Community Assets and Services
The North Tyneside Cancer Prevention Network (CPN) brings together professional partners such as the North East North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB), NHS England (NHSE), Primary Care Networks (PCN) and the Voluntary, Community and Enterprise Sector (VCSE).
The CPN have worked to increase coverage by avoiding duplication and working collaboratively across three main areas – awareness of signs and symptoms, cancer screening programmes and early detection and diagnosis.
Key stakeholders include representation from the four North Tyneside PCNs, Tyne Health GP Federation, Healthwatch North Tyneside, LDNE, Live Well with Cancer and North Tyneside VODA. This is not an exhaustive list and the CPN is working with other partners as well on the cervical screening agenda.
There are numerous cancer patient engagement and support groups/networks in North Tyneside. Some operate on regional footprints as well:
- Northern Cancer Voices
- North of Tyne and Gateshead Patient and Professional Group
- North Tyneside Patient Forum
These groups are contributing to establishing the remit of the Cancer Prevention Network and the CPN is providing data and public health expertise for their activity as well.
Enhanced Access
One mechanism commissioned to increase accessibility of general practice appointments within North Tyneside is the Enhanced Access Service. Enhanced Access refers to a system introduced by the NHS in England to improve patient access to primary care services outside of normal GP practice hours within evening and weekend clinics. It is part of the broader NHS England plan to make care more flexible and accessible to meet the needs of local communities. Cervical screening appointments are offered within Enhanced Access clinics[31].
Since October 2022 in North Tyneside, PCNs have been responsible for providing this service under the Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (DES). Clinics run at different sites and various times and days of the week from North Tyneside’s dedicated enhanced access hubs, located at GP practices and community venues across North Tyneside. As of 2025, both North Shields and North West PCNs run their own Enhanced Access clinics. TyneHealth GP Federation provide the Enhanced Access Service on behalf of both Wallsend and Whitley Bay PCN. Residents are only able to book into their respective PCN clinic[32].
[31]Cervical screening enhanced access. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/gp/investment/gp-contract/network-contract-directed-enhanced-service-des/enhanced-access-faqs/ [accessed 16/6/2025]
[32] Tynehealth (2025) women’s health services. Available at: https://tynehealth.org.uk/findoutmore/cervical-screening/ [accessed 16/6/2025]