PCN Network Contract DES 2024/25

Following the publication of the letter from NHS England on 28 February, setting out the arrangements for the GP contract in 2024/25, on 28 March 2024, the Network Contract DES, Contract specification 2024/25 – PCN requirements and entitlements for 2024/25 was published.

Alongside the specification sits associated guidance, which this year for the first time is separated into two parts:

• Network contract directed enhanced service (DES) – guidance for 2024/25 in England – part A: clinical and support services (section 8)
• Network Contract DES 2024/25: part B guidance: non-clinical

The Network Contract DES details the following changes to PCNs for the year ahead:

Integrated Neighbourhood Team (INT)

• The INT has been added to the commonly used terms and there is an emphasis on PCNs playing an important part in them.

Service requirements

• The majority of service specifications are now included in a single overarching specification – section 8.1
• Four core functions are now described:
  • co-ordinate, organise and deploy shared resources to support and improve resilience and care delivery at both PCN and practice level
  • improve health outcomes for its patients through effective population health management and reducing health inequalities
  • target resource and efforts in the most effective way to meet patient need, which includes delivering proactive care
  • collaborate with non-GP providers to provide better care, as part of an integrated neighbourhood team

  Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS)

  • Enhanced nurses added
  • Removal of caps on all other direct patient care roles
  • Other non-nurse and non-doctor MDT roles now allowed to be recruited, subject to agreement with the integrated care board (ICB)
  • Increased flexibility to recruit mental health practitioners (MHPs) – employment / engagement continues to be through the mental health provider
  • Caps on advanced practitioners removed
  • Reimbursement for the time personalised care roles undertake training or apprenticeships now claimable

  Financial entitlements

  • No additional funding
  • Core PCN funding, clinical director payment and PCN leadership and management payment with flexibility given to the PCN to distribute this as they feel appropriate

  Investment and Impact Fund (IIF)

  • Reduce the from five to two the number of indicators under the Investment and Impact Fund. The retained indicators are:
    • Learning disability health checks
    • The use of FIT testing in cancer referral pathways

    Capacity and Access Improvement Payment (CAIP)

    • Now payable at the point confirmation that PCNs meet criteria is received
      • Self-declaration by clinical director required improvement has been achieved across all Core Network Practices of the PCN in the PCN:
        • better digital telephony;
        • simpler online requests; and
        • faster care navigation, assessment and response.

        Last Updated on 3 April 2024

        Post Views: 1,545

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        Posted on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 PCC News