PCN stands for Primary Care Network and is a way of looking at the ways we work as a group. Our PCN is The Chippenham, Corsham and Box Primary Care Network, or CCB PCN for short.
Our PCN includes, Box Surgery, Rowden Surgery, Hathaway Surgery, Lodge Surgery and Porch Surgery. It does not mean all of the practices are the same or that we are mixing, but it means we’re trying to work better together! We are still continuing our own way of working and nothing is changing regarding your doctor.
What does a PCN do?
The purpose is to smooth the transitions between other local services. It should make it easier for us to work with other local providers, both for us (the surgery) and for you (the patient).
We also have Shared Administration and support each other in some paperwork and support each other in our work. Including our local “Hot Hub” which is shared between our whole PCN and several specialists work across the whole PCN.
What does Shared Administration mean?
Shared Administration means we will be sharing our practice records with the other surgeries within our PCN.
This means that clinicians and authorised administrators will be able to access the notes of patients in all of the five practices across our Primary Care Network.
This streamlines how we access information and means you could have faster access to a physiotherapist in another practice in our network, or be seen in our special “Hot Hub” where we are reviewing any suspected COVID-19 patients in a separate, clean and safe environment.
We still have very strict rules in place around who can access patient notes and we will still have all of the same data safety rules in place across every surgery. It just means this access will be available for authorised staff working within the other surgeries too.
What if I don’t want to?
You can opt out of Shared Administration – it is entirely optional to choose not to take part and we will not making this mandatory for patients at Box Surgery. Even without sharing your record, the NHS will still be able to provide the care that you need. However, it might mean you miss out on this extra form of streamlined care. If you choose not to take part please complete this form and send into the surgery. You can return the form to us by bringing into the surgery, via email (boxsurgery@nhs.net) or via post.
