Only 13 primary care networks (PCNs) have hired GPs using Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) funding, a Pulse survey has found.
Of 276 GPs who responded, 34% said their PCN planned to hire a GP through ARRS, 32% said they did not plan to, and 29% were undecided. The 13 GPs whose PCNs had already hired a GP represented just 5% of respondents.
One GP told Pulse that without ARRS the PCN would not have been able to afford to recruit the ARRS salaried GP.
Dr Simon Yule told Eliza Parr: “We would have recruited [the GP] anyway, but actually it’s just supported our recruitment opportunities. With the employers National Insurance, and the increase in the living wage, in hindsight we probably wouldn’t have been able to afford that recruitment.”
An anonymous GP said ARRS was not ideal unless the practice is already recruiting: “There are far more unemployed newly-qualified GPs than this scheme could ever support and it doesn’t give them the long term continuity that they need. And I think particularly in PCNs with more practices they’re spread thinly, which is really tricky when you’re newly-qualified.”
Seven in 10 GP locums have difficulty finding work, a survey by the NASGP revealed earlier this month. Last September, GPs were in uproar following the news that ARRS funding would not be available to any GP qualified for two years or more.
Dr Richard Fieldhouse, NASGP chair, said: “GP practices are complex, high-risk healthcare environments, with rapidly changing systems and processes. They are under-staffed, and the staff and clinicians themselves are overworked. Every practice has its own 500-or-so practice-specific policies, pathways, guidelines and procedures, with no single, simple way to access them.
“It’s tough enough for a regular, experienced GP to manage the complications associated with this sort of clinical environment, so I am extremely surprised that this role has been created specifically for newly-qualified GPs. Even an experienced GP partner would struggle in this scenario, although this is precisely this role that GP locums find themselves in daily.
“To support this role well, PCNs need more funding to recruit salaried GPs and GP locums, particularly in light of increases to the national insurance and living wage. Practices are working incredibly hard to survive on shrinking budgets and the government must do more to tide them over the coming winter period.”