Complete guide to NHS primary care integration in the UK — GP practice coordination, Primary Care Networks (PCNs), GP2GP record transfer, shared care records, and referral management.
NHS primary care integration is the foundation of Integrated Care Systems. 1,300+ Primary Care Networks coordinate care between GP practices, hospitals, and community services. Shared care records enable real-time data sharing across all settings.
Primary Care Integration Components
| Component | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Care Networks (PCNs) | Groups of GP practices serving 30-50K patients | 1,300+ PCNs active |
| GP2GP record transfer | Electronic transfer of patient records between GPs | Mandatory, 3-day target |
| NHS Shared Care Record | Cross-organisational patient record viewing | All ICSs by 2026 |
| Electronic Referral Service (e-RS) | GP to hospital referral and booking | Mandatory for all referrals |
| Summary Care Record (SCR) | Key patient information for urgent care | 98% of patients have SCR |
| Social prescribing | Link workers connect patients to community resources | All PCNs have link workers |
| Care coordination | Coordinate care across primary, secondary, community | ICS-level coordination |
NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS)
- GP selects service: GP searches e-RS for appropriate hospital service
- Patient choice: Patient chooses provider and appointment time
- Referral submitted: Electronic referral with clinical information sent to hospital
- Appointment booked: Patient books appointment online or via phone
- Triage: Hospital reviews referral and confirms or redirects
- RTT clock starts: 18-week clock starts from e-RS referral date
- Tracking: Referral tracked through pathway to first definitive treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in the NHS?
- PCNs are groups of GP practices working together across a community (typically 30,000-50,000 patients) to provide coordinated primary care. PCNs employ additional staff (pharmacists, physiotherapists, social prescribers) and integrate with community and hospital services. There are 1,300+ PCNs in England.
- What is GP2GP record transfer?
- GP2GP is the NHS service that transfers electronic patient records between GP practices when a patient registers with a new practice. It ensures continuity of care by transferring medical history, medications, allergies, and test results. GP2GP is mandatory and must complete within 3 days of registration.
- What is the NHS Shared Care Record?
- The NHS Shared Care Record (Shared Record) allows authorised health and care professionals to view key patient information across organisations — GP records, hospital records, social care, mental health. It uses NHS Spine and FHIR APIs for real-time data sharing. All ICSs must have a shared care record by 2026.