23 GP practices in B&NES have joined together as six Primary Care Networks to share expertise and resources.
The six networks will work across B&NES with the aim of improving proactive, personalised and coordinated care for local people and addressing the serious challenges faced by General Practice.
Over the next five years, each Primary Care Network will be given the opportunity to develop their teams of healthcare professionals to include staff such as GPs, district nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, physiotherapists, physician associates, and staff working in social care or the voluntary sector. Each network will have to decide how best to use this investment and which healthcare professionals best help them deliver care to their local populations. They may choose to employ a social prescriber to help direct people to a range of non–clinical services like exercise activities, community groups and social clubs, so that people can take greater control of their own health and stay well.
Primary Care Networks will also be working closely with hospitals, community services, public health and the council to join up health and care services and enable a greater focus on prevention of ill health.
Watch this explanatory video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W19DtEsc8Ys&feature=youtu.be
How could this affect you?
- You may be offered an appointment or be seen by a range of different health professionals which the GP’s feel are best able to meet your needs. This will hopefully mean that GPs will have more time to offer appointments to those who need to see a doctor specifically.
- A greater focus on prevention – community based activities will help people live healthier lives. This will help relieve pressures on hospitals too.
Services will be more cost effective by joining up health and care providers ,
- A much needed additional investment in primary care. £900 million in funding to support the operation of Primary Care Networks and staffing, plus £1.8 billion in additional funding for increased services.
The six Primary Care Networks in B&NES are:
| Primary Care Network | Population size | GP Practices | Clinical Director |
| Bath Independents | 26,000 | Batheaston, Fairfield Park, Widcombe | Dr Daisy Curling |
| Minerva | 35,000 | Combe Down, Grosvenor, Newbridge, Rush Hill and Weston, St Michael’s Partnership | Dr Sam Robinson |
| Heart of Bath | 27,000 | Merged practices of: St James’, Oldfield, Number 18, Catherine Cottage | Dr Arun Gadhok |
| Three Valleys
Health |
67,000 | Hope House, Westfield, St Chad’s and Chilcompton, Somerton, St Mary’s, Hillcrest, Elm Hayes, Harptree, Chew Medical | Dr Elizabeth Hersch |
| Keynsham | 25,000 | St Augustine’s, Temple House, Westview | Dr Charles Bleakley |
| Unity Medical Group | 30,000 | University Medical Centre, Monmouth, Pulteney | Dr James Brooks |
Biographies for each Clinical Director can be found here.
More information about Primary Care Networks can be found here.
October 2019
