Pulse PCN’s enhanced access roundtable

Objectives

Launched in September 2024, Pulse PCN’s roundtable, Enhanced access: How it works for PCNs, practices and patients, brought together five experts from London to Cheshire, to discuss the approach taken by different PCNs to manage enhanced access and the impact on their practices.

Enhanced access was one of the major changes brought in with the PCN contract in 2022. It requires appointments to be offered between 6.30pm and 8pm Mondays to Fridays and between 9am and 5pm on Saturdays.

Our approach

Drawing on our database of trusted experts, Pulse PCN welcomed five key opinion leaders – four clinical directors and a PCN manager to take part in the discussion, chaired by our Editor, Victoria Vaughan.

Delegates discussed the service set up, workload, staffing, supervision and patient views in this lively discussion covering the ever-present issue of patient access.

They raised initial issues around access to medical records and sharing information between practices and while they agree that patients like it, and it’s here to stay, it ultimately adds up to more work for GPs. As Dr Gayan Perera, enhanced access lead at Medics PCN, Luton, says, ‘Overall, it does provide better access for patients, which is a positive. But there’s no way around it – the more access you give, the more work is generated.’

Pulse PCN editor Victoria Vaughan says: ‘This roundtable shows the different approaches and challenges PCNs face when delivering enhanced access. This service is crucial when it comes to accessing primary care and will no doubt have a role in the new government’s push to neighbourhood health centres.’

Following the roundtable, a report was written up and hosted on Pulse PCN. This was promoted to our community of GPs and PCN clinical directors, via our sister publications Pulse, Healthcare Leader, Management in Practice, Nursing in Practice and The Pharmacist, through a variety of tactics, including online advertising, emails, and social media.

Outcome

The roundtable report has generated good engagement since launch, with over 1,200 views.

Given that there are only around 1,250 PCN Clinical Directors, achieving over 1,200 views represents a significant level of interest and reach. This engagement highlights the relevance and impact of the content, underscoring its value within a small yet highly specialised community.

Pulse PCN’s quarterly roundtables examine the core tasks PCNs must deliver as part of the PCN Network DES and the work of the additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) staff they have hired into primary care.

Pulse PCN’s roundtable series is part of our comprehensive offering for our community of PCN clinical directors and their teams. They are hosted on the Pulse PCN hub making it easy to access these great clinician-led debates.

The latest roundtable discussed the controversial policy of including newly qualified GPs in the ARRS.

For the opportunity to reach our audience of decision-makers across PCNs through a variety of digital advertising options and bespoke content, please contact us today.