What is a PCN?
A PCN is a grouping of surgeries, typically covering a patient population of 30,000 to 50,000. PCNs build on existing primary care services and enable greater provision of proactive, personalised, coordinated and more integrated health and social care for people close to home. This includes working at scale to introduce new ways of working with shared resource, often funded directly by NHS England.
Which GP practices are part of North Colchester PCN?
North Colchester PCN is made up of five surgeries: Bluebell Surgery, Highwoods Surgery, Lawford Surgery, Mill Road Surgery and Winstree Medical Practice. If you are a patient at any of these surgeries you are able to access North Colchester PCN’s services.
What services does the PCN provide?
North Colchester PCN provides access to a wider team of healthcare professionals, such as clinical pharmacists, paramedic practitioners, physiotherapists, social prescribing link workers, care coordinators, mental health practitioners and more. These roles work alongside GPs and nurses to support patients. You can find out more about our team here.
How do I access North Colchester PCN’s services?
All surgeries within North Colchester PCN use an online query submission tool called ‘AccuRx’, simply visit the website of your surgery and select ‘Contact Us Online’ and submit a medical query asking for support from your chosen provider. Alternatively, patients can speak with a clinician during consultation about a referral to any of our PCN services, or can speak with reception face to face or via the telephone who can put you in touch with the appropriate pathway.
Do I need a GP referral to use these services?
This depends on the service. Many PCN services do not require a GP referral, however the more specialist services such as mental health support and clinical pharmacists will require screening from a clinician which can be done via each surgery’s website or by speaking with reception.
Will I still see my GP as usual?
Yes. North Colchester PCN’s goal is to offer alternative ways to resolve patient queries to allow for increased access for core medical appointments such as GPs and Nurse Practitioners. Our PCN services work alongside GPs to ensure holistic support is offered via the most appropriate avenue.
Does accessing these services cost?
No - all services provided by North Colchester PCN are free of charge providing you are a patient at one of the five member surgeries.
How do I give feedback about North Colchester PCN’s services?
We encourage all feedback both good and bad to be fed back to the team to ensure we can offer a service that meets the demand and expectations of our patient base. If you would like to provide feedback on any of North Colchester PCN’s services, please submit the contact form here.