The NHS is to set out the next steps for how primary care networks will work with partners across newly formed integrated care systems.

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard has asked Dr Claire Fuller, senior responsible officer of the Surrey Heartlands ICS, to set out how systems can implement the primary care, out-of-hospital care and prevention ambitions in the NHS Long Term Plan, and drive more integrated primary, community and social care services at a local level.

Dr Fuller will take a view on how services should develop, as well as setting up the most promising next steps in the short-term.

The 42 ICSs across England bring together hospital, community and mental health trusts, GPs, pharmacies and other primary care services with local authorities and other care providers.

Dr Fuller will look closely at how PCNs can support ICSs by bringing partners together at a local or ‘place’ level. The government intends PCNs to play a pivotal role at ‘place’. It cites the roll-out of the Covid vaccination programme as an example of how other services should be delivered through local partnerships.

She Fuller will describe the next steps by March 2022 ahead of ICSs becoming statutory organisations in April 2022.