Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS)
Enhance your ARRS funding efficiency with
The Medicines Management Team.
What is ARRS?
The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) transforms primary care by funding new roles like clinical pharmacists and social prescribing link workers. In this guide, we'll discuss what ARRS is and how it can enhance your practice. We'll explore the diverse roles funded by ARRS, and the specifics of the reimbursement process.
The Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme is a vital part of the NHS's long-term plan to transform Primary care services in the UK. The scheme aims to help Primary Care Networks (PCNs) expand their teams with a wide range of ARRS role list via targeted ARRS funding.
This addresses the urgent need for a more diverse healthcare workforce. The ARRS role list includes professionals like clinical pharmacists and social prescribing link workers, greatly enhancing the capabilities of PCN ARRS teams. Looking ahead, ARRS funding for 2024/25 will continue supporting and growing these essential primary care roles.
Primary Goals of ARRS?
The primary goal of the ARRS is to relieve the increasing pressures and work strain from general practices and improve patient healthcare access. By expanding the clinical and non-clinical teams via ARRS roles maximum reimbursement, the scheme aims to achieve the following benchmarks:
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Meet the evergrowing healthcare demand by enhancing the capacity of primary care services.
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Improving patient outcomes and satisfaction by delivering a diverse range of healthcare services.
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Support PCN integration with healthcare services to facilitate an innovative and more collaborative approach to patient care.
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Promote the shift towards more preventative healthcare and community-based care, reducing the reliance on hospital care.
What are the New ARRS Roles in Primary Care?
The ARRS roles listed in primary care are diverse, each contributing uniquely and broadening PCN's service range. All these roles are reimbursed through ARRS funding, allowing PCNs to meet the patients' complex health needs more effectively.
The following is the new ARRS role list through
ARRS funding 2024/25:
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Clinical Pharmacist
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Pharmacy Technicians
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Health and Well-being Coaches
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Dieticians
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Nursing Associates
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Podiatrists
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Occupational Therapists
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Paramedics
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Adult Mental Health Practitioners
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Care Coordinators
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First-contact Physiotherapists
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Physician Associates
ARRS Funding Benefits and Use Cases
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Improved Patient Access in Urban Areas:
A PCN in Manchester utilised ARRS funding to hire additional Clinical Pharmacists and Health and Well-being Coaches. This expansion allowed them to offer more same-day appointments and personalised care plans, significantly reducing patient wait times and improving overall satisfaction.
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Enhanced Preventative Care in Rural Communities:
​In a rural area of Cornwall, ARRS funding enabled the recruitment of Social Prescribing Link Workers and Dieticians. These roles focused on preventative care, helping to reduce hospital admissions through community-based health initiatives and nutritional counselling.
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Increased Efficiency in Multi-disciplinary Teams:
A London-based PCN integrated First-contact Physiotherapists and Care Coordinators into their team. This strategic use of ARRS funding streamlined patient referrals and reduced GP workload, allowing doctors to focus on more complex cases.
ARRS Funding for 2024/25
The ARRS funding scheme is transformative for PCNs, providing financial backing to clinical teams. The funding covers the costs associated with various healthcare roles under the scheme, thus relieving the workload on GPs and facilitating more efficient patient care delivery.
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ARRS Funding Allocation​
The funding will be allocated to PCNs depending on their specific needs and the population they serve. This approach ensures that the resources are directed exactly where they are most needed, allowing PCNs across the UK to benefit from additional healthcare.
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How will the funds be Utilised?​
The Primary Care Networks are responsible for utilising and managing ARRS funding 2024/25. This includes covering salaries and training budgets and ensuring these ARRS roles deliver value in patient care.
The PCNs must work within the NHS England and Improvement framework, which outlines the eligible roles and the ARRS role's maximum reimbursement suitability.
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How much is the ARRS Funding for 2024/25?
In 2023/24, the ARRS delivered 26000 additional staff over a year early. The scheme has strengthened the recruitment process, and as of December 31, 2023, 34000 additional healthcare staff have already been recruited since 2019.
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The ARRS funding for 2024/25 has been agreed to allot a total of £1,441 million. The NHS, England will hold this funding, which will not be added to the revised funds of the local primary care allocations.
Impact of Primary Care Pharmacists and Clinical Pharmacists
Primary Care Pharmacists and clinical pharmacists are integral to the success of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). Through ARRS funding, these professionals enhance medication management and patient education within Primary Care Networks (PCNs). Clinical pharmacists collaborate with healthcare teams to optimise therapeutic outcomes, reduce GP workload, and improve chronic disease management.
By employing Primary Care Pharmacists, PCNs can deliver more efficient and effective healthcare services, ultimately benefiting patient care and satisfaction.
Challenges and Solutions in Integrating ARRS Roles
Integrating ARRS roles into PCNs presents unique challenges, from role clarity to effective team integration. The Medicines Management Team offers solutions involving clear job descriptions, role-specific training, and strategic use of ARRS funding to ensure each ARRS role is utilised to its full potential, contributing to the overarching goals of the PCN ARRS initiative.
Challenge 1
Role Clarity and Expectation Management
Challenge 2
Team Integration and Collaboration
Challenge 3
Ensuring Role Sustainability and Development
Problem: Lack of role clarity and defined expectations for ARRS roles within PCNs can lead to underutilisation and frustration among team members.
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Solution: The Medicines Management Team establishes clear job descriptions and service agreements. They offer remote services like remote prescribing to overcome space limitations in primary care estates.
Problem: Ensuring effective integration of ARRS roles into existing teams can lead to resistance or a lack of collaboration.
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Solution: The Medicines Management Team facilitates sessions to foster a collaborative environment, emphasising the unique contributions of each role and promoting understanding of their value.
Problem: Ensuring long-term sustainability and career development of ARRS roles can be challenging.
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Solution: The Medicines Management Team implements comprehensive development programmes, including continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities, mentorship programmes, and clear pathways for career advancement.
GP Partners' Thoughts on Our Clinical Services
Dr. Kirby
Clinical Director
“TMMT have been responsive to the needs of my organisation. It is very professional and with a strong, responsive clinical leadership. The patients receive good quality reviews, and this is evidenced and supported by a robust audit process."
Malvi
Clinical Director
"The impact of the medicines management team’s advanced clinical pharmacist service has been excellent. The service has enabled our patients to received good quality care, the pharmacists were able to effectively triage our patients appropriately by TMMT clinical pharmacists."
Julie Spence
Operation Manager​
Medicine Management Team provide an excellent service handling our complex clinical prescribing queries/medication updates from electronic discharges as well as medication reviews. This has resulted in freeing up valuable GP and Nurse Practitioner's time
Transform Your Primary Care Services Today
Are you ready to optimise your ARRS funding and enhance your primary care services? Contact The Medicines Management Team today to learn how we can support your PCN in effectively integrating ARRS roles and maximising the benefits of this transformative scheme.
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What does ARRS stand for in NHS?ARRS stands for Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. It's an initiative under the NHS Long Term Plan that funds new healthcare roles to expand and diversify the primary care workforce.
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What is ARRS in mental health?ARRS in mental health includes roles like Adult Mental Health Practitioners and Children's and Young People's Mental Health Practitioners. These professionals provide vital support, bridge gaps between primary and secondary care, and enhance access to mental health services.
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Who funds ARRS roles?The NHS funds ARRS roles. The funding is allocated to Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to cover the costs of employing these additional roles, ensuring a diversified and effective healthcare team.
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How much is ARRS funding?ARRS budget varies each year to meet the needs of primary care services. For example, the funding for 2024/25 is specifically allocated to support and expand the range of roles within the scheme. According to NHS, the total ARRS funding beyond 2024 exceeds £1441 million.
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How does ARRS contribute to the NHS's broader goals?By funding diverse roles and promoting preventative care, ARRS aligns with the NHS's goals to create a more sustainable, proactive, and community-focused healthcare system. This approach not only improves patient satisfaction but also reduces reliance on hospital services.
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What is the process for applying for ARRS funding?PCNs must identify their needs and propose how they intend to use ARRS roles to enhance their services. This proposal is submitted to their local Integrated Care Board for approval, ensuring alignment with NHS guidelines and strategic objectives.
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How can The Medicines Management Team assist PCNs with ARRS?The Medicines Management Team offers a range of services to help PCNs maximise the benefits of ARRS funding. This includes managed clinical pharmacy services, strategic planning for role integration, and ongoing support to ensure sustainable development and effective team collaboration.
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How is ARRS funding allocated to PCNs?ARRS funding is allocated per capita, reflecting the size and needs of the populations served by each PCN. This ensures equitable distribution of resources, allowing PCNs across the UK to benefit from additional healthcare support.
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How does ARRS benefit Primary Care Networks (PCNs)?ARRS provides PCNs with dedicated funding to recruit a variety of healthcare professionals, thereby enhancing their service offerings without impacting their existing budgets. This allows PCNs to manage patient demand more effectively and improve care delivery.
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What role do clinical pharmacists play in ARRS?Clinical pharmacists are integral to ARRS, providing expertise in medication management and chronic disease care. They work within PCNs to optimise therapeutic outcomes and improve patient safety, supported by ARRS funding.
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How do primary care pharmacists enhance healthcare delivery?Primary care pharmacists enhance healthcare delivery by offering medication reviews, patient education, and support for chronic disease management. Their role, funded by ARRS, helps reduce GP workload and improve patient outcomes.
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