No re-allocation of unspent ARRS funding and a looming deadline
Over the past five years, Primary Care Networks (PCNs) have had the opportunity to access underspent ARRS (Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme) funding through a redistribution system.
This process allowed PCNs to “bid” for unused funds, allowing them to secure resources to enhance their teams.
However, things have changed this year. The NHS has made it clear:
there will be no redistribution of underspent ARRS funding this year.
So, if your PCN doesn’t spend it, you will lose it. Or, if you are close to your funding ceiling, you won’t be able to bid for additional unused funds.
Also, as reported by THC Primary Care in their recent guide to PCN DES Changes, Primary Care Networks will be required to submit their workforce planning templates for ARRS funding (including recruitment plans for 2024/25) to clinical directors by 31 October 2024 and NHS England by the end of November.
With no opportunity to bid for ARRS underspend and the clock certainly ticking down on decisions on how to use any ARRS funding, it’s more crucial than ever that you are planning ahead for the rest of this year and next year.
What are the main reasons for the ARRS underspend?
In our experience, ARRS underspend is rarely down to a Primary Care Network not needing or wanting additional specialist skills. Typically, there are three main blockers to PCNs using their ARRS funding in time.
Recruitment problems
Recruiting permanent staff takes time and is not without its associated costs, time sinks, and challenges. If you work in a rural PCN, a lack of available and experienced local talent will likely further compound these issues.
We repeatedly see this issue: PCNs want to bring in an ARRS pharmacist but struggle to find local IP Pharmacists with the required clinical experience. Even if you don’t work in a rural PCN, perm recruitment processes can be difficult, and fixing the risk of making the wrong hire can take more time and money.
Uncertainty
The past twelve months have seen a lot of uncertainty for PCNs to navigate — a short-term extension to ARRS, a new PCN DES, and a new government. More uncertainty is on the horizon as we likely enter a period of change under the new administration.
Without clarity on the future, many in Primary Care will do what everyone else in the UK does—stop spending. Investing long-term in perm staff is a risk without long-term funding commitments.
Time & resources
If the main reason you need additional resource is due to high workloads, finding the time for planning meetings, creating recruitment collateral, and carrying out interviews might not be top of the agenda.
All the above activities may involve pulling multiple staff members away from their day jobs. For example, if you want to bring in an ARRS pharmacist, you may need time with your lead pharmacists to plan, review applicants, and take part in interviews, which takes further time and resources away from a team already in need of more resources.
Why Choose Medacy?
We understand that many PCNs face challenges in recruiting for critical roles or retaining existing team members. These obstacles often lead to underspending despite the clear need for more hands on deck. That’s where Medacy can step in and help.
Fully-managed service
Medacy offers a fully managed pharmacist-led clinical service that can seamlessly integrate into your PCN. Our service not only helps you meet the requirements of the PCN DES (Directed Enhanced Service) but also frees up valuable time for GPs. By allowing GPs to focus on the work only they can do, you enhance overall efficiency within your practice.
All our ARRS pharmacists are directly employed by Medacy. So, unlike using a locum, we can directly oversee and direct the quality of their work. Our on-site and remote services also give you the flexibility to bring in resource now while mitigating uncertainty around future funding.
Experienced Pharmacist-backed clinical experts.
Our team consists of highly qualified clinical pharmacists, all of whom are Independent Prescribers, as well as pharmacy technicians who are experts in their fields.
This level of expertise ensures that your patients receive top-notch medication-related care while your GPs can focus on other critical aspects of healthcare delivery.
We operate a ‘virtual practice’ model, which means both our remote and on-site ARRS pharmacists can access best practices resources, regular training, and a peer network to ask questions and share knowledge. This helps our pharmacists thrive in practices where they may be the sole pharmacist.
You will also be assigned a Medacy Clinical Lead alongside your pharmacist. Your Clinical Lead will conduct regular check-ins with both you and the pharmacist / pharmacy technician. As well as ensuring you are receiving the quality delivery we expect, they will advise you on ways to maximise the value of your investment in an ARRS pharmacist and ensure they are used most effectively.
Don’t Let Funding Slip Away in a Challenging Year
There’s no denying that this year has been one of the toughest for PCNs. But don’t let the strain cause you to miss out on essential funding. The right investment can support both your PCN and your practice team, ensuring your patients get the best possible care.
Winter is just around the corner, bringing with it added pressures and a surge in patient needs. The changing weather means increased workload for your practice, and Medacy can be the partner you need to tackle these challenges head-on.
Don’t wait until it’s too late! Contact Medacy today at 01677 252201 for more information on how we can help your PCN make the most of your funding while delivering exceptional care to your patients during this critical time of year.
