About Us

Who Are We?

Hello,

My name is Dr Andy Rathborne and I am the Clinical Director for the primary care network. My role is to provide the clinical leadership for the development of the PCN.

The network was formed in 2019 and consists of the 2 practices in Brackley (Brackley Medical Centre and Springfield Surgery) and the 2 surgeries in Towcester (Towcester Medical Centre and Brook Medical Centre). The network employs health care professionals to support primary care in our area.

I have been a GP working at Springfield surgery for the past 25 years. In that time, I have seen a big increase in demand for general practice services. The PCN provides support for the general practice surgeries at a time when primary care services are under a huge strain. As well as providing additional staff to help general practice continue the excellent work that it does, we also looking at new ways of working to improve patient's health and wellbeing.

We are expanding the range of healthcare professionals working in general practice which allows doctors to focus their efforts where they are most needed. It also allows for a greater expertise in helping patients. For example, if you have a musculoskeletal problem such as back pain, you can receive a more expert opinion from a physiotherapist. We also have pharmacists to review your medication and a dedicated mental health worker to support you with mental health problems.

The increase in healthcare professionals working to help patients is very welcome, but we also need to do more to tackle the wider determinants of health problems in our population. Having good health and feeling well depends on more than absence of illness. Many the patients that I see are struggling due to psychological and social factors in their lives. The PCN social prescribers, care coordinators and health coach there to help support patients to improve these factors and allow patients to regain their health. We aim to develop links with the wider community, social care and voluntary sector. In this way we aim to tackle to tackle health inequalities and improve the health and wellbeing of the residents in Brackley, Towcester and the surrounding villages.