Your Guide to Funding Through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS)

It’s no secret that the healthcare industry has been facing a significant skills shortage over the past few years. There are a few different ways that the NHS has looked to address this, including the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). This scheme is a fantastic opportunity for Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in the UK to enhance their services by incorporating a range of healthcare professionals into their teams. It is designed to alleviate the pressures on general practitioners (GPs) by broadening the care spectrum, allows PCNs to claim back a significant portion of employment costs for specific roles. In this article, we’ll provide you with a guide to funding through ARRS to help you get the most out of this scheme.

What is the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS)?

The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) is an initiative by NHS England designed to financially support Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in expanding their multidisciplinary teams. Introduced as part of the NHS Long Term Plan, the ARRS aims to bolster primary care services by funding additional professional roles that are not typically found in traditional general practice settings. This scheme is a response to the growing pressures on GPs and the need for a broader range of healthcare services at the community level.

How ARRS Works

Through ARRS, PCNs can employ professionals such as:

• Pharmacists
• Physiotherapists
• Physician associates
• Paramedics
• Mental health practitioners

This list is far from exhaustive, as it covers a wide range of non-clinical roles in healthcare. The roles covered by ARRS are intended to provide more comprehensive care to patients, reduce waiting times, and alleviate the workload on GPs by distributing patient care responsibilities across a team of specialised professionals. The scheme covers a significant portion, and in some cases, all of the salary costs for these additional roles, making it financially feasible for PCNs to enhance their services and improve patient outcomes. By integrating a diverse range of healthcare professionals, PCNs can offer more holistic and accessible care to their communities.

How to Use ARRS

ARRS funding is exclusive to PCNs and supports the employment of various non-doctor roles. The goal is to create a multidisciplinary healthcare team capable of addressing diverse patient needs more efficiently. This approach aims to ease the burden on GPs while also improving patient access to specialised care within their local community. So, let’s take a look at how to get the most out of ARRS:

1. Join or Be Part of a Primary Care Network (PCN)

The first step to accessing ARRS funding is ensuring that your practice is part of a PCN. If your practice is not yet a member of a PCN, you will need to either join an existing network or form a new one with nearby practices. Being part of a PCN is fundamental as ARRS funding is not available to individual practices.

2. Identify the Roles You Need

Once part of a PCN, it's important to identify which roles are necessary for enhancing your patient care services. The ARRS covers various professional roles, including pharmacists, occupational therapists, paramedics, care coordinators, and many more non-doctor roles. Excitingly, the scheme now also includes support for newly qualified GPs (within two years of qualification), providing an excellent opportunity to integrate new talent into your team. To identify these roles, it’s advisable to collaborate with other members of your PCN to determine which ones will best meet the needs of your patient population and fill gaps in your current services.

3. Submit Your Workforce Plan

A well-thought-out workforce plan is required to secure ARRS funding. This plan, developed in collaboration with your PCN and approved by your local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) or Integrated Care System (ICS), should detail the roles you wish to recruit and how they will benefit your network and patients. Ensure that your plan includes the number of staff for each role and a clear justification for how these roles will enhance patient care.

4. Recruit Staff

Following approval of your workforce plan, your PCN can proceed with recruiting the identified roles. ARRS funding covers up to 100% of the salary costs for these positions, up to the set salary caps, which vary by role. It's important to adhere strictly to these financial guidelines to ensure full reimbursement.

5. Claim Reimbursement

After employing the new staff, your PCN can begin claiming reimbursement for their salaries through the CCG/ICS. Accurate and timely record-keeping of employment details is essential for this process to work well. Regular submissions will facilitate the recovery of costs without delays.

6. Monitor and Report

Ongoing monitoring and reporting can help demonstrate the effectiveness of the roles funded through ARRS. Regular updates to the CCG/ICS should detail the impact of these roles on patient care and the functioning of the primary care teams. This data helps assess the value added by the ARRS investment and for making any necessary adjustments to the workforce plan.

Additional Tips for Maximising ARRS Funding

ARRS has the potential to dramatically improve patient care across the industry, but it takes a good understanding of this scheme to get the most out of it. Below are a couple of extra tips to make sure you’re maximising your ARRS funding:

• Collaboration is Key: Engage with your PCN’s clinical directors and practice managers to ensure that the implementation of the ARRS-funded roles is cohesive and strategically aligned with broader network goals.

• Stay Informed: Keep abreast of any updates or changes to the ARRS scheme. Funding, eligible roles, and reimbursement rules can change, and staying informed will help your PCN adapt and continue to benefit from the scheme.

Unlock New Funding Through ARRS

The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) is a powerful tool for improving patient care within the NHS by diversifying the professional mix in primary care settings. By following these guidelines, PCNs can effectively utilise this funding to reduce GP workloads and enhance the quality and range of care available to patients.

This article was written by Dan Hennessey, Desk Head - Primary Care at Globe Locums. With over 11 years of experience in Primary Care recruitment, Dan is passionate about helping Primary Care Networks enhance their teams and services. If you’d like to discuss the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) further or explore how it can benefit your network, feel free to reach out to Dan directly at [email protected].