Barnstaple Primary Care Network Manager wins at national awards

Sharon Bates, the management lead for the Barnstaple Alliance Primary Care Network (PCN), has won the Practice Managers Association (PMA) PCN Manager of the Year.

It was standing room only at a packed PMA Theatre at the NEC in Birmingham for the prestigious awards ceremony which celebrates excellence in management across all areas of the health and social care sector.

There were hundreds of nominations and some tough decisions for the judging panel. Barnstaple Alliance PCN is a voluntary association of four General Practice surgeries in Barnstaple- Brannam, Fremington, Litchdon and Queens Medical Centres, which between them look after over 52,000 patients.

Sharon, who is also practice manager at Litchdon Medical Centre, was nominated for her remarkable leadership and commitment to primary care for the PCN and across Northern Devon. She was the driving force for the Primary Care COVID-19 Immunisation programme in Northern Devon which started at the old Leisure Centre in December 2020.

Under her exceptional management Barnstaple Alliance PCN has worked collaboratively and in innovative ways throughout the pandemic.

Sharon is the management lead for a growing number of PCN staff that are spread across the four practices. This workforce comprises a range of health professionals, working in teams, that deliver a host of new and improved services for Barnstaple Alliance PCN patients.

For example, a GP, advanced nurse practitioners, paramedics and a co-ordinator provide integrated care to residential home and housebound patients; and provide urgent visits for the very unwell. Clinical pharmacists and pharmacy technicians work closely with the practices to manage medication issues especially for those on risky or multiple medications. Both these teams have administered flu vaccines in the autumn to those patients unable to come into their surgeries.

The PCN also employs two first contact physiotherapists that see and assess patients with musculoskeletal problems without the need to first see a GP. The Wellbeing Team supports patients with socioeconomic problems that impact on their health and encourages patients to look after their own physical and mental health with the help of community resources.

Under Sharon’s leadership the PCN has also focussed on supporting the most disadvantaged. This includes an outreach health service with a GP and a nurse based at the Freedom Centre for those experiencing homelessness. Responding to the cost-of -living crisis and rising rates of fuel poverty, the PCN has partnered with 361 Energy to target home energy advice and support for those whose health is most at risk from cold and damp homes. All of these workstreams are supported by the Barnstaple Alliance’s Clinical Directors, an Operational Manager and representatives from each of the four practices.

In a short period of time Barnstaple Alliance has established itself as a very successful and innovative PCN while maintaining the independence of the four practices. This has been achieved at a time of extraordinary challenge in general practice. Despite the phenomenal quality of nominations received by the PMA this year, Sharon’s contribution to this has been rightly recognised.