What is a Primary Care Network?
A primary care network is a group of practices who work together to focus on local patient care. They’ve been around since 2019 and 99 per cent of practices across England now work as part of one.
With increased demand and a shortage of clinical staff, practices find they can provide greater, more personalised care for patients when they can work together on certain services or issues.
Take a look at this short animation from NHS England which explains how they work.
Our Team
The Huntingdon PCN Team is made up from professionals from across the Primary Care spectrum, including Well Being Coaches, Social Prescribers, Care co-ordinators and Community Matrons.
PCN Training Team
Social Prescribers
Social prescribing is a way for local agencies to refer people to a link worker. Link workers give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me’ and taking a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. They connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
- JOANNE HUTCHINSON – Lead Social Prescriber
Community Matron
Community matrons are highly experienced, senior nurses who work closely with patients (mainly those with a serious long term condition or complex range of conditions) in a community setting to directly provide, plan and organise their care.
- SUE WARD – Community Matron
- TARYN PEART – Community Team HCA
- LISA THORPE – Community Team Enhanced HCA
- CARLY NEWELL – Phlebotomist
Clinical Pharmacists
Clinical Pharmacists work as part of the general practice team to resolve day-to-day medicine issues and consult with and treat patients directly. This includes providing extra help to manage long-term conditions, advice for those on multiple medications and better access to health checks. The role is pivotal to improving the quality of care and ensuring patient safety.
- KASIA LUKASZEWSKA – Clinical Pharmacist
- IZABELA GOLONKA – Clinical Pharmacist
- RACHEL ODEDRA – Clinical Pharmacist
- DENISE SKINNER – Primary Care Network Pharmacy Technician
Health & Wellbeing Coaches
Health and wellbeing coaches (HWBCs) will predominately use health coaching skills to support people to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become active participants in their care so that they can reach their own health and wellbeing goals. They may also provide access to self-management education, peer support and social prescribing.
- MICK BROSNAN – Health & Well Being Coach
- GEORGIE MCGAHEY – Health & Well Being Coach
Care Co-ordinators
Care Coordinators are part of a GP surgery’s multidisciplinary team, working alongside GP’s, social prescribing link workers (SPLWs), pharmacy staff, nurses, health and wellbeing coaches, surgery administrative staff etc. to provide and coordinate, an all-encompassing approach to personalised care and promoting and embedding the personalised care approach across the Primary Care Network.
- CAREN COLLYER – Care Coordinator for Social Prescribing Team
- KRISTINE SOMERS – Care Coordinator for Community Matron Team
- FI DIGBY – Care Coordinator for Clinical Pharmacy Team
- JACKIE BLACK – Care Coordinator for Clinical Pharmacy team
- TINA BROWN – Care Coordinator
- ROSIE JONES – Care Coordinator
- AMANDA HILLMAN – Care Coordinator
Other Staff
Huntingdon PCN also provides non-clinical support to our practices. These roles provide invaluable support to assist our various care and clinical staff in providing the best possible care to patients.
Our Digital Champion supports the PCN, practices and patients by offering assistance with digital services, administration and technology awareness.
- DR DUNCAN BLAKE – Clinical Director
- TRACY SHORTER – PCN Manager
- LINDSEY HUM – Quality Improvement Lead
- STUART HILPERT – Digital Champion