Government Expands ARRS Funding to Include GPNs
The British Medical Association (BMA) has accepted government proposals to include General Practice Nurses (GPNs) in the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS).
This decision follows two months of negotiations between the BMA GP Committee England (GPCE) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) regarding the 2025/26 GP contract. The change aims to reduce administrative barriers, increase funding for GPN recruitment, and strengthen primary care workforce retention.
What Does This Mean for General Practice Nurses?
The ARRS, first introduced in 2019, allows Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to claim reimbursement for the salaries of specific roles, such as Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Physician Associates, and Nursing Associates. Until now, GPNs had been excluded, despite repeated calls from primary care leaders to include them.
Under the new agreement:
✅ GPNs can be recruited through ARRS, provided they have not worked for any practice within the same PCN in the past 12 months.
✅ GPs have also been permanently added to the scheme, following a temporary inclusion last year.
✅ The Government has pledged an additional £889m for the GP contract, alongside a £433m investment made last autumn.
✅ The total contract funding increase of 7.2% will support various reforms to GP services.
Concerns Over Restrictions and Pay Disparities
While the inclusion of GPNs in ARRS has been welcomed, concerns remain regarding employment conditions and pay parity.
Dr Crystal Oldman, Chief Executive of the Queen’s Nursing Institute, welcomed the expansion but criticised the 12-month restriction preventing GPNs from being recruited by their current PCN. She stated:
“This restriction does not apply to other clinicians under ARRS, and it is not clear why nurses are being treated differently.”
Similarly, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) raised concerns that:
✔ The GP contract changes were made without input from nursing bodies.
✔ The Government has not addressed long-term inequities in GPN pay and working conditions.
✔ Three in ten GPNs in England received no pay rise last year, despite a 6% uplift being promised.
Patricia Marquis, Executive Director of RCN England, called for a funding model overhaul, stating:
“An understaffed workforce is already struggling to recruit and retain professionals to deliver high-quality care. The Government must change the funding model for general practice and ringfence money for staff.”
Upcoming GP Contract Reforms
The Government has also outlined key reforms as part of the 2025/26 GP contract, including:
- Bringing back the ‘Family Doctor’ model, to allow more continuity of care.
- Reducing outdated performance targets, enabling GPs to spend more time with patients.
- Mandating online appointment booking across GP surgeries from October 2025, to reduce phone line congestion.
The BMA GP Committee has conditionally accepted the contract, stating that the Government must commit in writing to negotiating a completely new national contract within this parliamentary term.
Government Response
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, defended the reforms, stating:
“This Government is cutting the red tape that ties up GPs’ time and backing them with an extra £889m next year. More patients will be able to book appointments online and see their regular doctor when needed.”
The Government insists that the Prime Minister’s ‘Plan for Change’ will rebuild primary care services, improve patient access, and create a sustainable NHS for the future.
What Happens Next?
- NHS England will release full contract details, including eligibility for ARRS reimbursement.
- GPCE expects formal confirmation of contract renegotiations by mid-March 2025.
- RCN and other nursing bodies continue to push for fair pay structures for GPNs.
Conclusion
The inclusion of General Practice Nurses (GPNs) in ARRS marks a positive step for primary care. However, concerns remain about workforce retention, recruitment barriers, and pay equity.
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