About Us

Wansbeck PCN was established in July 2019 following several years working collaboratively to deliver enhanced access to our patient population. As a result of this we have a strong working relationship to provide a collaborative approach to excellent healthcare while serving the individual needs of our practice populations. 
We are a partnership of four practices made up of Seaton Park Medical Group, Bedlingtonshire Medical Group, Guidepost Medical Group and The Gables Medical Group.

Wansbeck PCN provides care for the communities in and around Newbiggin, Ashington, Guide Post, Choppington, Stakeford, Bedlington, East Sleekburn, Ellington, Lynemouth, Pegswood, Hepscott. 

Our PCN is led by our Clinical Director, Dr Orla Collins with the support of our PCN Manager Sally Fox. Dr Collins is based at Seaton Park Medical Group and has over 20 years GP experience including working across medical education, GP training and population health. 

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The four Practices meet regularly and work collaboratively to support the needs of our Patient population. The relationship each Practice has with its patients is important. We value equality of treatment and understand the need to listen and respect all our patient population.

As a PCN we are currently working together on a number of projects to support our community and neighbourhoods. These include more awareness of cancer presentations and the importance of screening; tackling inequalities in access to healthcare; striving to get more patients active in the community with support to get back into the workplace, become more physically active or socialise more with the neighbours. 

We are working closely with our community partners to develop relationships which build on the strengths that already exist within our community. 

We continue to develop our workforce so that our patients have access to a wide range of health care professionals.  This includes collaborating with our integrated teams within the community such as social care providers and community nursing teams who support the care given by GP's, Practice Nurses, Physios, and Pharmacists.

In addition, our Practices have the support of newly developed roles. The aim of these roles is to enhance the care given within General Practice providing extra appointments for patients and allowing the patient to see a clinician with expertise in what they present with. 

These new roles include:

  • Pharmacists who support with management of chronic disease, medication reviews including for those on a lot of different medications or who have some more needs such as frailty or chronic pain. 
  • Community Link Workers who provide personalised care and support to patients with difficulties that affect their recovery from illness or ability to live their best life. 
  • Mental Health Practitioners, Health and Wellbeing Coaches, Dieticians and First Contact Physiotherapists.

The number of roles is developing and expanding as we mature which will continue to enhance patient care.