GPs have finally been added to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), with a top-up of £82m added to the fund, according to gov.uk.
But GPs and practice managers have warned that ARRS funding at most PCNs has already been spent, and puts existing roles at risk of redundancy if it is to be spent on GPs.
GPs have also warned that unless ARRS funding is extended, salaried GPs will be forced to take contracts of a year or less due to the short-term nature of the scheme.
Others pointed out that GPs have for a long time, called for ARRS to be delivered at practice, rather than PCN, level to optimise its impact.
Last year, the NASGP called for ARRS funding to be offered to GP roles. In December 2023, a GP began a petition on the issue that was backed by the BMA in January of this year.
Dr Richard Fieldhouse, NASGP chair, said: “This is the news many of us have been waiting for, but it’s important to acknowledge the significant impact this delay has already had on the careers of many GPs and the considerable disruption it has caused to PCNs and practices.
“And this significant change in policy, no doubt the effect of bringing in a more progressive, public-sector facing government, will be too late for many of our colleagues who have already moved abroad to work.
“For GP locums, since decision-making for booking locum sessions may be shifting much more to PCNs, we recommend wherever possible to add or link to PCNs through locumDeck, where many are already using it to book locums direct for their constituent practices.”
