed Leads as of July 2024.

A massive thank you to those who have continued in their roles and to the new PCN Leads who have moved into the role over the last few months. It can be at times a very challenging role, as well as a rewarding one, and we recognise this particularly in terms of the frustrations they can experience managing their time and commitments to their pharmacies.

Engagement from constituent pharmacies is still proving to be a challenge. I would also like to convey a huge thank you to all pharmacies who have contributed over the last 12 months and point out that to continue this success and evolve with the developments we all need to contribute and ensure that community pharmacy is an essential spoke in the wheel of PCN development and vital in improving patient care.

Claims for the back fill funding secured from NHS England to allow the PCN Leads time out from pharmacies has unfortunately not been utilised as frequently as we had hoped. This is largely due to work force issues and the inability to access cost effective locums.

The other big success story of the year was the announcement that HEE/NHS England rolled out the pilot 6-month Leadership Development Programme from last year for all PCN Leads in the area. This Programme has been specifically formulated to develop PCN Leads leadership and communication skills for the role.

72% of CPENE Leads have successfully completed the NHS Leadership Development Programme-providing them with the skills and tools required to maximise their success  in the Lead role- for further details please refer to the Resource Centre tab.