PCNs have begun hiring GPs to work across practices in ‘portfolio’ roles, Pulse reports.
Dr Brigid Joughin, GP clinical director for Outer West Newcastle PCN, told a reporter that her network is hiring a salaried GP to help address on-the-day presentations.
The role was designed to cover care that is outside of the remit of staff hired through the additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS).
Central North Leeds PCN also advertised for a ‘PCN salaried GP’ to work across practices.
Dr Richard Fieldhouse, NASGP chair, said: “This is an interesting development in the evolution of PCNs, using a hybrid model, combining the flexibility of a roving locum GP to cover practices in need together with a development role, no doubt utilising their experience of working across multiple sites.
“This could work very well with a clear job description, enough autonomy and clear boundaries as to how much clinical cover will be needed since, considering the desperate need of so many practices, this ‘locum’ aspect of the role will be in high demand.
“Working across multiple sites can lead to significant professional isolation, and so a role such as this would benefit significantly from being within a chambers model so that colleagues can support each other and share experiences. This role could even be expanded to enable the candidate to support GP locums locally too.
“It goes without saying that any such role as this would be to use the BMA Salaried GP contract as a minimum.”
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