As the landscape of primary care continues to evolve, practices must adapt to the evolving needs of patient and communities.

In our closing panel discussion at PCPN 2024, we brought together thought leaders from across the healthcare sector to explore the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping the future of the sector.

The future role of general practitioners (GPs)

Kicking off the discussion, Kamila Hawthorne, Chair at the Royal College of General Practitioners discussed how the traditional role of GP’s is evolving, with an emphasis on acting as consultants in primary care. With this shift, Kamila identified the many questions that still need to be addressed. She stated, ‘We’re talking now about GPs as being consultants in primary care. What does that mean? Does it mean somebody who sees the most complex patients with longer appointments, leaving the less complex patients to be seen by other members of the team? Is this somebody who has a supervisory role, as it would have to be for physician associates but also for the other allied healthcare professionals?’

She continued, ‘If we’re doubling the number of medical students, increasing the number of GP trainees by 50%, who is going to teach and train them?’ With the number of medical students set to increase significantly, GPs will need to take on teaching and mentorship roles, offering real-world experience and helping shape the future workforce.

Primary care at scale

Scaling is a great way to address systematic pressures in the healthcare sector, including workforce shortages, funding challenges and an increased demand for services, but it’s important that practices remain rooted in the communities they serve, even as they grow larger. Vincent Sai, Partner and CEO at Modality Group stated, ‘We believe scale is the answer going forward, but not scale in corporate ways that lose the identity of who we are… local autonomy remains key for us.’

He continued, ‘We need to be bigger to survive, but that doesn’t mean patients should feel like a number. Local autonomy and personalisation are non-negotiable.’

Ruth Rankine, Director of Primary Care at NHS Confederation highlighted that scaling up primary care is not about creating a one-size-fits-all model but rather a way to build resilience and address the fragility currently seen across the sector. She noted, ‘Is the current model sustainable? Is continuity for care sustainable? You know, I think it’s a big question and a big debate to have, but we’ve got to design something that’s fit for the future, potentially for a workforce that wants to operate and work very differently.’

Leadership and innovation

There is a crucial need for strong leadership and a culture of innovation in primary care to address current challenges and prepare for the future. Hatim Abdulhussein, Chief Executive at Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex noted that primary care has previously pioneered advancements, such as the early adoption of electronic health records, and should continue to lead the way. He stated, ‘I want us to move towards a vision where we re-establish primary care as a home of innovation and transformation.

Leadership involves fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment within practices. Panellists stressed the importance of enabling all staff members to contribute to innovation and feel ownership over the changes being implemented.

Hatim noted that multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are essential for supporting GPs and ensuring a holistic approach to patient care. Innovation often stems from leveraging the strengths of the entire team. He noted, ‘If we rethink our workforce and free up GP time, we can become true leaders in care for our populations.’

Collaboration and system integration

The panel highlighted the importance of collaboration and system integration as a cornerstone for the future of primary care.

Effective integration enables primary care to connect with broader healthcare systems, leverage resources, and provide more cohesive care to communities.

Public health integration was discussed as a key strategy to address long-term conditions and health inequities. Kamila proposed reintegrating public health into the NHS to ensure alignment of campaigns and resources. ‘Public health needs to come back into the NHS so that we can work alongside them on the same campaigns at the same time. We know our communities better than anyone else, so we should lead this effort.’

Technology and AI

Technology is set to play a central role in transforming primary care over the next five years. Digital tools and AI can support preventive care efforts by enabling population health management, identifying high-risk patients, and automating reminders for screenings or vaccinations.

Vincent stated, ‘Embracing digital tools can make prevention more accessible, scalable, and efficient. It’s a key part of how we’ll shift from reactive care to wellness-focused care.’

While technology offers tremendous potential, it’s important to recognise that some may be resistant to change and need additional training and support to adopt these digital solutions.

As Vincent stated, ‘The technology itself isn’t the challenge—it’s about giving people the confidence and training to use it effectively.’

It’s also important for practices to consider health equity when implementing technology, as some patients mays lack access to digital devices or the internet. As Karen Kirkham, Chief Medical Officer at Deloitte stated, ‘Digital tools must work for everyone, not just those who are already tech-savvy. We have to ensure equity in how we implement these innovations.’

Join us at PCPN next year

Want to take part in future discussions? Register your interest to join us at PCPN on 7-8 May!