Primary care networks will ‘not normally’ cross CCG, STP or ‘integrated care systems’ boundaries, NHS England has said.
As part of the new five-year GP contract, practices will be provided with extra funding to join networks, which will see groups of practices serve 30-50,000 patients based on geography.
BMA GP Committee chair Dr Richard Vautrey previously told our sister publication Pulse where this story was first published, that networks could overlap over one another and go over a CCG boundary, as long as there are no gaps inbetween and where the geography ‘makes sense’.
But new guidance released on Friday by NHS England said networks would ‘not normally cross CCG, STP or Integrated Care System (ICS) boundaries’ – though there will be some exceptions.
The guidance states: ‘The network area must cover a boundary that makes sense to its: (a) constituent members (b) other community-based providers who configure their teams accordingly and (c) the local community, and would normally cover a geographically contiguous area.
‘PCNs would not normally cross CCG, STP or ICS boundaries, but there may be exceptions to this such as where the practice boundary, or branch surgery, crosses the current CCG boundaries.’
Under the agreements, commissioners will have between 16 and 31 May to confirm network coverage – which must be submitted by the networks by 15 May – and ensure all patients are covered.
‘The network area will be agreed with commissioners through the registration process, on behalf of the ICS or STP. Commissioners will not unreasonably reject the proposed network area,’ the guidance added.
Last month, NHS England’s acting director for primary care Dr Nikkita Kanani told delegates at Pulse Live, an event for GPs organised by Pulse and Healthcare Leader publisher Cogora, that networks could be a bit smaller or bigger than 30,000-50,000, saying that relationships prevail over geographies.
As reported by Pulse, it has emerged that CCGs in some areas of England have been trying to ‘manipulate’ new primary care networks to ensure they align with their own plans.
GPs told Pulse a number of CCGs have been trying to influence how networks are set up, including telling practices which GP should become their clinical director.
Timetable for network contract DES introduction
January to April 2019: Primary care networks prepare to meet the Network Contract DES registration requirements
By 29 Mar 2019: NHS England and GPC England jointly issue the Network Agreement and 2019/20 Network Contract DES
By 15 May 2019: All primary care networks submit registration information to their CCG
By 31 May 2019: CCGs confirm network coverage and approve variation to GMS, PMS and APMS contracts
Early Jun: NHS England and GPC England jointly work with CCGs and LMCs to resolve any issues
1 Jul 2019: Network Contract DES goes live across 100% of the country
Jul 2019 to Mar 2020: National entitlements under the 2019/20 Network Contract start:
- year 1 of the additional workforce reimbursement scheme
- ongoing support funding for the clinical director
- ongoing £1.50/head from CCG allocations
Apr 2020 onwards: National Network Services start under the 2020/21 Network Contract DES
Source: A five-year framework for GP contract reform to implement The NHS Long Term Plan
This story was originally published on our sister publication Pulse
