ARRS Underspend 2024/25: How PCNs Can Recover Lost Funding

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ARRS underspend refers to unused Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme funding that PCNs can potentially recover through strategic planning in 2024/25.

What does ARRS Underspend 2024/25 mean and how can PCNs recover lost funding?

What is ?

The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) underspend refers to allocated funding that Primary Care Networks (PCNs) failed to utilise within the financial year. For 2024/25, NHS England has implemented mechanisms allowing PCNs to recover portions of this lost funding through proper planning, recruitment strategies, and compliance with updated guidelines. This recovery process is crucial for PCNs looking to maximise their workforce capacity and service delivery potential in the evolving primary care landscape.

ARRS Underspend 2024/25: How PCNs Can Recover Lost Funding Best Practices

What is ?

  • Conduct early workforce planning aligned with PCN priorities and population health needs
  • Establish recruitment partnerships with local NHS Trusts and educational institutions
  • Implement rolling recruitment for difficult-to-fill roles rather than fixed recruitment cycles
  • Document all ARRS spending attempts, even unsuccessful ones, to demonstrate active engagement
  • Maintain regular communication with ICB workforce leads about recruitment challenges and solutions

Use ARRS Underspend 2024/25: How PCNs Can Recover Lost Funding in a Sentence

What is ?

  1. Our PCN successfully recovered 60% of previous ARRS underspend by implementing strategic workforce planning for 2024/25.
  2. The ICB is offering support workshops to help practices navigate the ARRS underspend recovery process for the 2024/25 financial year.
  3. Collaborative recruitment efforts across neighbouring PCNs have proven effective in minimising ARRS underspend and maximising role fulfilment.
Frequently Asked Questions about
ARRS Underspend 2024/25: How PCNs Can Recover Lost Funding

What does ARRS Underspend 2024/25: How PCNs Can Recover Lost Funding mean?

ARRS Underspend 2024/25 refers to Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme funding that Primary Care Networks (PCNs) failed to utilise during the financial year. The recovery process involves strategic planning and actions PCNs can take to reclaim portions of this unspent allocation through demonstrating recruitment efforts, workforce planning, and engagement with Integrated Care Boards. This is particularly important in 2024/25 as NHS England has implemented new mechanisms to help PCNs maximise their workforce funding.

What causes ARRS underspend in Primary Care Networks?

ARRS underspend typically occurs due to several factors, including recruitment difficulties in competitive healthcare markets, insufficient workforce planning, administrative delays in processing reimbursement claims, lack of physical space to accommodate additional staff, and challenges in creating sustainable job roles that attract qualified candidates. Many PCNs also face issues with role retention, professional development limitations, and uncertainties about long-term funding that contribute to underspending their allocated ARRS budgets.

How can PCNs demonstrate efforts to utilise ARRS funding for 2024/25 recovery?

PCNs can demonstrate efforts by maintaining comprehensive documentation of all recruitment activities, including unsuccessful attempts. This should include job advertisements, interview schedules, and correspondence with recruitment agencies. Additionally, PCNs should develop and document detailed workforce plans aligned with population health needs, engage regularly with their ICB workforce leads, participate in regional recruitment initiatives, and consider innovative employment models such as rotational posts with secondary care. Evidence of addressing structural barriers to recruitment, such as workspace planning, can also strengthen recovery claims.

What new mechanisms has NHS England introduced for ARRS underspend recovery in 2024/25?

For 2024/25, NHS England has introduced several new mechanisms including quarterly rather than annual reviews of underspend, allowing mid-year adjustments to allocations; simplified reimbursement processes with standardised claim forms; greater flexibility in role definitions to suit local needs; enhanced support through regional recruitment hubs; options for role-sharing arrangements between PCNs; and conditional pre-approval of certain recruitment plans to provide PCNs with greater certainty. These mechanisms aim to streamline the recovery process and maximise the utilisation of available funding.

What alternative workforce solutions can PCNs explore to reduce ARRS underspend?

PCNs can explore several alternative workforce solutions including joint appointments with local NHS Trusts or community providers; trainee pathways with educational stipends; international recruitment programmes with appropriate support; digital roles that can work remotely across multiple PCNs; rotational models where staff work across different healthcare settings; apprenticeship schemes for developing new talent; and bank or flexible working arrangements. These innovative approaches can help PCNs utilise their ARRS allocation effectively while addressing recruitment challenges in traditional employment models.

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