Navigating the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme Uplift Uncertainty - Advice for Primary Care Network Leaders

Updated: 5 days ago

At THC Primary Care, we create resources and share lessons learned to support primary care network leaders.

🎯The focus of this blog will be the lack of clarity regarding the primary care network roles reimbursement scheme 24/25 and will provide four suggestions to help you navigate this.

DISCLAIMER:

This blog is NOT for you if your network has already comfortably provided salary increases in your network or you already have a plan you are happy with.

Let's jump in!

Blog Graphic — Navigating the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme Uplift Uncertainty

The Issue

On 2nd August 2024 NHSE stated that there is a;

Pay award of 5.5% for Agenda for Change staff on NHS terms and conditions.
6% pay uplift for doctors and dentists, salaried GPs and salaried practice staff backdated to 1 April 2024.

However, primary care network leaders have not received confirmation of whether the ARRS reimbursement scheme will be uplifted to accommodate the Agenda for Change pay increases, resulting in uncertainty, miscommunication and tension between general practice-funded staff and PCN-funded staff.

So... what should primary care networks do?

I strongly believe that it will only be a matter of time before primary care networks receive more information relating to the ARRS scheme.

More information is set to be released in October regarding the addition of newly qualified GPs to the ARRS; I’m sure by then, if not before, we will get the ARRS update, which will likely include an increase and can hopefully be backdated.

But in the meantime, it’s important to know that on 2 June 2023, the PCN DES additional role reimbursement rates were increased and came into play on 1 July 2023 (see pages 60 to 73).

1️⃣ If your network did not provide a staff pay increase immediately on 1 July 2023, your pay policy might offer some flexibility to relieve the pressure of giving a raise right away, as it's not common to receive multiple pay raises within a year.

🎯 Check when you last gave your staff a pay increase and start calculating what this could look like within your current allocation.

2️⃣ If your staff have worked for 12 months or more without a pay increase, now is the time to review your current ARRS allocation.

🎯 Create an options appraisal of a minimum and fair increase, which would be financially sustainable for the network. This could be a 2%, 3% or 3.5% increase for example.

You will also need to consider if any staff need an above-the-baseline increase due to:

➡️ Increases in responsibilities

➡️ Staff being below the average salary rate in comparison to colleagues in the network n

➡️ Staff that have completed a certification

Whatever you decide, make sure it is fair and transparent.

If networks do receive an uplift that matches the GMS contract, you can choose to match this and top up your salary later in the year.

3️⃣ If your PCN staff are paid at the top or over the reimbursable rate, it will be no surprise that you will have to look to practice funds or other PCN funding sources to provide an increase.

🎯 This should be included in your options appraisal.

4️⃣ Communicate with your team

🎯 Send a communication to all PCN staff, including your practice managers and board members, explaining that:

Nationally, primary care networks are currently facing a challenging financial landscape that requires careful consideration.

It’s important to note that the funding for primary care networks is separate from the funding provided for general practice employees under the GMS contract, and this distinction impacts our financial decisions. A decision will be made by ( insert date).

Final Thoughts

If you can, start your options appraisal now, but wait until the Autumn PCN update from NHSE before making any final decisions.

If you have to act now, I hope some of the suggestions above are helpful.

Also, you may find our How to Approach Primary Care Network pay rises in 2024 and beyond useful as well.

About the Author

I'm Tara; I am the founder of THC Primary Care, an award-winning healthcare consultancy specialising in Primary Care Network Management and the host of the Business of Healthcare Podcast.

I have over 20 years of project management and business development experience across the private and public sectors, and I have supported over 120 PCNs by providing interim management, training and consultancy.

I have managed teams across multiple sites and countries; I have an MBA in Leadership and Management in Healthcare, I'm published in the London Journal of Primary Care, and I am the author of over 250 blogs.

I have 3 children. My eldest has Asthma, my middle child has a kidney condition called Nephrotic Syndrome, and my youngest daughter has Type 1 Diabetes, so outside of work, healthcare plays a huge role in my life.

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