Primary care networks are coming

If there was an award for innovative ways of sending GP partners over the edge, primary care networks (PCNs) would win—and not because there’s a lack of competition. Other entries this year include Capita, the NHS e-referrals service, Babylon, and people who sit in meetings referring to how many different professional hats they wear.

PCNs are what everyone in primary care is talking about. GP practices have until mid-May to form networks of practices, which cover a population of between 30 000 and 50 000 patients. Over five years, money will be poured into these …