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When primary care networks were first launched, many believed this might spell the end for GP federations, but this is not necessarily the case. There are numerous examples of some innovative partnership models developing across the country to support PCNs in delivering the best quality care and whereby federations are providing the resources to absorb some of the key workstreams, thus removing the burden from practice and network staff. Alliance for Better Care, or ABC as they are commonly known, are a typical example of a GP federation who are achieving success by working collaboratively with their PCNs. This is due, in part, to the expertise of their two Network Development Managers, Caroline Upton and Lena Abdu, who join Ben on the podcast to give an insight into their roles, what they entail, where they have made a difference and why partnership working might be the way forward.

Introductions (0:38)

ABC demographic and mission (0:57)

Lena’s background (1:39)

Caroline’s journey to becoming a Network Development Manager (2:42)

Sharing the management of networks from a federation perspective (3:14)

Ownership of dedicated work packages (4:02)

The importance of maintaining strong relationships with individual clinical directors (4:48)

Communication and engagement with wider teams (5:34)

Other available support for PCNs (6:42)

All about recruitment (7:53)

The additional roles scheme (10:23)

Managing workload and demand capacity (12:04)

Meeting the new general practice service specifications (13:13)

Meeting representation (15:38)

What are the main challenges? (17:31)

How are the Network Development Manager roles costed? (19:43)

Finding out more and getting in touch (21:32)

Alliance for Better Care’s website can be found here

Email: caroline.upton@nhs.net and / or lena.abdu@nhs.net