About us

About Us

What is a Primary Care Network?

Primary Care Networks (PCN)

Primary Care Networks (PCN) are an important part of the NHS Long Term Plan. Across Sandy, Biggleswade and the surrounding areas, Sandy Health Centre and Saffron Health Partnership, have come together to form a PCN of approximately 30,000 patients. Our primary focus to provide the structure and funding for services to be developed locally which meet the needs of our patients.

Primary Care Networks will be required to deliver a set of seven national service specifications:

  • Structure medication Reviews (SMR)
  • Enhanced health in Care Homes
  • Anticipatory Care (with community services)
  • Personalised Care
  • Supporting early cancer diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular disease care finding
  • Locally agreed action to tackle inequalities

Each Network is led by a Clinical Director who is a General Practitioner. Dr Arti Patel, Senior Partner for Sandy Health Centre is the Clinical Director for Sandhills PCN.

Take a look at this short animation from NHS England which explains how they work.

Meet our Team

Leadership Team

Dr Arti Patel
Clinical Director

Hello, I’m Arti and I am the Clinical Director for Sandhills PCN and a GP at Sandy Health Centre.

In my free time I love to travel, walking and trekking and reading biographies!

Ashley Persaud
PCN Digital Transformation Lead 

Hi I’m Ashley. I have worked in General Practice for over 15 years before joining Sandhills PCN. Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience supporting patients and working as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality care within the community.

In my free time I enjoy baking, which allows me to be creative as well as spending quality time with my family.

Kelly Houghton
PCN Manager

PCN Clinical Practitioners

Caroline Allford
PCN Emergency Care Practitioner

Hi I’m Caroline. I was working as a paramedic for the London Ambulance Service for 17 years prior to starting at Sandhills PCN. I currently do clinics at our surgeries that deal with minor health problems and minor injuries.

Outside of work I enjoy travel and spending time with friends and family.

Kabi Habib
PCN Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Hi I am Kabi, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Mental Health. Prior to joining the PCN, I worked in secure and acute mental health wards, older adults and triage. My longest service being with the Early Intervention In Psychosis team for 12 years.

I take pleasure in spending time with my family, running, music and having a quiet me time.

Care Coordinators

A Care Coordinator is a trained healthcare professional who helps to manage the patient’s condition and oversees the patient’s treatment plan. They monitor and coordinate treatment plans with patients in order to educate them about their illness and connect them with various medical professionals as needed.

Danyeal Thraves
PCN Care Coordinator

Sarah Stringer
PCN Care Home Care Coordinator

Clinical Pharmacists

Clinical pharmacists are increasingly working as part of general practice teams. They are highly qualified experts in medicines and can help people in a range of ways. This includes carrying out structured medication reviews for patients with ongoing health problems and improving patient safety, outcomes and value through a person-centred approach.

Itayi Rushwaya
Clinical Pharmacist

Hi I am Itayi and I joined the Primary Care Network after many years of community pharmacy. I love to learn and continuously develop myself. Outside of work I enjoy cooking, gardening and spending quality time with my family and friends.

Samantha Merrick
Clinical Pharmacist

Hi, I’m Sam. I’m a Pharmacist based at Sandy Health Centre. Before moving into this role in 2023, I was a community pharmacist for 4 years. I enjoy gardening, swimming, walking, reading books, going to watch live music, especially going to Glastonbury festival (which I’ve been to 3 times!). I don’t have any pets, but I love dogs.

Krishna Bollam
Clinical Pharmacist

First Contact Practitioners (FCP)

Mark Brennan
First Contact Physiotherapist

Hi I’m Mark and I am a First Contact Physiotherapist for Sandhills PCN.

When I am not spending time with family and friends, I like going to the gym walking the dog and attempting to play golf!

Paul Draper
First Contact Physiotherapist

Hi I’m Paul and I am a First Contact Physiotherapist for Sandhills PCN. In my spare time I like to engage with outdoor pursuits including walking and camping. I also enjoy keeping active by playing Tennis, Badminton and occasionally mountain biking. In my down time I like to spend time in the garden or going to the local theatre.

Farah Anverkhan
First Contact Physiotherapist

Hi I’m Farah and I am a First Contact Physiotherapist for Sandhills PCN. In my leisure time, I like reading books, cooking and trying new food. I also love to travel and listen to music.

Matthew Long
First Contact Physiotherapist

General Practitioners Assistants

Joesph McDonnell
PCN General Practitioners Assistant

Tara Day
PCN General Practitioners Assistant

Hi my name is Tara, I am new to the PCN and based in Saffron Health Centre. I have worked in care homes for the last 12 years working my way up from HCA to Advanced Healthcare Practitioner.

I moved over to primary care in June this year starting as a prescriptions clerk and am very much looking forward to applying my skills and knowledge to my new role in the PCN. When I’m not at work I love spending time with my family.

Health & Wellbeing Coaches

A health and wellbeing coach can support you to improve how you manage your physical and mental health. They work with you through a series of sessions to help achieve your personalised health and care plan goals, offering support and advice about diet and lifestyle.

Gemma Essam
PCN Health and Wellbeing Coach

Hi, I’m Gemma and I am the health and wellbeing coach for Sandhills PCN. Although I have worked in similar roles before I have just moved into primary care and look forward to all this entails. I enjoy spending time with my family and children, I am a keen reader and baker and love complimentary therapies and alternative treatments.

Pharmacy Technicians

Priya Mylvaganam
PCN Pharmacy Technician

Hi I’m Priya and I’m a pharmacy technician with experience in a community pharmacy setting, and after ten years, I have moved into primary care. I’m looking forward to expanding my clinical knowledge. I find it challenging but I love it. I enjoy reading books, gardening and spending time with my family and friends.

Social Prescribers

Social prescribing is an all-age, whole population approach that works particularly well for people who:

  • Have one or more long term conditions
  • Who need support with low level mental health issues
  • Who are lonely or isolated
  • Who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

Deborah Taylor
Social Prescriber

Hi, I’m Deb and I am a social prescriber for Biggleswade patients of Sandhills PCN.

I enjoy acting and am in the local Amateur Theatrical Society, BATS. I love to read and exercise and spend time with family and friends. I also run a weekly wellbeing hub and a Facebook group focused on wellbeing.

Sarah Henderson
Social Prescriber

Hello. My name is Sarah and I am a social prescriber for Sandy patients of Sandhills PCN. I have worked in the health and social care sector since the late 1990’s in different parts of England. When I’m not at work I enjoy cycling and spending time with family.

Vacancies

We are currently not looking for any new team members.

Any Practice or PCN roles are advertised on Primary Care Careers.