South Sefton Primary Care Network recognised at General Practice Awards 2024

South Sefton Primary Care Network (SSPCN) has been selected as a finalist in the ‘PCN of the Year’ category at this year’s General Practice Awards.

SSPCN are being recognised for their commitment to collaborative and patient-centred care, having made significant strides in integrating services, with a focus on health promotion, and addressing health inequalities in diverse and deprived populations.

Notable innovations include the South Sefton Access Service (SSAS), which has added 35,000 appointments annually, improving access to acute and minor illness care.

Additionally, the PCN’s enhanced health at home service offers holistic assessments and medication reviews for older patients, helping to reduce hospital readmissions and supporting patients to remain well at home.

Other key achievements include the introduction of a streamlined mental health referral pathway, which consolidated 14 referral routes into a single pathway, reducing inappropriate referrals and enhancing patient safety and experience.

The PCN’s adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) recovery programme, delivered in partnership with Sefton Council, has shown significant success, including improved mental health and self-esteem, smoking cessation, reduced drinking and drug use, and employment. 

Across local care homes, SSPCN has been running networking events covering a range of topics including infection control and diabetes education – supported by Sefton Council, the CQC and Mersey Care – helping to develop strong relationships with care home staff, community matrons and the wider integrated care team.

The winners of this year’s General Practice Awards will be announced at a ceremony on 6 December.