Are they still relevant in 2026?
Evolution, or erasure?
The publication of the NHS 10-year Plan in 2025, which promotes the shift to Neighbourhood health models means that PCNs will change.
Their footprint may form the baseline for the concept of a Neighbourhood which will provide more integrated care with a wider range of care providers. This includes community trusts, social care, the voluntary sector and acute hospitals. The idea is that they all work together around the needs of the local population.
Why were they set up?
Primary Care Networks were intended as a way for several general practices to collaborate. The idea was to:
- offer more co-ordinated services,
- provide better ways for patients to access a wider range of health care professionals.
They will also make more use of digital services.
Primary Care Networks are able to employ a range of clinical and health professionals who work across some or all of the practices in a network. These include: Clinical Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Physicians Associates, Social Prescribers, Paramedics and Physiotherapists.
They were part of the January 2019 NHS England 10-year plan for the NHS.
There are six PCNs that cover the Oxford city area.
