Patient Needs Groups (PNG)
Patient Needs Groups explained
You may notice a test result appear in your NHS app referring to Johns Hopkins adjusted clinical groups. In order to help us tailor care according to individual patient need, we now have access to a tool that segments or categorises our patient population into Patient Need Groups (PNGs). This system of segmentation, called the ACG® System, was developed by Johns Hopkins University1, which is renowned for its contributions to advancing medical practices and healthcare systems globally. Segmentation helps us as a practice understand the individual needs of our patients based on their health and wellbeing to support personalised care and ensures you get the right support in a timely way.
The aim of PNG segmentation is to:
- support better planning of appointments and services
- help practices understand demand more accurately
- improve continuity and access for patients
- identify groups who may benefit from proactive or personalised care
How the segmentation works
The model uses information already held in your medical record (such as long term conditions, recent activity and complexity) to place patients into one of several needs based groups. This is done automatically and does not affect your care, your rights, or the way you contact the practice.
Why we are publishing this information
All GP practices are required by NHS England to explain the PNG model to patients as part of the
Modern General Practice Access programme. This page is intended to provide transparency about how the model works and how it supports the practice in planning services.
Does this change my care
No. PNG segmentation does not change your registration, access to appointments, or the way you receive care. It is simply a tool to help the practice understand the needs of the population as a whole.
What are the benefits of having this information available on patient records?
- Personalised Care: Healthcare providers can use PNGs to tailor their care plans. This means patients receive the specific type of care they need, whether it’s more frequent monitoring, specialised treatment, or preventive care.
- Improved Coordination: PNGs help healthcare teams coordinate more effectively. If a patient has complex needs, the care team can work together to ensure all aspects of their health are addressed, from medication management to lifestyle support.
- Better Resource Allocation: Hospitals and GP Surgeries can allocate resources more efficiently based on the needs of different patient groups. This ensures that patients with the most urgent needs receive timely care, while those with less critical conditions are managed appropriately.
- Proactive Health Management: For patients in lower-need groups, PNGs encourage preventive care and early intervention. This can help them maintain their health status and avoid complications in the future.
- Enhanced Communication: PNGs facilitate better communication between patients and healthcare providers. By understanding which group a patient falls into, together they can have clearer discussions about what to expect from the care they receive and what actions they can take to manage their health.
Why don’t I have a Johns Hopkins adjusted clinical groups score in my test results?
If you have previously opted out of sharing your health record with local health services and/or used the national data opt-out, you will not have a score.
What if I am unhappy about my data being used for population health management?
The ACG® system helps us to help you get the right support at the right time based on your specific health needs. However, if you wish to opt out, you can do so by choosing ‘national data opt-out’: Make your choice about sharing data from your health records - NHS
