Do you want to find groups and support in the community that might help you improve your health and wellbeing? You can find lots of local support from charities to social groups in the Arc Bucks PCN Directory.
They are a simple way of categorising patients based on their specific health needs. It helps our practices understand the individual needs of our patients, based on their health and wellbeing to support personalised care and ensures you get the right support in a timely way.
The image above is a well tested set of 11 segments/groups based on research by John Hopkins University. Factors used for grouping include the number of conditions a person and how severe they are. This helps us decide what level of support they might need.
The categories break down into:
High need (PNG 10-11) – people who have several conditions. They may need regular monitoring or a more coordinated approach.
Low need (PNG 1-4) – people without significant health issues who need less intervention. Preventative care may stop them becoming unwell.
Moderate need (PNG 5-9) – people who have a condition that is well managed. They may need occasional support to remain stable.
You may notice a ‘test result’ appear in your NHS app referring to your Johns Hopkins score. This is part of a national initiative designed to enhance our practice’s understanding of patient group needs. There is no cause for concern regarding this score. The system was developed by Johns Hopkins University, which is renowned for its contributions to advancing medical practices and healthcare systems globally.
What are the benefits of having this information available on patient records:
1. Personalised Care: Healthcare providers can use PNGs to tailor their care plans. This means patients receive the specific type of care they need, whether it’s more frequent monitoring, specialised treatment, or preventive care.
2. Improved Coordination: PNGs help healthcare teams coordinate more effectively. If a patient has complex needs, the care team can work together to ensure all aspects of their health are addressed, from medication management to lifestyle support.
3. Better Resource Allocation: Hospitals and GP Surgeries can allocate resources more efficiently based on the needs of different patient groups. This ensures that patients with the most urgent needs receive timely care, while those with less critical conditions are managed appropriately.
4. Proactive Health Management: For patients in lower-need groups, PNGs encourage preventive care and early intervention. This can help them maintain their health status and avoid complications in the future.
5. Enhanced Communication: PNGs facilitate better communication between patients and healthcare providers. By understanding which group a patient falls into, together they can have clearer discussions about what to expect from the care they receive and what actions they can take to manage their health.