With all information indicating that there will be a further shift from secondary to primary care and a drive towards prevention over treatment, it is highly likely that PCNs and their incorporate vehicles will play an increasing role in the delivery of health and care services.  With this in mind, we will explore the ongoing trend that has seen PCNs seek to incorporate and create an umbrella corporate entity through which network and other activities can be completed.

We will look at the options, potential benefits and pitfalls when it comes to incorporation and, from our experience of working with a number of PCNs, discuss the core decisions that PCNs need to take when setting up and running their company. This includes, board structure, the restrictions on who can hold shares, share transfers, decision making, voting rights, the rights to dividends, financial contributions and the handling of opportunities that may materialise in the locality (i.e. who has priority, the PCN members or the company).