The network contract DES specification for 2023/24 was published last week. There are few changes of substance. The key points to note are:
- The hard upper limit on the number of mental health practitioners that can be engaged by a PCN has been removed.
- The limit on advanced practitioners has been increased from two to three (for PCNs with list sizes of 99,999 or fewer) and from four to six (for PCNs with list numbers of 100,000 or over).
- Advanced clinical practitioner nurse and apprentice physician associate roles have been introduced.
- PCNs must submit a workforce plan by 31 August for the current contract year and an additional document by 31 October setting out the PCN’s indicative intentions for 2024/5 and future years.
- Detail is set out in section 10.4 of the specification regarding the requirements for the Capacity and Access Payment. This involves working with the ICB to assess and record the PCN’s position (in relation to the three key areas of patient experience of contact, ease of access and demand management, and accuracy of recording in appointment books) and considering appropriate levels of improvement to be achieved by 31 March 2024. Further detail is set out in the Capacity and Access Payment Guidance.
- The clinical indicators for the Investment and Impact Fund (IIF) have been streamlined.
As with previous years, practices signed up to the DES will automatically participate in this year’s DES unless they opt out by serving notice by 30 April 2023.
If you’d like to find out more about the DES and other key issues for PCNs during 2023/4 and beyond, why not attend our free webinar?
For further information, please contact:
Ruth Griffiths, Hill Dickinson
ruth.griffiths@hilldickinson.com
