CARE: a new approach to change in primary care

In July 2019 when primary care networks (PCNs) were introduced, a conversation took place on Twitter between nurses in primary care and general practice. These conversations centred around general practice nurses' (GPNs') involvement and understanding of the newly launched PCNs. While the majority of GPNs involved in the conversation were not involved in PCNs, a small number of nurses reported that they had become clinical directors of PCNs.

In order to test whether this picture was similar for GPNs in the regions, a series of listening events were conducted by the NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I) GPN 10 Point plan team, supported by the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC). Three key issues emerged from the events. GPNs:

CARE (Connected, Authentic, Resilient & Empowered) was developed in order to address these three issues. A practical, person-centred and locally owned change management, leadership and resilience programme, CARE is the product of a partnership between NHSE/I, NAPC, the psychotherapeutic coaching agency ShinyMind, and Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) integrated care system (ICS). CARE empowers GPNs and other primary care professionals to play a key role in their PCNs, enabling them to shape services based on population health needs and to strengthen their leadership and resilience.