Primary Care Network Support

Their objective is to expand the scope of services by integrating primary care with community, mental health, and social care services. This collaborative model offers the framework and funding necessary to develop locally tailored services which address the needs of the patients they serve.

MBPCC has a dedicated team to support PCNs and act as the host employer for the PCNs, employing from the roles available under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), including:

• Social Prescribing Link Workers
• Pharmacists
• Pharmacy Technicians
• First Contact Physiotherapists 
• Physician Associates

Monthly Clinical Directors meeting

MBPCC offers support to all PCNs by hosting a monthly Clinical Directors meeting, facilitating the sharing of best practices and promoting collaboration.  This includes administrative agendas, documents, minutes, and management support.

Clinical Directors support for the General Practice Partnership Agreement

The role of Primary Care Network Clinical Directors in supporting the General Practice Partnership Agreement (GPPA) includes providing strategic and clinical leadership to facilitate the effective implementation and development of network services, as outlined in the Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (DES). MBPCC offers management support to assist in executing actions on behalf of the Clinical Director representative.

Provision of Clinical Services on behalf of the PCN 

Where a PCN wants support, MBPCC develops clinical service delivery proposals. 

Examples of our previous work include: <to add>

Collective Negotiation 

When PCN’s feel the need for collective negotiation, MBPPC facilitates and lead negotiations on behalf of all PCN’s with other providers and commissioners as is required. 

Bid and Proposal Writing Services

We provide bid and proposal writing services for PCNs regarding Bay wide submissions and clinical service requirements with a proven track record of securing additional funding for member practices. 

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Increasing FIT testing within the Learning Disabilities (LD) population

Engaging with the Cancer Alliance to collaborate on increasing FIT testing within the Learning Disabilities (LD) population, a group that is often underserved in screening initiatives due to various additional challenges.

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Acute Respiratory Infection Service

Locality-based Acute Respiratory Infection Services (ARIS) aimed to address respiratory and related infections to reduce self-referrals to Accident & Emergency departments. ARIS offered additional capacity to support the pressures faced by primary and secondary care providers, aligning with the needs of our local population.

 The objectives of the project were:

• Enhance access to same-day urgent clinical assessments for acute respiratory infections in both adults and children to increase capacity and effectively meet demand across primary and secondary care settings, as well as ambulance services.
• Provide responsive same-day face-to-face assessments for acute respiratory infections within 2 to 4 hours of initial contact.
• Provide accessible provisions for patients at Place or sub place level.

Early Cancer Diagnosis Project

Expanding national cancer screening initiatives is essential, as early detection through screening significantly enhances treatment effectiveness and patient survival rates. Identifying cancers at earlier, more treatable stages can reduce the necessity for intensive interventions, improve patient quality of life, and ultimately save lives. 

The objectives of the project were to increase the number of cervical cancer screenings completed and the number of national bowel cancer fit tests returned. 

This project delivered: 

• 1,225 cervical cancer screenings 
• 3,750 bowel cancer fit tests encouragement telephone calls

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Employee Peer Support Programmes 

We provide a range of quarterly peer support groups for ARRS roles. These groups bring together professionals with shared job experiences providing mutual support through their personal insights. 

Participating in these sessions helps foster a resilient team environment, offers opportunities for support, expands awareness of broader community initiatives, facilitates discussions on effective service delivery, and promotes a sense of belonging within the larger community. 

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ARRS Social Prescribers, Health and Wellbeing Coaches and Care Co-ordinators Peer Support Group 

MBPCC brings these roles together in a quarterly virtual peer group to facilitate discussions on successes, challenges, and best practices within the Bay Area.

• Social prescribers are healthcare professionals who connect patients and non-medical, community-based activities and services to enhance their practical, social, and emotional well-being.  
• Health and well-being coaches assist individuals in setting personalised goals, building the confidence and skills necessary to achieve them, and making positive lifestyle changes. 
• Care coordinators develop, organise, and oversee a patient's care to ensure their needs are effectively met. They act as central points of contact, coordinating and monitoring various services in collaboration with healthcare professionals and support systems.  

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The meetings have featured a diverse range of topics and invited speakers, including: 

• Positive Steps - a charitable trust offering a broad spectrum of tailored services for children, young people, adults, and families. 
• Wellbeing techniques for individuals who find it challenging to relax or disconnect. 
• IPS Service (Individual Placement and Support Service) who support anyone who might be in work and on long term sick, or those whose job is at risk because their mental health is deteriorating. Their services include one-on-one personalised job guidance and ongoing support for individuals returning to work.

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ARRS Clinical Pharmacists Peer Support Group 

Clinical pharmacists are a vital component of the PCN Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. They collaborate closely with general practices to oversee medication management, process repeat prescriptions, conduct medication reviews, and assist GPs in managing patients with chronic conditions.  

The group meets in person on a quarterly basis and helps to foster a sense of community and belonging, providing a supportive environment to share perspectives with colleagues who understand the unique pressures of the profession. They offer a platform to discuss complex cases, exchange practical advice, reflect on practice, and learn from each other's experiences. They also strengthen collaboration and working relationships by encouraging trust and mutual respect among colleagues.

Lastly, peer support meetings serve as an important resource for promoting mental health and wellbeing, helping healthcare professionals manage stress and prevent burnout in demanding environments. 

The group has recently discussed:

• The important role that a Clinical Pharmacist can play in supporting general practices to successfully deliver the following LES 
• Referring patients into other ARRS roles 
• Quality and Outcomes Framework 

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Medication Optimisation LES: identifying opportunities to utilise more cost-effective medications, implementing efficient management of prescribing systems to reduce polypharmacy, overprescribing, and waste, minimising preventable adverse effects related to medication use, and collaborating effectively to reduce patient risk. 

Diabetes LES: management of insulin initiation, dose adjustment, and ongoing patient monitoring, reduce hospital admissions and enhance patient engagement and minimise missed appointments. 

Respiratory Diagnostic Bundle (Spirometry & FeNO) LES: equitable and timely access to high-quality respiratory diagnostic services through the provision of Spirometry and FeNO testing and interpretation.

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Referrals to other ARRS roles 

• First contact physiotherapists – to aid with patients who are an opioid risk by providing non-pharmacological support 
• Social Prescribers – support for patients who are over ordering or wasting medication 
• Care Coordinators – support to monitor patients after medication changes 
• Health and wellbeing coaches – support COPD and asthma patients needing inhaler support and coaching 
• Physician Associates – support patient who make frequent urgent requests and have an underlying condition 

Quality and Outcomes Framework (QoF) - aims to improve patient care, incentivise good practice and standardisation of care. Various domains can be supported through Clinical Pharmacists including atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, cholesterol and lipid management, heart failure, stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) - "mini-stroke" and diabetes.

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Financial Support for PCNs

We provide financial assistance to Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to help minimise administrative burdens at both the PCN and practice levels.

Support includes:

• PCN regular financial reports
• Invoice processing
• ARRS portal claims management
• Financial and accountant management of PCN bank account
• Managing all financial transactions on behalf of the PCNs
• Managing Xero accounts for each PCN, and producing annual accounts and reconciliations
• Monthly reporting of current and forecasted financial year end position
• System reporting on workforce to ICB quarterly
• Processing claims and payroll/pensions for all ARRS staff

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Line management Support

MBPCC recognises that PCNs and practices may have limited capacity to independently manage staffing requirements. Our line management support is complemented by the expertise of our HR, Finance, and PCN support teams. 

Our employment services aim to support PCNs to efficiently recruit and onboard ARRS personnel while reducing administrative workload. We offer comprehensive assistance to practices and PCNs, including the development of job specifications, interview process guidance, and management of onboarding procedures. We oversee employment contract administration and provide ad hoc HR support. These services are designed to enable practices and PCNs to deploy new team members effectively.

Our financial support ensures ARRS members are on the payroll, enrolled in pension plans, and that any expenses are paid, alongside facilitating claims through the ARRS portal. 

There are three teams collaborating to provide support for all PCNs and ARRS roles.

Recruitment support:

• Job description drafting
• Advertising the position
• Supporting shortlisting and interview invitations
• Attending interviews and updating candidates of the outcome
• Contracts and formal letters

Onboarding support:

• Employment checks and references
• DBS checks
• Professional registration checks
• References
• Access to relevant IT systems
• IT and mobile equipment ordering
• Agreeing start dates

Support for new starters:

• Inductions within the first few days of employment
• Support within the first two weeks offered to all new ARRS starters

Ongoing support:

• Appraisals - arranging, holding, attending & updating HR records
• Yearly professional registration checks 
• Mandatory training tracking and reporting
• Annual leave
• Sickness management and returning to work
• NWRS returns for ARRS roles employed by MBPCC 
• Investigations and disciplinaries
• Maternity leave 
• Flexible working and reasonable adjustments
• TUPE transfers

Leavers:

• From the resignation letter, collection of equipment through to an exit interview

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Reporting 

We provide PCNs with a monthly management information report, keeping them informed on all aspects of employment and line management processes.

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Visa Sponsorship 

MBPCC is a licensed sponsor under the tier 2 visa scheme and can offer certificates of sponsorship for tier 2 migrant workers seeking to work as GPs within PCNs.

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Primary Care Network Board Servicing 

Administration

We offer administrative support to the PCNs for their monthly board meetings, including management of invitations, agendas, relevant documents, and minutes. Representatives from MBPCC regularly attend these meetings to address any questions from the Board and provide relevant presentations as required.  

Direct Enhanced Service obligations

Support is provided annually to PCNs and practices to assist them in fulfilling their DES obligations, including an annual cancer review presentation. The requirements for the Direct Enhanced Service (DES) continually evolved over the last several years, making it challenging to stay informed about upcoming changes and deadlines. 

Our dedicated project management team supported PCNs in effectively planning, monitoring, and fulfilling their obligations, prioritising local objectives, and achieving KPIs.

As the NHS 10-Year Plan is implemented, our support will be adapted to better assist PCNs in achieving these goals.

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Data Analyst 

Since PCNs vary in size and available resources, we have customised our support to facilitate data analysis for Outcomes4Health, Tourism, Quality Improvements, and EMIS searches.

PCN Clinical Director and PCN Manager support

In addition to the monthly PCN Board support, we also hold regular monthly PCN catch-up sessions and provide support for two PCN Practice Manager meetings.

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