Progress of Enrolment of General Practitioners in Primary Care Network

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the enrolment progress of general practitioners (GPs) under the primary care network (PCN); (b) whether the enrolment rate of GPs in PCN meets the expected target set by the Ministry; and (c) what is the measurable impact of a strong PCN on chronic disease management.

The Primary Care Networks, or PCNs, launched in January 2018, are self-organised groupings of GPs coming together to share resources such as coordinators and nurse counsellors. By doing so, they provide core ancillary services important for chronic disease management, such as diabetic eye and foot screening and nurse counselling. As of May 2021, 10 primary care networks (PCNs) have been set up, involving over 600 clinics1 and 875 General Practitioners (GPs). This accounts for more than 50% of Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) GP clinics and meets our initial enrolment target.

Two years after their establishment, we have observed improvements in adherence rates to recommended chronic disease care components. In 2019, 34% of diabetic patients being cared for at PCNs had completed their annual foot screening and 50% had gone for their annual eye screening2, up from 28% and 47% in 2018, respectively. We also found that existing diabetic patients had a better adherence rate compared to new PCN patients3, suggesting that patients who continue care with their PCN clinics receive more regular recommended screenings. We are encouraged by the early results and will work with PCNs to ensure that their patients’ chronic conditions are well-controlled.