PCNs & working at scale

256 posts across the blog, other publications and LinkedIn · all articles

30 Jul 2026 How GPs are paid: the 2026 update A full rebuild of this site's most-read piece: where every pound of GP practice funding comes from in 2026, where it goes, and why profit = income minus expenses still explains everything.
4 Jul 2026 Not enough people are talking about Blinx Solutions Analytics dashboard in their PACO… LinkedIn Praises the Blinx Solutions PACO analytics dashboard for fast PCN-wide queries across millions of records.
3 Jun 2026 If you want to try Vibe Coding - Use GIT LinkedIn Why anyone letting AI write code should learn git first: snapshot-and-rollback protects vibe-coding experiments, and AI assistants can run the commands for you.
15 Apr 2026 Should we invest in an AI Machine? LinkedIn Explores running local AI models with Ollama on Mac hardware and asks whether each neighbourhood should own an AI service for data analysis and risk stratification, keeping patient data on-site.
13 Apr 2026 Stop Starting From Scratch: Use Projects LinkedIn Explains how AI Projects give ongoing work persistent context — an instructions file, reference documents and a living knowledge base — so serious collaboration stops restarting from scratch.
4 Apr 2026 Neighbourhood Working - Part 2 LinkedIn Argues that capitation gives general practice a structural incentive for prevention, so PCNs should set the population health agenda using individual-level data rather than postcode proxies.
3 Apr 2026 Neighbourhood Working - Part 1 LinkedIn Argues neighbourhood working is being shaped by acute trusts' short-term cost priorities, citing Geoffrey Rose on middle-risk prevention and the limits of area targeting.
18 Mar 2026 Building Primary Care Tools Without Coding: An AI Experiment LinkedIn A conference poster on using AI as a programming collaborator so clinicians can build in-practice data analysis tools, applied to heart failure register validation in SMASH PCN.
20 Oct 2025 From Competition to Collaboration LinkedIn Proposes provider collaboratives with shared workforce, governance and pooled funding to deliver commercial trials at scale, formalised by joint venture agreements.
13 Aug 2025 Any informatics experts out there interested in a short term commision? LinkedIn Seeks an informatics specialist for a short commission turning the PCN's many data sources into comparative infographics rather than spreadsheets.
10 Aug 2025 Clinical Trials LinkedIn Argues that training ever more practices to compete for scarce commercial trial places is self-defeating, proposing collaborative lead-site models with satellite practices instead.
8 Aug 2025 Announcement today below - my PCN is pushing NHS app uptake..is yours?' LinkedIn Notes that from September the NHS Cervical Screening Programme will send negative results via the NHS App, as his PCN drives uptake.
7 Aug 2025 Very interesting summary sent to me - apparently of BMA's view of new contract:' LinkedIn Summarises the BMA's reported position on the new GP contract, covering GMS's survival, Single Neighbourhood Providers and funding doubts.
25 Jun 2025 Have we just seen the end of PCNs? LinkedIn Asks whether PCNs are ending, replaced by single and multi-neighbourhood providers, and questions who will run and commission them.
27 Mar 2025 A great example of PCN working with IT. LinkedIn Describes how his DTL used Blinx Solutions' Paco Connect to run a cross-practice search and centralised booking for a PCN-wide Covid booster campaign.
6 Mar 2025 Is the writing on the wall for companies providing services to PCNs with remote ARRS… LinkedIn Questions the future of PCN remote ARRS providers as looser rules let practices employ staff directly.
6 Mar 2025 What's in the latest contract LinkedIn Reviews the 2025 GP contract's CVD focus, risk stratification and access reforms, noting little clarity on integrated teams or the PCN role and no sign the profession actually loves the deal.
4 Mar 2025 Thanks Andrew Whiteley!' LinkedIn Announces an advisory role with Lexacom on their ambient AI, which he sees as a game changer for primary care.
19 Feb 2025 If you are running a PCN have you thought of getting some support? LinkedIn
22 Jan 2025 Standardising Referrals LinkedIn Recommends Accenda's Gateway product, which front-ends eRS with standardised referral templates auto-built from coded data, as an overlooked answer to the elective recovery referrals debate.
17 Jan 2025 Time for GP Provider Collaboratives? LinkedIn Floats a big idea: private equity backing at-scale GP provider collaboratives that use GPs with special interests to deliver intermediate-level elective work and the left shift, with equity stakes to attract them.
30 Dec 2024 Data Visualization LinkedIn A request for examples of practice or PCN population segmentation visualisations, along NAPC or Johns Hopkins models, beyond the unhelpful 'village of 100' approach.
13 Dec 2024 My PCN is looking for a DTL to join our team! LinkedIn
21 Sept 2024 Im speaking at Best Practice! LinkedIn Previews his Best Practice talk reflecting on five years as a PCN clinical director, with advice for those considering the role.
19 Sept 2024 Thanks for your contribution to our conference - we are hoping to put on another one next… LinkedIn Flags a planned conference for PCN clinical directors and managers on using ARRS underspend and slippage money.
20 Jun 2024 Is this the end of GP Federations? LinkedIn Disagrees with predictions of GP federations' demise, arguing they provide governance and project support that small PCNs lack, and that working at scale is the future.
7 Jun 2024 Interesting morning welcoming and meeting Graham Urwin Cheshire & Mersey ICB Chief Exec… LinkedIn Reports hosting Cheshire & Mersey ICB and NHS England leaders at his practice to discuss working at scale, PCNs and IT.
7 May 2024 We have some excellent talks at the conference this year including a keynote from Tim… LinkedIn Previews conference talks including a keynote from NHS England's Tim Caroe, a UCL Partners CVD toolkit and Dr Clare Sieber on managing PCN conflict.
24 Apr 2024 My PCN has been running a women’s health hub for a while now and was interested to see… LinkedIn Shares news on women's health hubs, questioning the one-per-ICB model given his PCN already runs one.
28 Mar 2024 Network DES 24/25 out for PCNs' LinkedIn
19 Mar 2024 Today at 10 o'clock is our next DTL online forum/webinar. LinkedIn Promotes a free DTL online forum featuring a GP contract update and demos of two products for those interested in digital transformation.
15 Mar 2024 My PCN Manager Luisa Garlick and I were asked to take part in a Pulse Roundtable… LinkedIn Neil and PCN manager Luisa Garlick join a Pulse roundtable on PCN digital transformation, where he notes unlimited demand for DTL staff.
12 Mar 2024 My co-director Michael Pyrah usually produces a summary document of any relevant… LinkedIn Shares co-director Michael Pyrah's summary of the latest GP contract letter, and offers Howbeck consultancy and bid-writing support.
11 Mar 2024 What does the end of the 5 year deal mean? LinkedIn Urges PCNs to review value for money from ARRS roles now the five-year deal and funding growth have ended, weighing favourites like pharmacists and MSK FCPs and floating a DTL per practice.
5 Mar 2024 if your practice for PCN is interested in our GDPR service - get in touch! LinkedIn
28 Feb 2024 NHS E letter re GP contract PCN DES 24-25 out. LinkedIn
25 Jan 2024 Medical Examiners System LinkedIn Accenda's Gateway software automatically builds the form the new Medical Examiners system requires for each death, cutting the admin burden of this unfunded work.
25 Jan 2024 A few years ago I went on a course at The Success Factory run by the amazing Graham… LinkedIn Recommends Graham Wilson's 6Ps project framework — Purpose, Principles, People, Process, Performance, Pride — now used by his PCN team.
29 Dec 2023 My PCN's co-DTL Caroline Acuda has put together this guide for clinicians to show them… LinkedIn Shares a guide on how EMIS entries appear in the NHS App, flagging exposed third-party emails and internal session names.
28 Dec 2023 For those of us in the UK doing PCNs and Care communities and thinking about population… LinkedIn Shares a US article on how neighbourhood factors shape cardiovascular health, touching on risk prediction and inequalities.
22 Dec 2023 Great meeting with Ian Cooper his Gateway software for referrals looks amazing and should… LinkedIn Praises Ian Cooper's Gateway referral software, which Smash PCN will use for eRS and clever internal referrals and advice services.
2 Nov 2023 Cloud based telephony is a hot topic for many PCNs - come listen to our experiences in… LinkedIn Invites PCNs to hear Cheshire's early-adopter experience of cloud-based telephony after a legacy PCT system switch-off.
31 Oct 2023 Tickets still available. LinkedIn
17 Oct 2023 Had a demo of “See the signs” today https://cthesigns.co.uk' LinkedIn Reviews a demo of See the Signs, covering referral forms, symptom risk assessment and cancer tracking.
16 Oct 2023 Outsourcing / Insourcing?' LinkedIn Asks whether practices have outsourced coding and admin work or set up PCN hub services amid staff turnover and emerging AI.
11 Oct 2023 Although aimed at DTLs - and PCN GP CDs or PCN managers are welcome as are any GPs or PMs… LinkedIn
3 Oct 2023 One of my contacts: a Journalist working for Pulse magazine is keen to talk to some DTL's… LinkedIn Relays a Pulse journalist's request to interview PCN digital and transformation leads about their first year changing primary care.
12 Sept 2023 We have our next online webinar next Tuesday and we are concentrating on patient… LinkedIn Previews a webinar on patient registration, the NHS App and front-of-house, plus an update on the DTL conference and sponsors.
7 Sept 2023 This is shaping up to be a really good event. LinkedIn Promotes a not-for-profit event for PCN digital transformation leads showcasing primary care innovation, with sponsor places left.
5 Sept 2023 Really pleased to be one of the first PCNs to be using Dr Morton's remote Gynae service. LinkedIn Reports his PCN's remote gynaecology service is working well, keeping patients and clinicians happy while reducing hospital referrals.
20 Jul 2023 Just posted this to the new DTL group that I’ve setup - if you are a DTL lead or PCN… LinkedIn Announces a new digital transformation lead network group for DTLs, PCN managers and clinical directors to join.
24 May 2023 PCN Digital Transformation Leads Forum LinkedIn Launches an informal virtual network for PCN Digital Transformation Leads to share ideas, best practice and frustrations, with poster sessions and demos mooted for later meetings.
24 May 2023 GPAD Matching LinkedIn Details the mess found when checking GPAD appointment-category mapping across a PCN: miscoded clinics, ARRS staff confusion, rival definitions of triage and shaky IIF indicators.
28 Apr 2023 We are still looking for a few more sponsors for our inaugural Physicians Associate… LinkedIn Seeks sponsors for Howbeck's inaugural Physicians Associate Conference at Keele on 7-8 June, outlining the audience and PA roles on show.
5 Apr 2023 Want some advice on how to pitch to PCNs... LinkedIn
30 Mar 2023 Capacity and Access Framework LinkedIn Why paying PCNs to improve on a patient-experience baseline risks penalising high performers — regression to the mean, small samples and awkward income splits between practices.
24 Mar 2023 Really good meeting with Blinx Healthcare this am - having a free trial of their product… LinkedIn
9 Mar 2023 Is it time to break the link between ARRS and New Roles? LinkedIn Asks whether ARRS funding should be decoupled from prescribed roles, whether practices should fund new roles from GMS money, and whether ICBs should top up PCN budgets.
28 Jan 2023 Yesterday got a look at the new IIF reporting module in Edenbridge APEX. LinkedIn First impressions of the new IIF reporting module in Edenbridge's Apex, praising its overnight automatic updates.
26 Jan 2023 Best buys for available funds LinkedIn Suggests equipment and education as lasting uses for year-end capital pots, recommending a PCN-wide bulk purchase of Agilio's iLearn training package linked to GPTeamNet.
11 Jan 2023 GP Practices working at scale LinkedIn Argues shared back-office work like coding and prescriptions is blocked by the lack of enterprise clinical-system access, calling for a supra-view login across practices.
21 Dec 2022 GP Federation Distribution List Nightmare LinkedIn Asks whether any product lets federation members self-register their roles and interests so newsletters reach the right people, after out-of-date distribution lists kept misfiring emails.
13 Dec 2022 Here is a graph from Apex of the dramatic increase in workload from 'Strep' cases my PCN… LinkedIn Shares an Apex graph of surging strep workload and argues e-prescribing should carry live pharmacy stock information for antibiotics.
23 Sept 2022 My PCN had a great session with Ben Hampshire from Edenbridge APEX - given the DH are… LinkedIn How Edenbridge's APEX showed his PCN was undercounting GP activity in GPAD data, and let him show live activity to the acute trust.
23 Sept 2022 GPs/PCNs are going to be allowed to employ digital leads under Aroles funding. LinkedIn Discusses ARRS funding for PCN digital leads, rumoured at senior 8a level, and whether smaller networks will want the role.
26 May 2022 Miriam and Vicki from Libera Partners have done a couple of great OD sessions for us in… LinkedIn Recommends Libera Partners for organisational development after their sessions with SMASH PCN.
20 Apr 2022 Further to a previous post we have now updated our advice on the new GP contract and in… LinkedIn Shares an updated guide to the new GP contract and PCN DES, refreshed with information current to April 2022.
7 Apr 2022 Support for PCNs in delivering Enhanced Access LinkedIn A Howbeck Healthcare case study on helping ten PCNs deliver Enhanced Access with a practice-based model, EMIS enterprise consultations and Apex activity monitoring.
6 Apr 2022 Pulse Intelligence publish article on 'tips for developing a pharmacy POD service' Signposts his Pulse Intelligence article advising PCNs on setting up a Prescription Ordering Direct service to cut costs and reduce medicine waste.
31 Mar 2022 One of my articles has just been published in Pulse Intelligence' LinkedIn
31 Mar 2022 Briefing document for PCNs and practices - new contracts and regulations LinkedIn Shares a Howbeck Healthcare briefing on the 2022 PCN and practice contract changes, arguing the line between PCN and practice is blurring and practices must engage.
25 Mar 2022 This is a really nice report pulled from Apex (from Edenbridge) for our local GP… LinkedIn Shares an Edenbridge Apex report on two years of practice activity produced for the local GP federation.
10 Feb 2022 Miriam and Libera Partners are working with me in my PCN helping us develop and grow. LinkedIn
13 Jan 2022 For PCNs and GP practices LinkedIn
11 Jan 2022 Ok - my GP federation in South Cheshire is looking to 'hire' a BI/Data… LinkedIn Advertises for a contract BI and data visualisation analyst with NHS and primary care data experience to work with the South Cheshire federation.
20 Dec 2021 Since the challenge to do all boosters by end of dec - my amazing PCN (both the central… LinkedIn Celebrates the PCN delivering over 10,000 Covid boosters in December amid the end-of-year challenge.
2 Nov 2021 How to... meet your IT needs Pulse PCN Practical tips for building a PCN IT strategy: audit hardware, align clinical systems and add-ons, share staff skills, use business intelligence tools and hire dedicated IT support.
14 Oct 2021 this report is excellent and can be used at practice pcn and wider footprints LinkedIn
18 Aug 2021 Really interesting meeting with Matt Taylor from Sano Physiotherapy Ltd about their PCN… LinkedIn Reports a promising meeting with Sano Physiotherapy about their PCN first-contact-practitioner MSK service.
13 Aug 2021 Community Pharmacy and PCNs LinkedIn Shares a 2018 NAPC document on how community pharmacies and PCNs or GP practices can work together, flagged as worth a read.
24 Jul 2021 SMASH PCN to trial app from PAM Wellbeing LinkedIn A brief note that, as PCN clinical director, Neil has agreed to trial the PAM Wellbeing mental health app across the SMASH primary care network.
23 Jul 2021 I've spoken with Penny Bale about this app and it looks good. LinkedIn
21 Jul 2021 PCN CDs be aware Apex can help you track performance on phase 3 of the COVID Vaccination… LinkedIn
9 Jul 2021 Really interesting stuff here on GP Access: https://lnkd.in/dDYP9Da' LinkedIn Weighs claims about GP access that demand is finite and predictable, arguing that working at scale smooths capacity variation.
8 Jul 2021 Interesting meeting with Dr Edwin Rajadurai (MBBS) from Servca - does NHS indemnity cover… LinkedIn Reports a meeting with Servca's Dr Edwin Rajadurai on whether NHS indemnity and traditional insurers cover new at-scale, cross-practice working.
7 Jul 2021 Great meeting with Penny Bale from PAM Wellbeing - they have an good looking Digital… LinkedIn Notes a meeting with PAM Wellbeing over a mental-health app the author's PCN plans to trial.
21 May 2021 New Practice manager wanted at my surgery - SandbachGPs/Ashfields PCC -… LinkedIn Advertises for a practice manager at his 26,500-patient, ten-partner Sandbach practice, outlining its scale, services and post-Covid challenges.
23 Apr 2021 Just had a demo of OneContact by Thomas Andrew Porteus from Iatro and Matt Sweeney from… LinkedIn Reviews a OneContact demo, praising its online forms for QOF and other schemes at a low price.
31 Mar 2021 OK just had a demo of Medloop Ltd. LinkedIn Reviews a Medloop demo, praising its PCN-aware approach to streamlining chronic disease management across practices.
17 Mar 2021 Another view: of Covid-19 vaccination centres Lessons from running PCN Covid vaccination sites delivering 20,000 doses: the technical setup effort, the NHS's chaotic mix of collaboration tools, and a call to fund IT roles via ARRS.
11 Mar 2021 My PCN uses Mark's Holter Service (not self fit - we pay practices to fit and remove… LinkedIn Notes his PCN's use of Mark's Holter monitoring service, paying practices to fit and remove devices, with strong uptake.
4 Mar 2021 My latest DigitalHealth Column is out - some of the fun with IT we have had setting up 2… LinkedIn
4 Mar 2021 My latest DigitalHealth Column is out - some of the fun with IT we have had setting up 2… LinkedIn Points to his Digital Health column recounting the IT challenges of setting up two Covid vaccination centres.
3 Mar 2021 Loving the new Covid Vaccination progress chart in Apex from Edenbridge Healthcare… LinkedIn Praises the Covid vaccination progress chart in Edenbridge's Apex for visualising practice, PCN or CCG progress at a glance.
25 Feb 2021 Howbeck Healthcare Limited has been working closely with one of its local GP Federations… LinkedIn Shares a Howbeck guide to the Trainee Nurse Associate role and its ARRS funding for practices.
23 Feb 2021 Came across this really interesting article about a small software company that listened… LinkedIn Highlights a small software firm that swiftly built a bespoke rota tool for a Covid vaccination centre by listening to users.
16 Feb 2021 some of the jobs will be working with me or my PCNs practices! LinkedIn
2 Feb 2021 Isosec make a significant milestone. LinkedIn Endorses Isosec's virtual Smartcard software as easier than physical cards and reader-free, likely saving the NHS money.
26 Jan 2021 Do we need a QCOVIDRISK calculator? LinkedIn Floats a QCovid-style calculator ranking vaccine priority by ITU risk, possibly weighed against an economic-benefit score.
26 Jan 2021 The local Comms team have done a walk through video of my two sites - thanks! LinkedIn
26 Jan 2021 The local Comms team have done a walk through video of my two sites - thanks! LinkedIn
26 Jan 2021 The local Comms team have done a walk through video of my two sites - thanks! LinkedIn
26 Jan 2021 The local Comms team have done a walk through video of my two sites - thanks! LinkedIn
26 Jan 2021 The local Comms team have done a walk through video of my two sites - thanks! LinkedIn Shares walk-through videos produced by the local comms team of his two vaccination sites.
22 Jan 2021 Ive had a look at my PCN data and Apex really helps you understand how you are doing. LinkedIn Finds Edenbridge Apex valuable for understanding PCN performance and promises to share screenshots.
16 Jan 2021 2 predictions ' LinkedIn Predicts everyone will be told to have AstraZeneca as a second dose and that the dosing gap will move from 12 to 15 weeks.
14 Jan 2021 We had the chair of the CCG and the Med Director of CWP both vaccinating today! LinkedIn A vaccination-day snapshot as CCG and CWP leaders joined in and the PR team filmed the clinic.
14 Jan 2021 We had the chair of the CCG and the Med Director of CWP both vaccinating today! LinkedIn
14 Jan 2021 We had the chair of the CCG and the Med Director of CWP both vaccinating today! LinkedIn A vaccination-day note that the CCG chair and CWP medical director were both vaccinating, with the PR team filming Neil and a manager.
14 Jan 2021 We had the chair of the CCG and the Med Director of CWP both vaccinating today! LinkedIn Recounts the CCG chair and CWP medical director helping vaccinate, with the PR team filming the clinic for a video.
14 Jan 2021 We had the chair of the CCG and the Med Director of CWP both vaccinating today! LinkedIn
12 Jan 2021 AccuRx is good for vaccine booking.. LinkedIn Praises accuRx for vaccine booking but wants multi-site options, check-in and queue-management features.
15 Dec 2020 We have launched a whole series of videos aimed at teaching people Search and Reports in… LinkedIn Announces a free video series teaching Searches and Reports in EMIS Web and invites feedback from users.
15 Dec 2020 My latest DigitalHealth Column is out! LinkedIn Shares a Digital Health column on how fast primary care IT is evolving, joking that it is almost out of date already.
23 Oct 2020 My talk for the EMISNUG 2020 is now online - if you want to watch it - click on link to… LinkedIn
8 Oct 2020 My latest digitalhealth column is out - is AccuRx about to take over the world? LinkedIn His DigitalHealth column surveying the GP IT market and whether AccuRx is on course to dominate it.
2 Oct 2020 Returning to work since lockdown Surveys how Covid transformed general practice — empty waiting rooms, video consulting, virtual locums — predicts working at scale, and asks whether GPs should give up urgent care.
28 Sept 2020 The Flu Manager report in Apex - allows you to see how your practice is doing or if you… LinkedIn Describes Apex's Flu Manager report for tracking vaccination progress across practices and flagging eligible patients in clinic.
22 Sept 2020 Here is a screencast Ive done about the new Appraisal report functionality in Apex. LinkedIn A screencast demonstrates Apex's new appraisal report, comparing an individual over time or against groups for workload and case-mix discussion.
3 Sept 2020 Had an interesting meeting with Barrie Holding from Microtech Group - about their… LinkedIn Reviews a meeting with Microtech's SurgeryPOD, which gathers long-term-condition data in the waiting room.
27 Aug 2020 Making the best of the additional roles funding Advice with Denise Smith of SMASH PCN on using ARRS funding: why sustainability and HR fears are overblown, how their federation handles the money, and tips on recruiting early.
26 Aug 2020 Had a great meeting today with Naj Rotheram and Jennie Johnson looking at The Grasp… LinkedIn Discusses using the PRIMIS Grasp Diabetes tool at scale and linking it to population health segmentation work.
16 Aug 2020 Acute Frailty Network release a free app to help clinicians to undertake clinical frailty… LinkedIn
16 Aug 2020 For my GP practice colleagues - did you know Macmillian have produced a toolkit to help… LinkedIn Highlights Macmillan's toolkit supporting the early cancer diagnosis element of the PCN DES.
13 Aug 2020 My latest DigitalHealth column is out. LinkedIn Shares a Digital Health column setting out two big ideas to reshape primary care as we know it.
30 Jul 2020 really pleased to be involved and to be working with such a great team that have a… LinkedIn
24 Jul 2020 I was asked to write a brief article for Best Practice about how things were going in… LinkedIn
10 Jun 2020 Had 3 interesting meetings today - 1. LinkedIn Recaps meetings with Health Diagnostics, eviid and Accenda about products that could benefit primary care.
4 Jun 2020 Jayex Technology must have been reading my old posts as they have just launched a… LinkedIn Notes Jayex Technology's new smartphone QR-code check-in app for surgeries, which works without their arrival boards.
4 Jun 2020 Interesting conversation this am with Isabel Healthcare https://lnkd.in/d8QtWKk this… LinkedIn Considers buying Isabel Healthcare's professional diagnosis aid for his PCN's GPs, noting it is built into their Refero comms tool.
4 Jun 2020 Interesting conversation this am with Isabel Healthcare https://lnkd.in/d8QtWKk this… LinkedIn Weighs buying Isabel Healthcare's professional diagnostic aid for PCN GPs, noting it integrates with the Refero comms tool being adopted.
2 Jun 2020 My latest digitalhealth column is out - I'm once again trying to understand how… LinkedIn Shares a DigitalHealth column on population health segmentation, introducing his own 'Paul score' of modifiable risk.
28 May 2020 Isosec's soft smart card software (try saying that when you are drinking) is working well… LinkedIn Reports Isosec's soft smart card software running well on the practice's VMware Horizon virtual desktops, and hopes the CSU rolls it out.
22 May 2020 How 2 Launched LinkedIn Announces free six-month access to Howbeck's How2 video training library — covering EMIS Web, Docman 10 and remote consultations — to help practices and returning staff during Covid-19.
17 May 2020 Interesting Meetings Quick impressions of meetings with Health Diagnostics, eviid, Accenda and Urgo Medical, covering standardised data entry, video capture, a clinical photo app and wound care.
14 May 2020 These online reviews look really good from Medlink - planning on asking for a free trial… LinkedIn Flags Medlink's online consultation reviews as a more developed alternative to accuRx, and plans a free trial for his practice and PCN.
14 May 2020 These online reviews look really good from Medlink - planning on asking for a free trial… LinkedIn Flags Medlink's online consultation tool as a more developed accuRx alternative worth trialling.
7 May 2020 My local PCN lead Practice Manager Denise Smith is being interviewed on the first Best… LinkedIn Flags PCN lead practice manager Denise Smith's appearance on the first Best Practice 'In Conversation' webinar on 13 May.
23 Apr 2020 FTSU LinkedIn Explains why small practices cannot host an independent Freedom to Speak Up Guardian in-house, and introduces Howbeck's shared FTSU service for practices, PCNs and federations.
22 Apr 2020 Had a demo of DriverNet from Anthony Chisnall yesterday and I have to say I think it… LinkedIn Reviews DriverNet, a tool for assigning and briefing home visits, as useful for larger practices and PCNs.
9 Apr 2020 OK I've done a quick screen-recording/blog about how the activity in my practice has… LinkedIn Shares a screencast showing how his practice's activity shifted during Covid, using Apex reports from Edenbridge.
25 Mar 2020 OK some areas/PCNs/practices are setting up Hot centres and Cold centres and telephone… LinkedIn Notes covid hot, cold and triage sites expose EMIS gaps in cross-practice logins and sending EPS prescriptions via enterprise consultations.
23 Mar 2020 Stockpiling LinkedIn A wry note from the start of the pandemic: while others panic-buy masks and sanitiser, the author orders 100 USB webcams so local clinicians can finally use online consultations.
23 Mar 2020 Refero Screencast LinkedIn A short post sharing a screencast of Dr Paul's PCN using Refero as a patient-to-practice communication tool during the move to remote working.
21 Mar 2020 Been playing with this over last 24 hours and it works really well. LinkedIn
20 Mar 2020 To help combat the current crisis a lot of innovative IT companies are offering their… LinkedIn Suggests NHS Digital collate an online list of the free or at-cost IT offers companies are making during the pandemic.
20 Mar 2020 Todays issue: Need to get soft phones working over the VPN/VDI... LinkedIn Describes the early-COVID push to get VOIP soft phones working over VPN so clinicians can consult by phone from home.
19 Mar 2020 Ignoring Covid for the moment - my GP federation is keen to setup a prescription ordering… LinkedIn Announces his GP federation's plan to set up a prescription ordering direct (POD) service and its search for a project manager to run it.
19 Mar 2020 Apex can track how busy you are, what effect the changes you are introducing have. LinkedIn
15 Mar 2020 A while ago we moved most of our local practices on to Lexacom's cloud solution (bulk… LinkedIn Explains how Lexacom's cloud lets practices share typing for business continuity, and pushes EPS nominations and repeat dispensing.
3 Mar 2020 Had a great online demo from @Miles Carter from Ardens today - really like their product… LinkedIn An online demo of Ardens convinces Neil to have his PCN buy it, citing time savings, quality and practice productivity gains.
3 Mar 2020 My business partner at Howbeck Healthcare Limited Michael Pyrah shares some of his… LinkedIn Shares business partner Michael Pyrah's analysis of the new GP contract - good for PCNs but offering little to individual practices.
3 Mar 2020 How the new GP / PCN contract is likely to impact on general practice LinkedIn Analysis of the 2020 GP contract: practices carry significant new obligations while most financial benefit flows to PCNs, so PCNs must convert ARRS roles into real practice support.
23 Feb 2020 iPlato LinkedIn First impressions of iPlato's video consultation tool, adopted by his PCN during the coronavirus outbreak — simple and working, though the workflow and UI need polish.
18 Feb 2020 Im fascinated by big data and population health stratification - its part of the future.' LinkedIn Reflects on population health stratification work with Cheshire's BI team and flags a BCS population health conference in Newcastle.
18 Feb 2020 Good meeting with Owain Rhys Hughes and Anca Leucon from Cinapsis. LinkedIn Reports a promising meeting with Cinapsis and its founders about possibly working together.
11 Feb 2020 This is a surgery in my PCN - who were happy that their new ANP was indeed taking work… LinkedIn Describes a PCN practice using Apex analytics to confirm a new advanced nurse practitioner was easing GP workload.
30 Jan 2020 My now bi-monthly digitalhealth.net column is out! LinkedIn His DigitalHealth.net column arguing primary care needs dedicated, skilled IT staff as much as pharmacists or physios.
6 Nov 2019 Very useful resource for your clinicians #practicemanager #primarycarenetworks… LinkedIn
23 Oct 2019 My local PCN Manager shares her advice Links to an interview with Denise Smith, Neil's PCN lead manager, on the practice manager's role in PCNs and why communication is key amid rapid change.
23 Oct 2019 iGPR Update Notes from a demo of new iGPR features: federated log-ins letting one administrator process reports for multiple practices, plus modules for DWP medicals and custom reports.
18 Oct 2019 Looks good thinking of buying it for my pcn to try any experience/ reviews let me know … LinkedIn
18 Oct 2019 Do GPs need more training?' LinkedIn Argues GPs need leadership and management training to run the new multidisciplinary teams that the DES and PCNs are funding.
26 Sept 2019 My latest article is out - some thoughts on what PCNs should be pushing for re their IT… LinkedIn His DigitalHealth.net column on what primary care networks should push for in their IT plans and partnership working.
26 Sept 2019 Partnership working Argues PCNs should standardise clinical systems, share back-office staff and join up networks — and that EPRs must let staff work across multiple practices at once.
5 Sept 2019 My PCN's Brilliant Lead Practice manager is being interviewed online again!' LinkedIn
23 Aug 2019 What courses have you been on that you would recommend? LinkedIn An open question asking which leadership courses are actually worth attending, as PCNs push GPs unused to leadership roles into them amid a rush of course sellers.
23 Aug 2019 The Power of GP Federations Showcases what his 29-practice federation delivers at scale: a shared GDPR service, practice websites, IT trainers, cloud dictation with Lexacom, a Technomed ECG service and peer-reviewed referrals.
23 Aug 2019 Primary Care Networks Useful Links A link collection for new PCN clinical directors: the Network DES specification, guidance, registration form, network agreement and VAT information note.
23 Aug 2019 GPDF publish guidance for PCNs Flags the GPDF's guidance for forming PCNs while warning that lawyers and governance are becoming a distraction; the priority should be standardising and improving care.
8 Aug 2019 Nice to see my gp federation being quoted as a beacon #gp #practicemanager… LinkedIn
9 Jul 2019 Denise Smith a practice manager who helps run my PCN is interviewed in pulse/management… LinkedIn Shares a Management in Practice interview with his PCN's practice manager on tips for kick-starting a PCN.
9 Jul 2019 Denise Smith a practice manager who helps run my PCN is interviewed in pulse/management… LinkedIn Shares a Management in Practice interview with PCN practice manager Denise Smith on tips for kick-starting a PCN.
9 Jul 2019 Denise Smith a practice manager who helps run my PCN is interviewed in pulse/management… LinkedIn
6 Jul 2019 On primary care networks and IT upgrades Early days of PCNs: missing data-sharing agreements, network-level analytics with Apex, a transformative Windows 10 hardware refresh, and whether pooled Lexacom typing could work across practices.
13 Jun 2019 Good news from Mark Hashemi My local GP Alliance works with Technomed using their… LinkedIn Praises Technomed's 12-lead ECG service, which standardises reporting across the federation and cuts cardiology referrals.
7 Jun 2019 Role of PCN pharmacists? LinkedIn A Howbeck Healthcare crib sheet for appointing the new PCN pharmacist role under the DES: funding models, training, supervision, indemnity and a long list of network-wide tasks.
3 Apr 2019 Good meeting with Polly Shepperdson and Nicholas Meese from First Databank. LinkedIn A meeting with First Databank's Polly Shepperdson and Nicholas Meese leaves Neil keen for his PCN to be an early adopter of their medication tools.
24 Jan 2019 Howbeck Healthcare Limited has been visiting the Isle of Wight to work with OneWightCare… LinkedIn
10 Jan 2019 A summary of the NHS 10 year plan and some comments on local implications. LinkedIn A bullet-point summary of the NHS Long Term Plan with local commentary: primary care networks and pooled funding are real, and digital-first registration could destabilise traditional practices.
9 Jan 2019 Keep up to date with NHS reorganisations by learning from Cheshire LinkedIn A note-form briefing using Cheshire's changes — HCPs, Places, care communities and a proposed pan-Cheshire CCG merger — to explain where NHS reorganisation is heading.
27 Dec 2018 My latest DigitalHealth.net column is out! LinkedIn A DigitalHealth.net column taking a more positive turn to highlight some of the author's primary-care successes.
5 Dec 2018 Nice to receive positive feedback about Howbeck Healthcare Limited's GDPR and DPO service… LinkedIn Shares a practice manager's positive feedback on Howbeck Healthcare's GDPR and Data Protection Officer service for GP federations and practices.
2 Nov 2018 Met with Tracey Palmer from Carehub - My GP Federation is thinking of collaborating with… LinkedIn
18 Oct 2018 Lexacom re-launch event A short report from dictation company Lexacom's rebranding event in Oxford, with a new feature announced but embargoed for a week.
22 Sept 2018 My local GP federation and my company Howbeck Healthcare Limited have been talking to GE… LinkedIn Notes his federation and Howbeck Healthcare working with GE Healthcare on primary care innovation, sharing a colleague's article.
22 Sept 2018 My local GP federation and my company Howbeck Healthcare Limited have been talking to GE… LinkedIn Notes his GP federation and Howbeck Healthcare are discussing primary-care innovation with GE Healthcare, sharing a related article by Dr Abdullahi Sheriff.
22 Sept 2018 My local GP federation and my company Howbeck Healthcare Limited have been talking to GE… LinkedIn Notes talks with GE Healthcare on primary care innovation, linking a piece by Dr Abdullahi Sheriff ahead of his own article.
14 Aug 2018 FENO testing finally coming LinkedIn Announces that every practice in South Cheshire and Vale Royal CCGs can have a NICE-recommended FeNO machine for asthma diagnosis, funded jointly by the CCG and GP federation.
22 Jul 2018 Lexacom re-launch event A brief report from Lexacom's rebranding event in Oxford, where the dictation company teased a new feature under embargo ahead of a fuller announcement.
21 Jul 2018 Docman 10 has some interesting Enterprise features LinkedIn Notes from a meeting with Docman's Sean Foster on Docman 10, whose cloud design lets federation or neighbouring-practice staff process documents across sites.
29 Jun 2018 In my horizon scanning role for Howbeck Healthcare Limited trying to find innovative… LinkedIn A meeting with X-on highlights telecoms as a neglected working-at-scale project, with funding available for federations to improve access.
8 Jun 2018 Call for info on audit software LinkedIn Asks suppliers of GP clinical audit software to get in touch, predicting the working-at-scale agenda will revive demand for tools comparing practice performance beyond QOF.
21 May 2018 Call for info on audit software LinkedIn Asks companies to send details of primary care clinical audit packages, predicting the working-at-scale agenda will revive demand for tools comparing practice performance beyond QOF.
11 May 2018 Does EMIS Web need new functionality to meet the Working at Scale agenda & to maintain being the system of choice as GPs get bigger and work together Argues EMIS lacks a federated multi-practice view for shared reception, triage, typing and cross-organisation searches, and that this gap is holding back working at scale.
11 Apr 2018 Have you thought about giving FirstDerm a go? How Neil's GP federation white-labelled the FirstDerm teledermatology app so GPs can upload photos of skin lesions and get consultant advice back within 24 hours.
11 Apr 2018 FirstDerm's app was created to be public facing but given their tech and their… LinkedIn Describes adapting FirstDerm's crowdsourced dermatology app into a GP-facing tool for quick advice without a referral.
9 Mar 2018 Crowdsourcing Home Visits from DocAbode - the new Uber? A look at DocAbode, an Uber-style app that crowdsources home visits from nearby GPs, with a local idea to use it for out-of-hours palliative care coordinated by the hospice.
28 Jan 2018 AF Screening How a GP federation tackled undiagnosed atrial fibrillation with Alivecor handheld ECGs, a Technomed cloud-reported ECG service and Cardiocity Rhythm Pads in every practice.
13 Dec 2017 Do you have a product or service aimed at GPs or GP Federations that isn't well known and… LinkedIn Offers little-known companies free listing to his 200-plus GP practices and invites those seeking clinical input or beta testers.
26 Nov 2017 Looks like 2 more GP federations are interested in us helping set them up a weekend GP… LinkedIn Notes two more GP federations keen for Howbeck's help establishing weekend GP hubs.
22 Nov 2017 Are there any startups or small IT companies who are operating in the Mental Health arena… LinkedIn Neil's GP federation and mental health trust seek a startup with a genuinely novel app, using games or VR rather than online CBT, to co-bid for funding.
14 Nov 2017 Have you setup a Freedom to Speak Guardian for your GP practice(s)? LinkedIn Notes the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian is a contractual requirement and pitches Howbeck Healthcare's low-cost service for practices.
9 Nov 2017 A copy of my presentation from EHI Live 2017 on my idea that a GP Federation should be… LinkedIn Shares his EHI Live 2017 talk proposing that a GP federation build an IT strategy for member practices, and what it should cover.
2 Nov 2017 Im speaking about some of our GP federation projects related to the top 10 high impact… LinkedIn Previews a talk on the GP federation's projects tackling NHS England's ten high-impact changes at an upcoming event.
26 Oct 2017 Come and hear me talk on (my thoughts about) the future IT needs of GP federations and… LinkedIn
29 Sept 2017 How can GPs get the technology they need? GPonline Argues that general practice IT needs scale, proper funding and GPs back in charge of the budget, drawing on a 30-practice federation that hired its own IT support.
17 Sept 2017 Article no 2 on Howbeck Healthcare's ideas for your GP Federation to help their practices with. LinkedIn Practical schemes a GP federation can run for its practices: Docmail outsourced mailing, iPlato SMS messaging, and Lexacom cloud dictation with speech recognition.
5 Sept 2017 Things a GP federation could be doing - 1 LinkedIn First in a series of project ideas for GP federations: cutting practice electricity costs with Luceco LED surveys and bulk-buying energy through the right broker.
23 Aug 2017 An interview with me on the EHI live conference website - I'll be presenting at the… LinkedIn Links to an EHI Live interview ahead of his talk on how primary care IT must develop to meet GP federation goals.
8 Jun 2017 Free Conference on GP Federations and what they are up to' LinkedIn A reminder that the Crewe GP federation expo runs next week, with over 20 federations and 20 exhibitors sharing federated products and schemes.
8 Jun 2017 GP federation conference next week' LinkedIn A reminder that the South Cheshire & Vale Royal GP Alliance federation conference in Crewe is next week, with over 20 federations and 20 exhibitors.
8 Jun 2017 Free Conference next week on GP Federations' LinkedIn Reminds readers the GP federations conference runs Tuesday 13th in Crewe, with over 20 federations, 20 exhibitors and delivery examples.
8 Jun 2017 Our conference is next week (Tuesday 13th in Crewe): https://lnkd.in/gTa3tBQ we have… LinkedIn Previews the Crewe GP alliance expo with over 20 federations and 20 exhibitors showcasing federated products and delivered schemes.
22 May 2017 Howbeck Services An overview of Howbeck Healthcare's services for GP federations and practices, from setting up six not-for-profit federations to complaint investigations and practice diagnostics.
19 May 2017 Our Health Partnership (Birmingham super practice) are coming - are you?? LinkedIn Promotes a South Cheshire GP alliance expo on federated working, with Birmingham's Our Health Partnership attending.
19 May 2017 Despite the IT issues.. LinkedIn Reports a successful first week for the GP federation's community DVT service, using ultrasound and point-of-care testing under a £250K contract.
15 May 2017 Liverpool GP Federation are coming!' LinkedIn Promotes a 13 June South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance expo sharing examples of innovative federated working.
4 May 2017 Free Not for Profit Conference on June 13th for GPs & GP Federations sharing success and… LinkedIn The South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance Expo focuses on practical federated schemes that work, rather than the politics or legal structures of scale.
4 May 2017 Free Not for Profit conference sharing innovation & successful schemes for GP Federations. LinkedIn Promotes the South Cheshire & Vale Royal GP Alliance Expo on 13 June, a practical conference on how to make a GP federation successful.
2 May 2017 Are you a GP or Manager working in a GP Federation? LinkedIn Invites GP federation staff to a not-for-profit conference in Crewe on 13 June sharing real project examples from partner federations.
19 Apr 2017 Really happy that Victoria Barnes has started work for Howbeck Healthcare Limited helping… LinkedIn
7 Apr 2017 I've been asked to speak at this conference being run by the University of Liverpool… LinkedIn Flags a free University of Liverpool School of Management conference on collaborative working, particularly in mental health services.
17 Mar 2017 Howbeck Healthcare Limited had a great meeting last night in Burton-on-Trent with a group… LinkedIn Recounts a Burton-on-Trent meeting persuading local GPs to form a federation, who then sought Howbeck's help to do it.
14 Mar 2017 Good meeting about the conference we are running today June 13th - shortlisting the… LinkedIn A call for GP federations to speak at a June conference about projects they have delivered, as sponsors are shortlisted.
7 Mar 2017 We have a vacancy coming up for a IT person to help us support the GP federations and… LinkedIn Advertises a primary-care IT role supporting GP federations and practices across south Cheshire, with EMIS knowledge useful.
14 Feb 2017 My NFP GP federation is putting on a Free conference for GPs & GP Federations interested… LinkedIn Details a free June conference in Crewe where practices and federations share real-life innovations in quality and income.
14 Feb 2017 Free conference for GPs and GP Federations - June 13th Crewe, Cheshire' LinkedIn Promotes a free all-day GP federation conference in Crewe sharing IT-leaning case studies that improve quality, income and working life.
14 Feb 2017 Free Conference for GPs and GP Federations - June 13th Crewe, Cheshire.' LinkedIn Promotes a free June conference in Crewe for GPs and federations, built around practical case studies that improved income, services and working life.
14 Feb 2017 Free Meeting for GPs and GP Federations June 13th, Crewe, Cheshire' LinkedIn Invites GPs and federations to a free Crewe conference of practical, IT-leaning case studies for improving income and working life.
12 Feb 2017 My GP federation is planning a (not for profit) conference on Tuesday 13th June, in Crewe… LinkedIn The South Cheshire GP federation plans a free June conference in Crewe on primary care innovation and seeks 10-20 sponsors.
8 Dec 2016 Government have announced funding for a second round of pharmacists in GP practice. LinkedIn Notes second-round funding for pharmacists in GP practice, citing Howbeck's role placing 20-plus across three federations.
18 Oct 2016 Another View: of Handling Letters On taking admin off GPs: practice pharmacists, medical assistants, a five-practice letter-processing hub saving GPs 40 minutes a day, and how cloud-based Docman 10 could enable shared admin teams.
29 Jun 2016 South Cheshire CCG have awarded the contract for Community Services to a consortium of… LinkedIn Explains that South Cheshire CCG's community services contract has gone to a trust and GP alliance consortium forming the CCICP.
26 Jun 2016 Why GP Federations need a CCIO From a CCIO summer school talk: why GP federations need clinical IT leadership, illustrated by projects on extended access, online booking, Apex dashboards and pooled typing.
21 Jun 2016 Quite a lot going on A round-up of local primary care IT: patient wi-fi, why video consultations aren't taking off, Horizon remote access, Slack trials, NHSmail woes and Technomed's reported ECG service.
10 Jun 2016 Howbeck Healthcare Limited is interested to hear from web site companies who might be… LinkedIn Invites web companies to develop GP practice and federation websites with innovative features for Howbeck Healthcare.
11 May 2016 Howbeck Healthcare Limited has just finished work on a Ooh tender for Taurus GP… LinkedIn Reports completing an out-of-hours tender bid for Taurus GP federation in Hereford and offers Howbeck's bid-writing support.
6 May 2016 Speech Recognition Revisits an earlier dismissal of speech recognition after trying Nuance's Dragon Medical, imagining voice commands that code consultations and automate GP system tasks.
25 Jan 2016 So far our GP federation has delivered >16000 extra GP appt's in our wave2 PMCF bid,with… LinkedIn Reports over 16,000 extra GP appointments delivered under a wave-2 PMCF bid, regretting the CCG's refusal to continue it.
12 Jan 2016 Federation and the IT to make it Work Why practices federate rather than merge — fear, unequal contract and QOF income — and why GP clinical systems can't yet support separate practices sharing staff and back offices.
17 Nov 2015 Return to IT for GP Federations What GP federations need from IT suppliers: video conferencing between staff, home working, tools for supervising new roles, cross-practice phone answering and open, extensible systems.
28 Sept 2015 Howbeck Healthcare have now run several successful workshops on 'what GP federations are… LinkedIn Offers Howbeck Healthcare workshops briefing pharma companies on GP federations and how GPs are paid and think.
18 Sept 2015 Howbeck Healthcare has just helped 3 GP Federations submit Pharmacist in Primary Care… LinkedIn Reports helping three GP federations submit Pharmacist in Primary Care bids worth £1M combined.
6 Sept 2015 Pleased to announce that The Stoke GP Federation of 47 practices covering 490K patients… LinkedIn Announces that Stoke's 47-practice GP federation has appointed Howbeck Healthcare, citing earlier work that won alliances around £10 per patient.
9 Jun 2015 We are looking for someone in the marketing/publicity industry to create a 'brochure' and… LinkedIn Seeks a marketing professional to produce a brochure and improve website copy promoting the local GP federation.
8 Jun 2015 Hanging up the Phone Argues practices should move beyond the phone: federated call handling across surgeries, smarter online triage and booking, automated follow-ups and secure portal messaging to patients.
14 May 2015 It's Primary Care Jim...but not as we know it! LinkedIn A twelve-point plan by co-director Mike Pyrah for how practices can meet the transformation agenda by federating, managing demand and preserving continuity of care.
5 May 2015 IT for GP federations Outlines the draft IT strategy for a 28-practice GP federation: shared networks, video calls, the GPask Q&A site, and the Apex activity dashboard from Edenbridge.
31 Mar 2015 My latest EHI column is out.' LinkedIn Points to an eHealth Insider column setting out the IT needs of GP federations.
20 Feb 2015 Michael Pyrah and I are interested in building a list of associates to work with us,… LinkedIn Invites associates skilled in HR, finance, IT and service redesign to join the author's GP federation support venture.
21 Nov 2014 4GPs has developed a 12 point checklist to evaluate how well your GP federation is doing… LinkedIn Promotes 4GPs' twelve-point checklist for assessing GP federation performance, offering a discount in exchange for a marketing case study.
20 Nov 2014 Are you thinking of setting up a GP federation? LinkedIn Promotes the 4GPs package for setting up a GP federation, citing existing sites that have already secured over £400K in funding.
8 Oct 2014 If you are in a GP Provider federation / alliance - what's working and what isnt? LinkedIn Invites GP provider federations to share what works and lessons learned, reflecting on running two not-for-profit alliances in Cheshire.
23 Jan 2013 Another View: Sixteen On the problems of GPs and district nurses using separate EMIS Web and Community Web systems: security, messaging, prescribing and reception headaches from a flawed procurement.
23 Oct 2010 How do you measure good a good general practice? Asks what actually defines a good general practice — access, prescribing, referrals, CQC ratings or patient surveys — and whether balanced scorecards or KPIs can measure it fairly.