PCNs that have not used their GP additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) funding have been asked to set out their ‘recruitment intentions’ to their integrated care boards (ICBs) by NHS England.
In a letter to practices and PCNs sent at the end of last week, NHS England’s director for primary care, Dr Amanda Doyle, said networks must ‘set out their recruitment intentions for the remainder of the financial year to their ICB by 31 January 2025’ adding that ICBs would provide advice and support to PCNs who have not used the funding.
The letter states: ‘We are monitoring the data on the number of GPs recruited and will be asking regions and ICBs to work with those PCNs who have not yet taken advantage of the GP ARRS funding and to provide support where required.
‘PCNs who have not yet claimed reimbursement for a recently qualified GP in 2024/25 are asked to set out their recruitment intentions for the remainder of the financial year to their ICB by 31 January 2025. ICBs stand ready to advise PCNs on any concerns or questions they have.’
The letter also reaffirms a commitment to continue the funding into 2025/26, an issue which Dr Doyle says has been a ‘barrier’ to recruitment.
‘We have heard that uncertainty over whether GP ARRS funding will continue in 2025/26 has been a barrier for some PCNs in undertaking recruitment of recently qualified GPs.
‘On the 20 December 2024, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care wrote to all GP practices in England regarding the proposed funding uplift for General Practice in 2025/26 and to provide reassurance that this additional GP ARRS funding will continue into 2025/26.’
Newly qualified GPs were added to the scheme in October 2024 with an £82m funding pot aimed at getting PCNs to employ more than 1,000 additional GPs and ‘help resolve GP unemployment amongst recently qualified GPs and improve care for patients’.
Although there are as yet no official figures on the number of GPs now hired through the scheme, RCGP chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne in December said her most recent update from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) revealed that of the 1,000 ARRS GP jobs available, just over 300 have been filled.
A version of this article was first published by our sister title Pulse PCN
