Important Update for Our Patients | John Hopkins Patient Need Group (PNG)
We would like to inform all patients that our surgery is introducing John Hopkins Patient Need Group (PNG) coding to patient records.
This is an NHS-approved population health management and risk stratification tool that helps healthcare organisations better understand the healthcare needs of their patient population.
The system uses information already held within your medical record to group patients according to their overall healthcare needs and complexity.
What does this mean for you?
- No action is required from patients.
- Your medical care will not change as a result of this coding.
- The coding helps improve planning and delivery of healthcare services.
- It may help the practice identify patients who could benefit from additional support, preventative care or proactive interventions.
Understanding PNG Categories
The system places patients into broad categories based on information already recorded within their medical record. These categories are intended to support healthcare planning and do not represent a diagnosis in themselves.
Blue (PNG 0)
Ungraded / Awaiting Classification
Patients who have not yet been assigned to a PNG category.
Green (PNG 1–6)
General Health / Lower Healthcare Need
Patients without significant health issues who may benefit from preventative healthcare, routine screening and health promotion activities.
Code: General health good (135815002)
Amber (PNG 7–9)
Moderate Healthcare Need
Patients who may have stable long-term health conditions or healthcare needs requiring occasional monitoring, support or intervention.
Code: Chronic long-term disease management required (416239002)
Red (PNG 10–11)
Higher Healthcare Need
Patients with more complex health needs, multiple long-term conditions, or circumstances that may benefit from coordinated care and closer clinical oversight.
Code: Chronic long-term disease management required: complex needs (416357003)
Important Information About These Categories
PNG categories are broad population-health classifications and should not be viewed as diagnostic labels.
Being assigned to a particular category:
- Does not mean you have been diagnosed with a new medical condition.
- Does not automatically place you on a disease management programme.
- Does not change your existing care or treatment.
- Does not create a new diagnosis within your medical record.
The categorisation is generated automatically using information already recorded in your GP record, such as age, medications, previous healthcare utilisation and existing clinical information.
As with any automated system, we recognise that classifications may not always perfectly reflect an individual's circumstances. Where concerns are raised, the practice can review a patient's categorisation and make amendments where appropriate.
How is the Information Used?
The PNG system uses information already held within your medical record, including:
- Long-term health conditions
- Medications
- Previous hospital attendances
- Age
- Other relevant clinical information
This information remains confidential and continues to be protected under NHS data protection and confidentiality requirements.
Why Are We Using PNG Coding?
Using PNG coding helps the practice to:
- Better understand the health needs of our patient population.
- Support preventative and proactive healthcare.
- Improve service planning and resource allocation.
- Identify patients who may benefit from additional support.
- Assist the NHS in delivering care more effectively across the local population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a PNG category mean I have a chronic disease?
No. PNG categories are broad healthcare planning groupings and are not diagnoses.
Has a new diagnosis been added to my record?
Not necessarily. The PNG system uses information already contained within your record to generate a healthcare-needs category.
Can my category be reviewed?
Yes. If you have concerns that your categorisation does not accurately reflect your circumstances, the practice can review this by submitting a SystmConnect request.
Will this affect my insurance?
PNG categories are not diagnoses. If you are asked to declare medical conditions for insurance purposes, you should answer according to the insurer's requirements and the diagnosed conditions recorded within your medical history.
Contacting the surgery about this update
As this is a practice-wide administrative update being applied across patient records, most patients do not need to contact the surgery regarding PNG coding.
However, if you have specific concerns relating to your own record or circumstances, please submit a request via SystmConnect and a member of the team will review this accordingly.