PCN draft service specifications published
Written by admin on Monday 30th December 2019
NHS England and NHS Improvement has published draft service specifications for primary care networks (PCNs) together with a request for contractors to participate in a consultation exercise to collate feedback
The document, which appeared just before Christmas, acknowledges the risk of “overburdening” PCNs at the early stages of development and says that the new requirements will be phased-in “in a way that is commensurate with the capacity available”. Negotiations about the detail of the service specs are ongoing with the BMA with a final version due in “early” 2020 to be followed by further guidance.
PCNs will be required to implement only two of the first five specs in full in 2020/21:
- structured medication reviews
- enhanced care in care homes
For the next three – anticipatory care, personalised care and early cancer diagnosis – the document sets out a 'headline trajectory for the requirements over the next four years'.
NHSE/I is seeking views on the specifications in a consultation exercise that runs until 15 January and has scheduled “engagement webinars” in the first half of the month.
Feedback should be sent to: england.networkscontract@nhs.net