Prescribing business advice to GP practices in Devon

Key financial issues facing GP practices in Devon are being explored in a seminar being held in Barnstaple.

Attendees will be guided through the many challenges facing local Primary Care Networks (PCNs), which bring together GP practices and other healthcare providers to deliver coordinated care within communities.

A PCN is described by NHS England as a group of GP practices working closely together, aligned to other health and social care staff and organisations, providing integrated services to their local population.

The free education and update session is being run by Azets, a UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm which has 136 dedicated medical staff, working in conjunction with Sabrina Maines-Blatherwick, the North Devon Coastal PCN Lead Manager.

It takes place from 9am to 1pm at Litchdon Medical Centre on Tuesday, 22 September.

Luke Wheal, a medical specialist partner at Azets, which has its Devon offices in South Molton and Plymouth, said: “We’ll be touching upon a range of topics, from the incorporation of PCNs to taking care of the basics such as managing budgets and compliance.

“As the primary care landscape continues to evolve, this session provides a great opportunity to hear from sector specialists, share experiences with peers and discuss practical solutions to current challenges.”

The event is open to people working within a GP practice or PCN.

According to sector data, there are around 1,250 PCNs in England.

Primary care in Devon is made up of 121 general practice surgeries organised into 31 PCNs across the county, with around 5,000 people health and care professionals employed.