Non-urgent advice: The Chalfonts Primary Care Network
These are:
– The Allan Practice
– The Hall Practice
– The Misbourne Surgery
Our PCN Clinical Director is Dr Ran Hettiaratchi.
For more information on PCNs please see the animation and information below.
Primary Care Networks
What is a Primary Care Network (PCN)?
Since the NHS was established in 1948, the population has grown and people are living longer. More people now live with long-term health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or mental health challenges, which means they may need to use local health services more often.
To better meet these needs, GP practices are working together with other local health and care services—including community health, mental health, social care, pharmacies, hospitals, and voluntary organisations—forming groups called Primary Care Networks (PCNs).
PCNs build on the services you already receive from your GP and local practice. They help provide more proactive, personalised, and joined-up care that is better coordinated across different health and social care providers. Instead of just responding to problems as they arise, PCNs aim to support you and your community’s health in a more planned and preventative way.
PCNs usually cover communities of around 30,000 to 50,000 people. This size allows them to offer the personal care patients value, while also benefiting from working together to improve services and share resources.
Across England, all GP practices are encouraged to be part of a PCN to ensure everyone has access to joined-up, high-quality care close to home.
What is Social Prescribing?
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 well-being. They connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
Link workers also support existing community groups to be accessible and sustainable, and help people to start new groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.
Social prescribing works for a wide range of people, including people:
- with one or more long-term conditions
- who need support with their mental health
- who are lonely or isolated
- who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.
First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs)
Physiotherapy in Chalfonts Primary Care Network
Musculoskeletal (MSK) health issues are the most common cause of repeat GP appointments and account for around 1 in 5 of all GP appointments. Most of them can be dealt with effectively by a physiotherapist without any need to see the GP.
What is a musculoskeletal first contact physiotherapist?
- First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs) are advanced practitioners working within primary care with extensive expertise in the clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions.
- FCPs see patients with (suspected or diagnosed) MSK conditions as the first point of contact, instead of a GP, and can be accessed directly by contacting the practice’s reception.
What do FCPs do during appointments?
- A typical FCP appointment involves assessment, diagnosis and first-line treatment. FCPs can also refer patients for a course of physiotherapy treatment, using the same pathways as GPs.
- As a person-centred service, most appointments include self-management advice, social prescribing, and discussions about physical activity and fitness for work.
How long are FCP appointments?
FCP appointments are longer than typical GP appointments and 20 minute appointments allow for safe and effective consultation.
How can appointments be booked?
As FCPs work with the practice, appointments can be made via your practice