Northern Ireland Primary Care Network
The Northern Ireland Primary Care Network (NIPCN) was set up in 2025 to support primary care stakeholders to play a key role in the delivery of the reset plan for health and social care (HSC) in Northern Ireland. The network covers general practice, pharmacy, optometry and dentistry, ensuring that primary care has a strong voice within the HSC system.
The network is coordinated by Northern Ireland Confederation for Health and Social Care (NICON) in collaboration with the NHS Confederation’s Primary Care Network. It is funded by its membership, with additional support from the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG).
Our vision is to create a sustainable, thriving, and innovative primary care sector that is an integral part of the transformation of health and social care services in NI.
Dr Siobhán McEntee has been appointed as the NI Primary Care Network Lead, bringing over 30 years of experience as a GP and clinical leader into the role. She will support the establishment and development of a thriving primary care network, which provides leadership and amplifies the views and perspectives of its members.
Aims and objectives
The core aims of the network will be to provide a strong voice for primary care within conversations on health policy, while also creating a collaborative space to support the development of ambitious strategic approaches and allow clinicians to share learning.
Our initial priorities include:
- Bringing key stakeholders together to build consensus and represent agreed views to key policy makers;
- Supporting the development of new ways of working by enabling multidisciplinary and neighbourhood-based models of care, ensuring all pillars of primary care have a voice in co-creating these emerging arrangements;
- Building strong external links with the NHS Confederation and wider system partners to encourage innovative thinking and share best practice and new models of care;
- Working with partners to advocate for sustainable primary care, with recurrent investment that strengthens capacity, supports staff wellbeing, and ensures quality services for patients and communities.
More Information
If you are interested in working with the NI Primary Care Network or becoming a member, please contact siobhan.mcentee@niconfedhss.org.