Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) Funding Guide 2026/27 with The Medicines Management Team.
Looking to enhance patient care and alleviate the workload in your practice? The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) continues to revolutionise primary care in 2026/27, offering a groundbreaking approach to primary care through strategic ARRS funding and comprehensive GP ARRS support. The ARRS staff are pivotal in transforming primary care services by bringing diverse expertise and skills to Primary Care Networks (PCNs).
The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) transforms primary care by funding new roles like Clinical Pharmacists and social prescribing link workers. In this guide, we’ll discuss ARRS and how ARRS funding and ARRS support can enhance your practice. We’ll explore the diverse roles funded by ARRS 2026/27, and the specifics of the reimbursement process. The integration of ARRS staff is crucial for achieving these goals.
The ARRS roles list is updated on an ongoing basis, with the 2026/27 ARRS roles bringing additional opportunities for PCNs to grow and broaden their teams.
ARRS Maximum Reimbursable Amounts (2025/26 & 2026/27)
|
Role |
AfC Band |
2025/26 Max (National) |
2026/27 Estimate* |
|---|---|---|---|
|
General Practitioner (GP) |
Salaried |
£105,882 |
£110,148+ |
|
Clinical Pharmacist |
Band 7-8a |
£66,972 |
£68,646 |
|
First Contact Physio |
Band 7-8a |
£66,972 |
£68,646 |
|
Physician Associate |
Band 7 |
£66,972 |
£68,646 |
|
Practice Nurse |
Band 5-7 |
£45k–£66k |
£47k–£68k |
|
Pharmacy Technician |
Band 5 |
£43,352 |
£44,435 |
What is ARRS?
The Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme is a vital part of the NHS’s long-term plan to transform Primary care services in the UK. The scheme aims to help Primary Care Networks (PCNs) expand their teams with a wide range of ARRS roles, including primary care pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, and more, via targeted ARRS funding and ARRS support. The ARRS staff are essential in implementing these roles effectively.
This addresses the urgent need for a more diverse healthcare workforce. The ARRS role list includes professionals like clinical pharmacists and social prescribing link workers, greatly enhancing the capabilities of PCN ARRS staff and teams. For 2026/27, ARRS funding continues to support roles such as clinical pharmacists, social prescribing link workers, and health and well-being coaches, ensuring that PCNs can deliver innovative, patient-centered care.
How Much Is The ARRS Funding 2026/2027?
For the 2026/27 financial year, the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme has undergone its most significant shift since its inception. The previous £82m ring-fence for Experienced GPs has been removed. PCNs now have full flexibility to use the £1.7 billion ARRS pot to recruit experienced GPs and Practice Nurses without the 2-year CCT restriction. Additionally, a new £292m practice-level reimbursement scheme (repurposed from the former Capacity and Access Payment) allows individual practices to directly fund additional GP sessions to meet same-day urgent care requirements.
Full ARRS Support & Management for PCNs
The primary goal of the NHS ARRS is to relieve the increasing pressures and work strain from general practices and improve patient healthcare access. By expanding the clinical and non-clinical teams via ARRS roles maximum reimbursement, the scheme aims to achieve the following benchmarks:
- Meet the evergrowing healthcare demand by enhancing the capacity of primary care services with skilled ARRS staff.
- Improving patient outcomes and satisfaction by delivering a diverse range of healthcare services through dedicated ARRS staff.
- Support PCN integration with healthcare services to facilitate an innovative and more collaborative approach to patient care.
- Promote the shift towards more preventative healthcare and community-based care, reducing the reliance on hospital care.
How is the Funding Utilised?
ARRS Funding covers:
- Salaries for ARRS roles.
- Training and development programs.
- Resources and tools to support staff in their roles.
Key Milestones:
- Over 34,000 additional healthcare staff have been recruited since 2019.
- The scheme delivered 26,000 staff a year early, showcasing its success in addressing workforce shortages.
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What are the New ARRS Roles in Primary Care?
The ARRS roles listed in primary care are diverse, each contributing uniquely and broadening PCN’s service range. All these roles are reimbursed through ARRS funding, allowing PCNs to meet the patients’ complex health needs more effectively with the help of ARRS staff.
The following is the new ARRS role list through ARRS funding 2026/27:
Other ARRS roles in primary care include:
ARRS Funding Benefits and Use Cases
Improved Patient Access in Urban Areas
A PCN in Manchester utilised ARRS funding and ARRS support to hire additional Clinical Pharmacists and Health and Well-being Coaches. This expansion allowed them to offer more same-day appointments and personalised care plans, significantly reducing patient wait times and improving overall satisfaction.
Enhanced Preventative Care in Rural Communities
In a rural area of Cornwall, ARRS funding enabled the recruitment of Social Prescribing Link Workers and Dieticians. These roles focused on preventative care, helping to reduce hospital admissions through community-based health initiatives and nutritional counselling.
Increased Efficiency in Multi-disciplinary Teams
A London-based PCN integrated primary care pharmacists, First-contact Physiotherapists and Care Coordinators into their team. This strategic use of ARRS funding and ARRS support streamlined patient referrals and reduced GP workload, allowing doctors to focus on more complex cases.
The Role of ARRS staff in Primary Care
ARRS staff are integral to the success of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme 2026/27. They bring diverse skills and expertise to Primary Care Networks, enhancing service delivery and patient care. NHS ARRS staff are responsible for implementing innovative healthcare solutions, improving patient outcomes, and reducing the workload on general practitioners.
The presence of ARRS staff ensures that PCNs can offer a wider range of services, tailored to meet the specific needs of their communities.
How ARRS Support Enhances Primary Care
Training and Development in 2026/27
ARRS support ensures that all ARRS staff receive the necessary training to perform effectively.
Resource Allocation
ARRS support provides the tools and resources needed for ARRS staff to thrive in their positions.
Ongoing Support:
Offering continuous professional development opportunities and mentorship to ensure career growth and satisfaction for ARRS staff.
ARRS Funding for 2026/27
The GP ARRS funding and ARRS support scheme is transformative for PCNs, providing financial backing to clinical teams. The funding covers the costs associated with various healthcare roles under the scheme, thus relieving the workload on GPs and facilitating more efficient patient care delivery.
How will the funds be managed in 2026/27?
For the 2026/27 cycle, the management of ARRS funding has transitioned to a more integrated model. While Primary Care Networks (PCNs) remain responsible for the day-to-day deployment and supervision of staff, the funding is now directly allocated to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
This change means:
- Streamlined Claims: PCNs now work directly with their ICB to draw down from a single, flexible workforce pot rather than navigating rigid national “ring-fences.”
- New Practice-Level Autonomy: Alongside the main ARRS pot, a new £292m practice-level reimbursement scheme allows individual surgeries to claim approximately £47,000 for additional GP sessions, separate from the PCN-level budget.
- Compliance: All roles must still be recorded via the National Workforce Reporting Service (NWRS) to ensure 100% reimbursement of salaries and on-costs.
How much is the ARRS Funding for 2026/27?
The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) has successfully transformed the primary care workforce, having recruited over 37,000 additional healthcare staff since its launch in 2019 exceeding its original 26,000 target early.
For the 2026/27 financial year, total investment in the GP Contract 2026/27 has seen a £485 million uplift, bringing the total contract value to over £13.8 billion. Within this, the ARRS funding remains a cornerstone of the NHS strategy, with a total allocation of £1.7 billion. the 2026/27 contract now mandates same-day response for clinically urgent needs.
Same-Day Access: This is the primary driver for why PCNs need to use their ARRS funding right now.
Overcoming 2026 ARRS Implementation Hurdles
Integrating ARRS roles into PCNs presents unique challenges, from role clarity to effective team integration. The Medicines Management Team offers solutions involving clear job descriptions, role-specific training, and strategic use of ARRS funding to ensure each ARRS role is utilised to its full potential, contributing to the overarching goals of the PCN ARRS initiative.
Role Clarity and Expectation Management
Problem: Lack of role clarity and defined expectations for ARRS roles within PCNs can lead to underutilisation and frustration among team members.
Solution: The Medicines Management Team establishes clear job descriptions and service agreements. They offer remote services like remote prescribing to overcome space limitations in primary care estates.
Team Integration and Collaboration
Problem: Ensuring effective integration of ARRS roles into existing teams can lead to resistance or a lack of collaboration.
Solution: The Medicines Management Team facilitates sessions to foster a collaborative environment, emphasising the unique contributions of each role and promoting understanding of their value.
Ensuring Role Sustainability and Development
Problem: Ensuring long-term sustainability and career development of ARRS roles can be challenging.
Solution: The Medicines Management Team implements comprehensive development programmes, including continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities, mentorship programmes, and clear pathways for career advancement.
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