Pulse PCN Newcastle Agenda

Wednesday, September 17, 2025
8:45 AM - 9:25 AM																Registration and exhibition
9:25 AM - 9:30 AM																Chair’s opening remarks Beth Gault, Deputy Editor, Pulse PCN and Healthcare Leader
9:30 AM - 10:05 AM																Innovating for Health Justice: Targeted approaches to health inequalities in PCNs Equity vs Equality in PCN Services: allocating resources based on specific community needs to achieve fair health outcomes Optimising ARRS to address health inequalities: Strategic recruitment, data-driven approaches, and community collaboration Innovative group consultations for managing health inequalities: the new concepts to develop peer support, resource efficiency, and cultural competence Dr Goubran Eskander, GP Partner, Patterdale Lodge Group Practice, Consultant ENT in Primary Care, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Clinical Director, Cheshire and Merseyside ICB
10:05 AM - 10:40 AM																NHS 10yr Plan: NHS App, Digital and AI Understanding the digital priorities in the NHS 10 year plan Using AI and digital tools in general practice Learn how practices can integrate NHS-approved tools to enhance care, save time, and support workforce pressures Dr Shanker Vijayadeva, GP Lead – Digital Transformation in Primary Care, NHS England (London)
10:40 AM - 11:10 AM																Refreshment break
11:10 AM - 11:45 AM																Employment of PCN staff – a legal perspective Different employment models for PCN staff, including forming a limited company as an employment vehicle Common pitfalls when sharing staff Managing risk and liability Sponsored by:
11:45 AM - 12:25 PM																What’s burning out GPs? Innovations from Elm Tree Medical Centre tackling PCN pressure points Dr Sheikh Mateen Ellahi, GP Partner, Elm Tree Surgery
12:25 PM - 1:00 PM																PCN VCSE collaboration supporting people with chronic pain Dr Cathy Stannard, Clinical Lead for Pain Transformation, NHS Gloucestershire ICB
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM																Lunch and exhibition
1:50 PM - 2:25 PM																Hypertension case finding - work with your community pharmacists Using pharmacies to monitor new medicines for hypertension and cholesterol Community Events - using community pharmacies to record data Referrals to measure BP Dr Manraj Barhey, GP, Woodland Avenue Practice, Clinical Director, The Medics Primary Care Network
2:25 PM - 2:50 PM																Refreshment break
2:50 PM - 3:30 PM																Planning for improvement - How PCNs can align their ARRS workforce to patient need and deliver impact Understanding patient need: Big data and local intelligence Measuring impact: Starting with the end in mind Stories of success: Practical application and inspiration Alison Westmacott, Transformation Director – Primary Care, NHSE South Central and West CSU
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM																Closing keynote Professor Bola Owolabi, Chief Inspector of Primary and Community Care, CQC
4:00 PM																Conference ends

Dr Manraj Barhey
GP, Woodland Avenue Practice, Clinical Director, The Medics Primary Care Network

Dr Sheikh Mateen Ellahi
GP Partner, Elm Tree Surgery

Dr Goubran Eskander
GP Partner, Patterdale Lodge Group Practice, Consultant ENT in Primary Care, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Clinical Director, Cheshire and Merseyside ICB

Beth Gault
Deputy Editor, Pulse PCN and Healthcare Leader

Professor Bola Owolabi
Chief Inspector of Primary and Community Care, CQC

Dr Cathy Stannard
Clinical Lead for Pain Transformation, NHS Gloucestershire ICB

Dr Shanker Vijayadeva
GP Lead – Digital Transformation in Primary Care, NHS England (London)

Alison Westmacott
Transformation Director – Primary Care, NHSE South Central and West CSU