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.

Each of the 1,250 PCNs across England are based on GP registered patient lists, typically serving natural communities of between 30,000 to 50,000 people (with some flexibility). They are small enough to provide the personal care valued by both people and GPs, but large enough to have impact and economies of scale through better collaboration between GP practices and others in the local health and social care system.

PCNs are led by clinical directors who may be a GP, general practice nurse, clinical pharmacist or other clinical profession working in general practice.

As PCNs develop, the role of community pharmacy is beginning to receive the recognition it deserves. Use the resources on this page to learn more about PCNs, locally and nationally.

CPNEC PCN Practice and pharmacy details – October 2024

Community Pharmacy Durham and Sunderland Primary Care Networks (PCNs) Community Pharmacy Leads