The purpose of the PCN is to align primary care with the NHS’ Long-Term Plan which promised to provide more healthcare staff working in and with GP practices, so that people can get an appointment with the right professional depending on their needs. Practices were encouraged to form a close working relationship with other practices in their geographical area to create a shared patient population of between 30,000 and 50,000 – hence the joint working between the Church Street and Newbury Street Practices.
The partners and practice managers (of both Church St and Newbury St) and the newly appointed operations manager, form the Executive Committee for Wantage PCN. They meet monthly to review and agree the strategic development of the PCN, its finances, whether it is meeting the key performance indicators (KPIs) and discuss any major and significant updates to the contract. Currently the Wantage PCN team consists of 2 clinical pharmacists, 1 pharmacy technician, 1 physiotherapist, 2 social prescribers, 1 paramedic,1 mental health practitioner and 1 health and well-being coach.
