A message from your CEO
Dear Colleagues,
As we move into the new financial year, I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on the significant changes and opportunities currently shaping primary care across East Lancashire, and to update you on the ongoing work of the Alliance in supporting practices through this evolving landscape.
NHS 10 Year Plan & ICB Restructuring
The NHS 10 Year Plan continues to drive major transformation across health and care systems nationally. Alongside this, we are currently seeing significant restructuring within the Integrated Care Board (ICB), with changes aimed at streamlining organisations, strengthening neighbourhood working, and delivering care closer to home.
While periods of change can understandably bring uncertainty, the Alliance remains committed to ensuring that the voice of General Practice is represented throughout these discussions. We continue to work closely with the ICB, PCNs, and wider system partners to ensure that any future developments support the sustainability, resilience, and long-term future of primary care services across East Lancashire.
2026/27 Long Term Conditions LES
Practices are now beginning to sign up to the 2026/27 Long Term Conditions (LTC) LES, which represents an important step in the ongoing development of enhanced community-based care. We recognise that there may be areas where gaps in provision or workforce challenges emerge as services evolve, and the Alliance is actively working with the ICB to help support delivery across the system.
At present, I am working closely with colleagues to develop practical delivery models that can support practices and PCNs where additional capacity or coordinated approaches may be required. Our priority is to ensure that practices feel supported and that services remain safe, sustainable, and patient-focused throughout implementation.
Supporting Practices in the New Financial Year
The start of a new financial year always brings both challenges and opportunities for practices. We recognise the continued pressures facing General Practice, including workforce demands, operational pressures, increasing patient need, and financial constraints.
The Alliance remains here to support practices wherever possible — whether through service delivery support, collaborative working opportunities, workforce initiatives, operational guidance, or representing General Practice at system level discussions. Our focus remains on working alongside practices and PCNs to strengthen resilience and help create sustainable models for the future.
Alliance Organisational Development
One of our key priorities over recent months has been progressing work to strengthen and modernise the structure of the Alliance itself. A significant part of this work has focused on developing proposals for practices to become shareholders within the organisation, helping to further embed practice ownership, engagement, and representation within the Federation model.
Good progress is being made, and we expect to share further details and formal communications with practices soon. We believe this development represents an important step in ensuring the Alliance continues to evolve in a way that reflects the needs and ambitions of General Practice across East Lancashire.
Looking Ahead
As we move further into 2026/27, there will undoubtedly continue to be change across the wider NHS landscape. However, there are also real opportunities for General Practice to shape the future of neighbourhood working, integrated care, and locally delivered services.
Thank you, as always, for your continued commitment, collaboration, and support. The dedication shown by practice teams across East Lancashire continues to make a tremendous difference to our patients and communities, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the months ahead.
Kind regards.
Nigat Sultana, Chief Executive Officer
Table of Contents
Research
In our last issue, we shared the news that a new Research Nurse was joining the Alliance. Three months in, Shereen Farooq has already been working closely with practices across East Lancashire to expand opportunities for primary care research.
Over the past few months, Shereen has been engaging with PCNs to explore how practices can get involved in research activity. A common question has been how research fits alongside existing priorities and capacity within practices. Shereen’s aim is to support practices so that participation in research is manageable and runs alongside day-to-day care – often requiring only a small amount of protected time each week.
Getting involved in research brings several benefits. Patients may gain access to new studies or treatments that are not yet widely available, while practices can also receive funding and additional resources to support the delivery of research activity.
Several studies are already underway, including Genes & Health, SUCCESS, Safe-D and Asymptomatic.
SUCCESS – A survey exploring patients’ views on home blood pressure monitoring. Patients receive a text message with a link to share their experiences.
Genes & Health – A large study focusing on the British South Asian population. Early findings have highlighted how genetic variation can affect how some medicines, such as clopidogrel, work in certain individuals.
Shereen has also been attending regional research and health promotion events to build connections and raise awareness of research opportunities within primary care. Engagement with community groups, pharmacists and local organisations has shown strong interest from the public, with many people keen to contribute to research and help improve future healthcare.
Across East Lancashire, research hubs are already supporting this work. Sites such as Richmond and Hazel Valley have developed dedicated resources and spaces to help promote research and make it easier for patients to get involved.
Looking ahead, Shereen hopes to continue building momentum by working with more practices and communities to increase participation in research across the area. As NHS England continues to highlight research as a key part of improving health outcomes, expanding opportunities within primary care will play an important role in delivering that ambition.
The Advance Care Planning (ACP) project continues to make a meaningful difference across East Lancashire. The service has now been offered to all 46 practices, with strong engagement from across the locality.
The positive impact of this work has also been recognised by the ICB with the body recently confirming that the project will be recommissioned for 2026/27.
To date, 282 advance care plans have been initiated. Each plan is developed through a series of holistic conversations, typically over three appointments, ensuring that individuals’ wishes, needs and preferences are fully understood. The team works closely with partners including hospices, social care and Integrated Neighbourhood Teams to provide coordinated, person-centred support.
Once completed, care plans are shared across the wider health system in line with the Pennine Lancashire pathway, allowing relevant professionals to access and act on them when it matters most.
A key measure of success is whether the individuals we’ve worked with are able to receive support in their preferred place of care. Over the past six months, the project has seen 40 people die. Of these, 26 were supported in their preferred place of care. This highlights the important role the ACP plays in supporting end-of-life choice and dignity.
Finally, a new Advance Care Planning leaflet developed by the team has now been ratified by the Pennine Lancashire End of Life Care Steering Group. This will support a more consistent approach to raising awareness and encouraging conversations about advance care planning across the system.
Service overview:
Based at head office, the HR team provide support on all aspects of HR for the Alliance and PCNs. The department provide a professional, responsive service to all the teams they serve – ensuring that the full employee lifecycle, demands, and challenges are met.
HR also works to ensure that we are CQC compliant in all areas and liaise closely with managers from other departments. Key areas that we support with include interviews, inductions, assurances, sickness absence meetings, maternity risk assessments and advise on policies and processes.
Important law changes to be aware of:
April brought several major changes under the Employment Rights Act 2025 including changes to parental leave, Statutory Sick Pay, and the National Living Wage.
Changes to Statutory Sick Pay: One of the most immediate changes affects Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). From April 2026, SSP is now payable from day one of sickness absence.
Day-One Family and Parental Rights: As of 6 April 2026, employees no longer need 26 weeks of service to qualify for statutory paternity leave or unpaid parental leave.
National Living Wage Increase: The National Living Wage rises to £12.71 per hour from April 2026, an increase of 4.1%. The rate for 18 to 20-year-olds jumps to £10.85 per hour, a more substantial 8.5% increase
Useful links for staff:
Acas gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice. They also offer training and help to resolve disputes.
NHS Pensions can be contacted using the following methods:
Email: nhsbsa.pensionsmember@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.
Online Form: Use the online contact form available on the NHSBSA website.
Phone: Call the NHS Pension Scheme Helpline at 01253 774774.
General Inquiries: For pay and pension inquiries, you can call 0303 123 1144, available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Our coding service continues to provide flexible, high-quality support to practices across the region, offering both ad-hoc and long-term solutions tailored to your needs.
We currently have a dedicated team of 8 experienced coders, all working to ensure documents are processed efficiently and accurately in line with the latest coding standards and regulations. Over the last month, the team has successfully coded 20,983 documents, helping practices reduce backlogs and maintain up-to-date records.
Our service includes, coding, filing, and forwarding documentation, ensuring a seamless and compliant workflow from start to finish.
If your practice requires support with document coding, whether short-term assistance or ongoing provision, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling Hajra Patel on 01282 222 074 or email: hajra.patel5@nhs.net to discuss how we can help.
The Parkinson’s Community Nurse service supports Parkinson’s patients and their families through complex problems that are related to their illness. They are nurses with additional knowledge and skills.
The Nurse Specialists work closely with GP’s, community nurse teams and care agencies who may be involved in supporting Parkinson’s patients. They advise on symptom management and provide support with physical, emotional or social issues.
The service is provided through clinics held in Burnley, Barnoldswick, Hyndburn, Pendle, Clitheroe & Rossendale, as well as home visits and visits to hospitals and care homes. To refer into the service, the only requirement is a confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson’s.
Newly diagnosed event, 22nd May:
Our next Newly Diagnosed event will be held on the 22nd May at the Leisure Box. Patients who have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s can come along and learn about different symptoms, the importance of staying active, local support groups and more. A range of professionals and support services will be attending the event to ensure patients can access all the information and support they need. Further details to follow.
World Parkinson’s Day:
On the 11th April, we marked World Parkinson’s Day – a yearly opportunity for the Parkinson’s community to come together, raise awareness and build connections.
Service overview:
ELA provides the Enhanced Access Service for 5 PCN’s (Burnley East, Burnley West, Rossendale East, Rossendale West & Hyndburn Rural), offering a mix of face-to-face and remote consultations with GP’s, ANP’s, Practice Nurses and HCA’s from Monday to Saturday.
Vital support during the winter period
ELA will have delivered a total of 16,928 additional face-to-face GP appointments between mid-November and the end of March, providing vital support to practices during a period of increased demand. This has been specifically aimed at helping General Practice manage the added pressures typically experienced over the winter months, ensuring that more patients are able to access timely, in-person care when they need it most.
Need to speak to the us regarding one of our services?
The main contacts for our services are:
Coding Service - Hajra Patel
01282 222 074
hajra.patel5@nhs.net
Enhanced Access - Lindsay Gledhill
01282 222670
lindsay.gledhill@nhs.net
HR & Recruitment
01282 222955
elalliance.hr@nhs.net
Finance
01282 222677
elalliance.finance@nhs.net
Parkinson’s Community Nurse Service
01282 222 688
parkinson.comnurse@nhs.net
Advance Care Planning
Nicky Parkes – nicola.parkes9@nhs.net
Sarah Drachenberg – sarah.drachenberg1@nhs.net
Kyla Allen – kyla.allen@nhs.net
The HR Team is currently in the process of onboarding a new Service Delivery Officer – due to start with the Alliance in May 2026.
Be sure to check our recruitment page regularly to find the latest opportunities to work with us.
Delivered by Health Assured, the Employee Assistance Programme provides 24-hour access to confidential support or information on finances, bereavement, housing concerns, and much more.
Working closely with our Primary Care Networks to support the delivery of quality healthcare.
If you have any questions or would like to feature an update in the next newsletter, please contact: iain.schofield@nhs.net
East Lancashire Alliance, Empire Way, Burnley BB12 6HH