Under the new NHS Long Term Plan released in January 2019, all GP practices are required to be a member of a local Primary Care Network (PCN), in the aim to connect the local primary care team.  These networks have been established to support primary care organisations, such as GP practices, in their operations and with the services they provide to patients. 

The networks are also responsible for the provision of integrated care and hence intend to involve community care staff and to employ clinicians to work in the area. Walsall has been divided into seven Primary Care Networks comprising of; North, East 1, East 2, South 1, South 2, West 1 and West 2. All Primary Care Networks have an appointed Clinical Director, these can be seen below.The seven Walsall Primary Care Networks are working closely together to standardise the work of the PCN’s in Walsall, with the aim to create a one-stop-shop for Walsall healthcare.

The British Medical Association (BMA) believes the networks will bring the following benefits to patients:

• resilient high quality care from local clinicians and health and care practitioners, with more services provided out of hospital and closer to home
• a more comprehensive and integrated set of services, that anticipate rising demand and support higher levels of self-care
• appropriate referrals and more ‘one-stop shop’ services where all patient needs can be met at the same time
• different care models for different population groups (such as frail older persons, adults with complex needs, children) that are person-centred rather than disease-centred.