In this week's episode we have the pleasure of welcoming back Hussain Gandhi, for the fifth year running as a PCN Clinical Director. During the conversation, Gandhi reflects on his time as a Clinical Director, sharing both the achievements and the challenges his PCN has encountered. Gandhi and Ben engage in a discussion about the difficulties associated with adapting to the changes of the IIF, the issues PCNs are currently facing, and challenges such as retention due to financial uncertainty. Gandhi also presents his vision for a ‘hub’ and discusses the topic of additional roles, specifically Physician Associates. They talk through the implications of contractual changes and funding issues which have posed significant challenges for practices and PCNs. Finally, Gandhi shares his reflections on the past four to five years of his role as a PCN Clinical Director.

 

Introduction (0:09)

 

Gandhi’s PCN.. (0:45)

 

The PCN’s biggest achievements (1:19)

 

Investment and Impact Fund criteria (1:48)

 

The PCN’s ‘lessons learned’ (2:52)

 

Funding changes.. (3:38)

 

Challenges as a PCN.. (4:13)

 

Uncertainty.. (5:09)

 

Additional roles.. (7:38)

 

Supporting additional roles.. (9:18)

 

Further challenges as a PCN.. (10:45)

 

Bureaucracy.. (11:23)

 

The hub.. (12:06)

 

The hub's staffing.. (13:08)

 

Effects of contractual change (13:32)

 

Funding issues within practices and PCN’s.. (15:01)

 

Disengagement within practices.. (17:04)

 

Active planning for the future.. (18:29)

 

Is Gandhi staying? (19:39)

 

Impact of PCN’s on General Practice.. (20:16)

 

How to move forward? (21:37)

 

PCN’s sustainability in the future.. (23:00)

 

Gandhi’s reflections over the last 4 to 5 years.. (24:10)

 

For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.