The PCN manager’s induction plan: What to know

Knowing what to include in your PCN manager or administrator’s induction plan is vital – Tara Humphrey gives her guidance

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on The Primary Care Network Specialists

Whilst the role of the Primary Care Network Manager and Administrator will vary from network to network, there is a repository of resources and key information that all Network Managers and Administrators will need to:

• Remain up to date on PCN guidance and requirements
• Gain leadership insights
• Build their PCN operating structure

This repository of key resources and prompts is ideal for PCNs creating an induction plan for their new network manager or administrator.

Key resources:

1. General Practice Updates by NHS England is a great place to keep up-to-date with activities and changes happening in general practice. This is where you will find the latest guidance. Start with the DES and Impact and Investment Fund for 2022/ 2023
2. The 2022/23 Network Contract Directed Enhanced Guidance document can be found here. This document is key and is referred to as the DES.
3. Ockham healthcare is a think tank and consultancy supporting best practice and new ways of working in General Practice. They provide weekly blogs and podcasts sharing, discussing and supporting innovations in general practice.
4. https://www.youtube.com/@eGPlearning. This YouTube channel breaks down all things PCN related from the viewpoint of a Clinical Director and GP Partner.
5. The THC Primary Care website. Here you will find a PCN Manager’s viewpoint on the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges that occur in a PCN.

What to include in your PCN Managers and Administrator’s Induction Plan?

Ideally, it would be great if you could provide your manager or administrator with the following information to help them get acquainted with the role, the team, the activities and services taking place in the network.

• The contact details of each practice and the mobile number(s) of your Clinical Director
• The projects being delivered
• Access to the systems they may need (e.g. EMIS, SystmOne, the workforce portal, their computer etc…..)
• The network’s business plan
• The network’s key stakeholders
• The network’s meeting schedule
• The channels the network uses to communicate
• How the network finances are managed
• Terms of reference / the network agreement to understand how the network makes decisions
• The network roles that are in place: Who are they? Where do they work? Who do they report to? What are they currently focusing on? What HR structure is in place?

It would also be useful to:

• Share how the PCN monitors its performance against the network’s contractual requirements and impact and investment fund targets
• Set up key meetings with the practice managers and the PCN team

Please note, you will need to be patient, resourceful and persistent if this information isn’t freely available.

Lastly, this guide is not conclusive, as the environment is ever-evolving. However, this should allow new network managers to get a head start.