Pulse PCN podcast launches

Pulse PCN has launched a new podcast to discuss the key issues facing PCNs across England.

The first Pulse PCN podcast episode looks at the PCN capacity and access pilot sites, which were launched in May 2024 to test ways of improving capacity in general practice to meet growing demand. Those taking part were expected to receive around £1.5m in additional funding.

Though NHS England previously said all PCNs would benefit from the pilots, with data shared across the networks, there has been little news from the sites so far.

This Pulse PCN podcast features an interview with the clinical director of one of the 22 pilot sites, Frome PCN in Somerset, to learn how the pilot is going, what outcomes the PCN has seen so far and any changes to their capacity and access.

Dr Neha Bhagi, clinical director of Frome PCN, shares on the podcast: ‘It’s given us lots of different opportunities in terms of enabling us to look at our clinical capacity, including recruiting additional staff from GPs to a pharmacist lead, we’ve also got an evaluation lead now and a health psychologist.’

Deputy editor at Pulse PCN, Beth Gault, asks Dr Bhagi about how staff have responded to the changes, what digital tools they are adopting and how the changes to the primary secondary care interface has been the ‘biggest success’ of the pilot so far.

Ms Gault said: ‘The pilot sites have almost been forgotten amid the 10 year plan, neighbourhood health and the changes the NHS is facing at the moment. So, it was great to speak to one of these sites to understand how the programme is working for their PCN and what impact it is having.

‘Dr Bhagi was really positive about the work they are doing, and hopeful that it will continue yielding results that can affect primary care more widely.’

The Pulse PCN Podcast is hosted on Buzzsprout but is available wherever you get your podcasts.

Pulse PCN is the award-winning brand for primary care networks, established and supported by leading GP brand Pulse. Launched in April 2021, we are the only brand dedicated to the work of this tranche of primary care leaders and staff working across neighbourhoods.

For details on our upcoming podcast episcodes, and sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch today.