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Patient Needs Group
What it is and what it means for you
A new set of initials in your NHS health record: ACG/PNG Score
This information about the Johns Hopkins scores is repeated here as it is a new system, and there was no information in the last Newsletter about how patients could find their scores. You do need to have the NHS app on your device. If you do not have the App, see the note at the end of this Newsletter. Log in and go to test results then GP ordered test results.
The initials stand for Adjusted Clinical Risk Group/Patient Needs Group score. It refers to a system devised by Johns Hopkins University to help healthcare teams understand the overall health and care needs of their patients.
Scores are automatically calculated using existing information in your medical record - for example, your health conditions, test results, prescriptions, and recent care episodes. It is not a diagnosis and does not affect your access to care or treatment; it is simply used to help the NHS plan and deliver care more effectively.
How do PNGs work?
- Everyone is different. Some people are very healthy, some have one or two health problems, and some have many health problems.
- The PNG system puts people into 11 different groups based on how much care and support they are likely to need.
- Your group can change if your health changes.
Watch a video about Patient Need Groups and neighbourhood teams
Patient Need Groups (PNGs)
The Patient Need Groups (PNGs) help us understand how much care and support each patient is likely to need, based on their health conditions, how often they use healthcare, and how complex their needs are.
There are 11 groups in total, ranging from healthy people to those with very complex or serious health needs:
- Non-Users
- Low-Need Child
- Low-Need Adult
- Low Complexity Morbidity
- Medium Complexity Morbidity
- Pregnancy Low Complexity
- Pregnancy High Complexity
- Dominant Psychiatric Condition
- Dominant Major Chronic Condition
- Multi-Morbidity High Complexity
- Frailty
Knowing these groups helps explain why different patients might need different types or levels of care.
In order to help us tailor care according to individual patient need, we now have access to a tool that categorises our population into these 11 groups.
What do the scores mean?
Scores run from 0 to 11, grouped into three bands:
Low need
- 1Non-user
- 2Low need Child
- 3Low need Adult
- 4Low Complexity Morbidity
Medium need
- 5Medium Complexity Morbidity
- 6Pregnancy Low Complexity
- 7Pregnancy High Complexity
- 8Dominant Psychiatric Condition
- 9Dominant Major Chronic Condition
High need
- 10Multi-Morbidity High Complexity
- 11Frailty
Further information
Why is this information useful?
Having this score helps in a number of ways:
- Helps healthcare services plan and coordinate support more effectively
- Supports better allocation of resources
- Encourages proactive and preventive health management
- Helps direct care to where it’s need most
- Supports clearer conversations between you and your healthcare team
How often do scores change?
Scores are reviewed monthly and can change based on things like hospital admissions, new diagnoses, or new medications.
What this means for you
For example, if you contact the surgery about a suspected urinary tract infection (UTI) and you're in the low need group, you may be referred to a local pharmacist for advice and treatment, rather than seeing a GP. This is sometimes known as "Pharmacy First."
Patients in the moderate or high need groups are less likely to be referred this way, as they often benefit more from seeing their usual GP team, who already know their health history. Those with the highest level of need may also already be supported by a dedicated team who keep a closer eye on their care.
This helps make sure GP appointments go to those who need them most, while everyone still gets the right care for their situation.
This process does not affect your diagnosis, or your entitlement to care. Your care will be guided by professional clinical judgment, your individual needs, and conversations with your healthcare team.