ARRS in 2025/26: What Contract Changes Mean for Your Workforce
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? What PCNs should do differently this […]
Last-Minute Cover Won’t Save You, That’s Why Winter Planning Starts Now!
It might feel early, but preparation is everything. Every year, as winter pressures build, GP practices and PCNs find themselves scrambling to fill rota gaps. In March 2024, GP teams delivered almost 30 million appointments in a single month, which was a 23% increase compared to March 2019. By December 2024, practices and PCNs provided […]
The Numbers Don’t Lie: How Vela Helped One Practice Save £4.5K Without Compromise
One GP surgery approached us facing rising locum costs and unclear margins. Within three months, we helped them save £4,500. There was no reduction in hours, no loss in service quality, and no disruption to the day-to-day running of the practice. This is not just about cutting costs. It is about smarter, more transparent recruitment […]
Why Transparent Pricing Should Be Standard in Primary Care Staffing
When you are under pressure to fill shifts, getting cover in place quickly is often the priority. But without full clarity on what you are being charged or what is included, it can be difficult to understand the real value of your staffing setup. Pricing models in Primary Care vary. Some use session rates or […]
Is It Time to Re-Evaluate Your Agency Spend?
When was the last time you reviewed your agency costs? If it’s been over a year, there’s a strong chance you’re overpaying. Not because of any major mistake – but because staffing arrangements that feel familiar can quietly slip out of line with today’s market. At Vela, we speak to Primary Care services every week […]
Why Continuity Still Matters in the Locum World
In modern primary care, short-term staffing is a necessity. But while locum clinicians provide vital support, the importance of continuity has not gone away. In fact, it matters more than ever. From patient experience to practice performance, continuity of care remains central to safe, effective services. At Vela Medical Group, we do not just place […]
How Vela Helps Practices Make the Most of ARRS Funding
For GP practices and Primary Care Networks (PCNs), the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) offers a significant opportunity to grow multidisciplinary teams, ease pressure on GPs and improve access for patients. But while the funding is there, making the most of it can be challenging without the right support. At Vela Medical Group, we help […]
What Do GP Practices Really Look for in Locum Support?
When a GP practice brings in a locum, they are not just filling a gap – they are trusting someone to maintain patient safety, team efficiency and care continuity. In a primary care environment where time, resources and capacity are constantly stretched, the right locum makes a real difference. So, what do practices genuinely value […]
How to Choose the Right Primary Care Agency: What Sets Vela Apart
When GP practices or Primary Care Networks need staffing support, choosing the right recruitment agency can make all the difference to service quality, workforce continuity and patient care. Here is a guide to what to look for in a primary care partner and why Vela Medical Group stands out. 1. Specialist Focus on Primary Care […]
What If Recruitment Felt Less Like a Transaction and More Like a Partnership?
In primary care, staffing is not just about filling a shift. It is about protecting your patients, supporting your team and keeping your service running safely. So why does recruitment often feel rushed, impersonal and transactional? At Vela Medical Group, we believe it should feel different. When recruitment is based on trust, care and understanding, […]