In order to avoid visits to secondary care, this service gives patients to access investigations and procedures at their own practice which are not normally offered within primary care.

An example of this is cardiovascular disease prevention and diagnosis:

  • The PCN will improve diagnosis of patients with hypertension in line with NICE guideline NG136; undertake activity to improve blood pressure (BP) checks by increasing opportunistic testing.
  • Undertake BP testing at suitable outreach venues and work pro-actively with community pharmacies to improve access to checks.
  • Improve the identification of those at risk of Atrial Fibrillation, in line with NICE guideline NG196, through opportunistic pulse checks alongside BP checks.

The PCN practices also provide ECGs and ear irrigation for patients.