Pennine GP Alliance (PGPA) is excited to publish its first-ever Annual Review, marking a significant milestone in its journey over the past decade. Since its formation in 2014, PGPA has worked tirelessly to ensure that GP services remain at the heart of local communities in Calderdale. The Annual Review offers an in-depth look at the achievements of the past year, as well as a celebration of the impact PGPA has had over the last ten years in transforming healthcare delivery in the region.
Who We Are
Pennine GP Alliance is an innovative organisation dedicated to supporting general practices and primary care networks (PCNs) across Calderdale. Our mission is to secure health contracts that keep primary care at the heart of local communities by working with local providers. By doing so, we ensure that patients continue to see familiar healthcare professionals in trusted locations, while benefiting from an expanding range of services tailored to their needs.
PGPA employs over 100 staff, a diverse team of clinical and non-clinical professionals based at our office headquarters or out in the community, directly supporting patients and primary care networks across Calderdale.
What We Do
PGPA plays a vital role in strengthening the primary care landscape in Calderdale through a range of services that support both general practices and patients. Our key areas of focus include:
- Securing Health Contracts – A primary goal of PGPA is to secure as many health contracts as possible to keep primary care services delivered by local providers. This ensures patients receive care from the people and places they know and trust, while also expanding the services available to meet their healthcare needs.
- Full Organisational Support to Primary Care Networks (PCNs) – PGPA provides comprehensive support to four of the PCNs in Calderdale, including:
- Full HR services to manage workforce needs.
- Full financial management services to ensure effective resource allocation
- PCN administration to streamline operations.
- Communications support to improve engagement with patients and stakeholders.
- Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) employment to recruit, onboard and support the additional health professional roles available in general practice that are designed to expand the growing needs of the workforce.
- Managing and Mobilising Healthcare Services – PGPA plays a crucial role in helping general practices manage increasing patient demand and capacity. By mobilising healthcare services effectively, we ensure that patients with specific health conditions have improved access to the services they need.
- Rolling Out Patient-Facing Health Services – PGPA is involved in the development and delivery of new patient-facing health services. This process includes conducting research, compiling business cases, recruiting appropriate workforce, accessing clinical systems, communicating with patients, and evaluating the impact of services.
- Digital Transformation – PGPA hosts the Calderdale Digital Transformation Team, which leads the improvement and innovation in the use of digital technology across general practice. Our efforts aim to ensure that digital tools enhance care delivery, increase efficiency, and improve the overall patient experience.
Celebrating 10 Years of Impact: Key Achievements
As we reflect on the past decade, we are proud to highlight several key achievements that showcase PGPA’s impact on the local healthcare system:
- NHS Health Checks Program: For 7 years, PGPA has facilitated the NHS Health Checks programme in Calderdale, completing 7,665 checks in 2022-2023 – the highest number ever undertaken in the region.
- Workforce Investment: PGPA has invested in Calderdale’s primary care workforce, employing over 84 ARRS and PCN health professionals. The ARRS scheme, which PGPA first introduced in 2019 with social prescribing link workers, has expanded year on year.
- Acute Respiratory Infection Hubs: In response to the Strep A outbreak, PGPA rapidly delivered the first acute respiratory infection hubs in 2022. The service expanded in 2023/2024, demonstrating PGPA’s ability to mobilise quickly and assist in managing pressures across the Calderdale health system.
- GP Appointments on Sundays and Bank Holidays: PGPA continues to manage out-of-hours GP appointments on Sundays and bank holidays, providing vital care to patients and alleviating pressure on A&E and general practice services.
- Covid-19 Response: PGPA played a central role in Calderdale’s Covid-19 response, supporting the delivery of hundreds of vaccination clinics, administering over 422,560 vaccines, and onboarding over 150 volunteers to assist in the effort.
- Community Diagnostic Spirometry Service: In 2023, PGPA was awarded its first multi-year service contract to deliver the community diagnostic spirometry service, further demonstrating PGPA’s ability to scale services for patient benefit.
Looking to the Future
PGPA is focused on continued investment in patient-facing health initiatives and improving healthcare delivery in Calderdale. Our ongoing work will ensure that GP services remain sustainable, efficient, and responsive to the needs of local patients.
The organisation is also committed to a focus on digital approaches as a route to transforming our understanding of health inequalities as well as delivering efficient public health initiatives.
Will Menzies, CEO of PGPA says: “Looking back on the past ten years, I am incredibly proud of what PGPA has accomplished and the positive impact we’ve had on both healthcare providers and patients in Calderdale. Our success is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our team, our GP practices, and our local communities. As we move into the next decade, we remain focused on our core mission: to ensure GP services continue to be the cornerstone of community healthcare. The future is bright, and we’re excited to continue this journey with all our partners.”
John Somers, Chair of the PGPA Board says: “As we celebrate a decade of progress, it’s clear that PGPA’s commitment to strengthening local healthcare has truly made a difference in the lives of the people in Calderdale. This Annual Review not only reflects the incredible work we’ve done but also highlights the dedication and collaborative spirit of our team, partners, and communities. The journey ahead holds great promise, and we remain unwavering in our commitment to ensuring that primary care services continue to be at the heart of our communities.”
The PGPA Annual Review is available for download on our website here and will be shared with stakeholders, partners, and the wider public. For more information on our services and initiatives, please visit our About Us page.