Primary Care Network (PCN) - Central 2 PCN

 

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What are PCNs (Primary Care Networks)?

PCNs are groups of GP practices working closely together, along with other healthcare staff and organisations, providing integrated services to the local population - BMA

 

About Central 2 PCN

The Central 2 Primary Care Network (PCN) is a group of 5 independent GP practices (River Place Group Practice, Elizabeth Avenue Group Practice, New North Health Centre, The Miller Practice and St Peter’s Street Medical Centre) in the centre of Islington, covering a population of around 43,000 residents.

We are 5 like-minded practices who have come together to increase the opportunities offered to our patients. Central 2 PCN practices are committed to continuity of care and working together in developing links with other PCNs in Islington, Islington GP Federation, community mental health, social care, community pharmacists, local hospitals and voluntary services to enable greater provision of personalised, coordinated and integrated health and social care for patients.

 

Our Vision

  • Commitment to provide sustainable continuity of care for our patients
  • Working with other system partners to provide better integrated health and social care in the community
  • Continue to foster a positive work environment that encourages respect for others and acceptance of difference
 

PCN Leadership Team

  • Clinical Director – Dr David Egerton (GP Partner at River Place Health Centre)
  • PCN Operational Support Officer – Sian Hadley
  • PCN Lead Practice Manager - Laura Mayo
  • PCN Digital & Transformation Lead - Jana Berjakova
  • PCN Lead Nurse - Lisa Smith
  • PCN Lead Pharmacist - TBC
 

Our GP Surgeries

Our network covers 5 practices.

 

To Date:

  • We have been able to introduce and integrate additional roles like Pharmacists, Care Coordinators and
  • Social Prescribing Link Workers into our primary care teams.
  • We have been involved in innovative pilot programmes like paramedics working in the rapid response team.
  • This has involved joint working with Whittington Health and London Ambulance Service.
  • We have been working closely with Camden and Islington Mental Health Trust with the work around mental health transformation. We have helped to develop the current “CORE” mental health team.
  • We are an active member of the Central Islington Locality leadership team, which involves developing relationships across the health and social care settings.
  • We are linked with voluntary community sectors and work closely with Help on your door step.
 

PCN Services

We provide a wide range of services for our patients at our PCN practices

Clinical Pharmacist

In C2 PCN we have a well-established team of clinical pharmacists who specialise in medicines for specific conditions. They work closely with our GP surgery teams to support patients with long-term health needs, carrying out medication reviews for those on multiple medicines, including older adults, care-home residents, and patients with complex conditions.

Social Prescribing Link Worker

They support patients with long-term conditions, low-level mental health needs, loneliness, isolation, and complex social issues. Over a series of 6 to 12 sessions, they help connect patients with local activities, groups, and services that offer practical and emotional support. You can request a referral through your GP practice or use our self-referral link.

Enhanced Practice Nurse

Provides advanced clinical care, including assessment and management of complex and long-term conditions, supports quality improvement initiatives, and contributes to service development. In addition, serves as our PCN Nurse Lead, offering clinical leadership, supporting the nursing workforce across the network, and helping to coordinate and standardise care across practices.

Digital and Transformation Lead

Supports the implementation of digital solutions across practices, including initiatives such as the NHS app. Works closely with practice teams to increase confidence and capability with digital platforms, providing guidance and ongoing support. Also assists with data searches, reporting, and system optimisation to improve efficiency and patient access.

Care Coordinator

Supports patients in navigating their care, coordinating appointments, and ensuring timely access to services. Works closely with practice teams to manage patient pathways, follow up on care plans, and provide ongoing guidance and support. Helps with administration, data recording, and communication between patients and healthcare professionals to ensure seamless, person-centred care.

First Contact Physiotherapist

Provides initial assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions, helping patients access appropriate care quickly. Works closely with practice teams to support patient self-management, referrals, and followup, as well as offering advice on exercises and lifestyle modifications. Assists with documentation, care coordination, and communication to ensure efficient, patient-centred musculoskeletal care.

General Practitioner

Supports practices by providing additional GP capacity, helping to manage patient demand and reduce waiting times. Works closely with practice teams to review cases, follow up on care plans, and support complex patient management. Assists with administration, coordination, and communication across the practice to ensure safe, efficient, and patientcentred care.

 

News and Events

This section provides an overview of the latest news and events currently happening across the PCN.

North Central London Valued Awards

C2 PCN was Highly Commended at the NCL Valued Awards in the Education category for our nursing education sessions.

 

Carers Champions

In January 2025, the PCN appointed a Carers Champion in each practice to support unpaid carers by helping them navigate the healthcare system, access community resources, and ensure their needs are recognised and supported within the practice.

 

Carers Events

The PCN has begun organising dedicated Carers’ Events within our practices, creating a welcoming space for carers to come in and talk to someone about their health needs or any concerns they may have. We recognise that carers often have limited time to focus on their own wellbeing, and these events are designed to offer support, guidance, and trusted advice when they need it most.

 

Proactive Care Team

Since November 2023, the Proactive Care Team, including clinical and support staff and joined by Carers Champions from January 2025, meets monthly to discuss care pathways, role coordination, and community links, and collaborates on events such as Carers Week.

 

Nursing Education Session

Since April 2021, our Nurse Lead meets with the Nursing team to cover topics like CKD, social prescribing, LTC LCS, weight management, blood results, green prescribing, minor illness, and HRT, enhancing retention and engagement, multi-disciplinary perspectives, peer support, knowledge sharing, and clinical safety.

 

Spirometry Hub

The PCN has set up a Spirometry Hub which has been running since January 2024. Clinics are run every month and patients are contacted who are eligible.

 

Digital Inclusion

The Digital Transformation Lead works with practices to support digitally excluded patients, assisting with NHS app sign-ups and implementing services that help patients complete eConsults and access other digital healthcare tools.

 

Heart Failure / Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

The PCN has a lead pharmacist who leads on Heart Failure and CKD across the network. They are currently introducing SGLT2 inhibitors and working with the PCN pharmacy team to support and manage patients with Heart Failure.

SGLT2 inhibitors (sometimes called "gliflozins") are a class of modern, once-daily, oral medications primarily used to treat Type 2 Diabetes.

 

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

The PCN is currently focusing on improving the identification, monitoring, and management of Hypertension to help patients better control their blood pressure and reduce the risk of related health complications.

 

Neighbourhoods

The NHS 10-Year Plan, launched in July 2025, sets out major changes to improve healthcare services. It focuses on moving more care from hospitals into the community, placing greater emphasis on preventing illness, and expanding digital access to services through tools such as the NHS App.

As part of this, healthcare services will be organised into local “neighbourhoods” serving around 50,000 to 80,000 people to improve coordination between GPs, hospitals, community services, and social care. In Islington, services will be delivered across three neighbourhoods: South, Central, and North Islington.