The Impact of ARRS GPs on Primary Care Teams

• 22nd March 2025

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1. The Impact of ARRS GPs on Primary Care Teams
2. Expanding Workforce Capacity
3. Enhancing Patient Care
4. Challenges and Limitations
5. Future-Proof Your ARRS GP Workforce with Core Prescribing Solutions

The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) is reshaping primary care by expanding workforce capacity within Primary Care Networks (PCNs). With ARRS GP funding launching in October 2024, PCNs will be able to recruit ARRS-funded GPs, offering a more structured and cost-effective approach to GP workforce planning. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on locums, ease staffing pressures, and improve patient access—but what impact will it have on primary care teams?

This article explores:

• How ARRS GP workforce expansion will help address staffing shortages
• The effect of ARRS in primary care on patient access, workload distribution, and service efficiency
• Key challenges, funding limitations, and the long-term sustainability of ARRS GP expansion

By the end, you’ll understand how these changes will shape the future of primary care and what PCNs must consider maximising the benefits.

Expanding Workforce Capacity

One of the key objectives of ARRS GP integration is to tackle primary care staffing challenges by increasing the availability of GPs within Primary Care Networks (PCNs). With the ongoing pressure on general practice, GP workforce expansion is critical to ensuring patient demand is met while reducing burnout among existing staff.

Key ways ARRS workforce planning supports primary care staffing challenges:

• Reduces GP shortages by embedding ARRS-funded GPs into PCN teams.
• Improves workload distribution, preventing excessive pressure on existing clinicians.
• Creates structured career pathways for newly qualified GPs, encouraging long-term retention.
• Ensures cost-effective workforce growth, maximising ARRS funding while stabilising staffing levels.

Enhancing Patient Care

The introduction of ARRS-funded GPs is expected to have a significant ARRS GP impact on patient care, particularly by improving service accessibility and reducing strain on existing clinicians. As more GPs are integrated into PCN teams, patients can experience shorter wait times and more consistent access to care.

Key benefits include:

• GP workload reduction, allowing existing staff to focus on complex cases and continuity of care.
• Improving patient access with ARRS GPs, reducing delays in appointments and enhancing service efficiency.
• Influence on ARRS GP prescribing trends, particularly in mental health care, where structured GP support may lead to more targeted prescribing practices.

By addressing these areas, ARRS-funded GPs contribute to a stronger, more efficient primary care system that prioritises both patient experience and workforce sustainability.

Challenges and Limitations

While ARRS-funded GPs provide significant workforce benefits, there are several challenges of ARRS GPs that PCNs must navigate to ensure effective implementation. Some of the key limitations include:

• ARRS GP funding limitations, as current funding is only guaranteed for a fixed period, raising concerns about long-term workforce planning.
• ARRS workforce sustainability, requiring careful integration strategies to ensure GPs remain embedded within PCNs beyond the funding period.
• ARRS GP supervision issues, as PCNs must allocate time and resources to provide adequate training, mentorship, and governance.
• Operational barriers, including estates, funding allocation, and multidisciplinary team coordination, which impact the effectiveness of ARRS GP roles.

Future-Proof Your ARRS GP Workforce with Core Prescribing Solutions

As Primary Care Networks prepare for the future of ARRS GP funding, having a structured workforce strategy is crucial to maximising long-term impact. At Core Prescribing Solutions, we provide expert workforce planning, recruitment, and integration support to help PCNs effectively implement and sustain ARRS-funded GPs.

By partnering with us, PCNs can:

• Develop a long-term ARRS workforce strategy that ensures sustainability beyond March 2025.
• Effectively manage ARRS GP role beyond 2025 through structured retention and funding optimisation.
• Receive full compliance, supervision, and workforce planning support, reducing administrative burdens.

Secure the future of your ARRS GP workforce today. Get in touch with Core Prescribing Solutions to build a cost-effective, sustainable workforce model for primary care success.