The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) has been central to workforce planning in primary care since 2019. For 2025/26, the new GP contract introduces greater flexibility in how PCNs can use this funding. This makes it essential to review your approach and plan ahead.
What has changed in 2025/26?
- A more flexible fund: PCNs can now pool and reallocate ARRS funding more easily across different roles. This gives practices more freedom to shape their workforce around local needs.
- Focus on retention: NHS England has highlighted that ARRS roles should support core teams as well as expand them. PCNs are encouraged to use ARRS to reduce pressure on GPs and practice nurses.
- Preventing underspend: In 2023/24, PCNs left £88 million of ARRS funding unspent. In 2024/25, between £20 million and £83 million was still unused nationally. The new contract aims to stop this from happening again, but it will only work if PCNs act early.
What PCNs should do differently this year
- Audit budgets early – Review what has already been spent and what remains. Do not wait until the final quarter.
- Prioritise high-impact roles – Mental Health Practitioners, Care Coordinators and Clinical Pharmacists continue to deliver the greatest value.
- Balance ARRS and locum support – Funded roles bring long-term stability, while locums provide the flexibility needed during peak periods. Both are essential for winter resilience.
- Recruit in advance – Leaving roles unfilled risks losing access to the funding altogether.
How Our Specialist Consultants at Vela Medical Group can help
We support practices and PCNs to make the best use of ARRS funding. Our consultants have more than ten years of experience in primary care staffing and can advise on the best mix of ARRS roles, locum cover and permanent recruitment.
If you want to maximise your ARRS funding in 2025/26 and strengthen your team, speak with Vela today.
