Our Primary Care Networks

Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are a key part of the NHS Long Term Plan, with general practices being a part of a network, typically covering 30,000–50,000 patients. They are small enough to provide the personal care valued by both patients and GPs, but large enough to have impact and economies of scale through better collaboration between practices and others in the local health and social care system.

Our PCN Support

We currently support 6 PCNs in Bolton:

Bolton Central
Breightmet and Little Lever
Chorley Roads
HWL (Halliwell, Waters Meeting and Lever Chambers)
Rumworth
Westhoughton

The networks provide the structure and funding for services to be developed locally, in response to the needs of the patients they serve.

The Federation has employed a dedicated team to support PCNs, which includes Network Managers and Deputy Network Managers who assist the Clinical Directors with the organisation and project management of the contractual specifications, including the Directed Enhanced Service, such as early cancer diagnosis, support to care homes and medicines optimisation.

The Federation also acts as the host employer for the PCNs, employing from the roles available under the Annual Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), including:

Social Prescribing Link Workers
Pharmacists
Pharmacy Technicians
First Contact Physiotherapists (in partnership with Bolton NHS FT)
Physician Associates
Nursing Associates
Mental Health Practitioners (in partnership with Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust).

If you’d like to know more about our Primary Care Networks or to arrange a meeting with a Network Manager, email our PCN Administrator Abby Edmonds