The Primary Care Home programme has gathered huge momentum since its inception in autumn 2015. From 15 original rapid test sites– they now have more than 190 sites across England, covering eight million patients– 14 per cent of the population.

Applications continue to come in – all are very welcome to join what has all the hallmarks of a social movement across integrated care. Its success, they believe, is because it is bringing about the change that clinicians know is right for their patients – something they’ve always wanted to do. Staff now feel empowered and excited, with the freedom to innovate and drive improvements. It is also about the human scale of the change where people feel they belong, own local challenges and can make a real difference working alongside their patients. Many have started with small changes that have led to early benefits and created a compelling case for further collaboration.

There are many more examples here of the difference primary care homes are beginning to make because of people coming together, seeking economies of scale and collaborating with others. These range from social prescribing and working with the voluntary sector and local government agencies, to more community-based specialised clinics, enhanced services for people with mental health problems and improving access. The primary care home has been endorsed in the NHS’ latest delivery plan Next Steps on the NHS Five Year Forward View – a testimony to the success of sites which have already embarked on the primary care home journey. This is a journey that’s joining up not only practices but all first contact providers – a true care community coming together to improve the health and wellbeing of their local population.