Who is eligible for General Medical Practitioners (GMPs) or General Practitioners (GPs) under ARRS?
GPs were added to ARRS in 2024. There is no cap on the number of GPs that can be engaged under the scheme, although there are eligibility criteria.
- A GP under ARRS is limited to those within 2 years of their CCT (certificated of completion of training) at the time of recruitment
- They cannot have been previously substantively employed as a GP in general practice
Where a PCN employs or engages a General Medical Practitioner under the Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme, the PCN must ensure that the General Medical Practitioner is employed or engaged on terms and conditions which are no less favourable than those contained in the document entitled “Model terms and conditions of service for a salaried general practitioner employed by a GMS practice’’.
The reimbursable amount for GPs employed under the scheme was increased in the update PCN DES contract for 25/26.
Training and Supervision
Training
GPs must be on the performers list and be within 2 years of their CCT date.
Newly qualified GPs within 12 months of their CCT date are eligible for the local Spark scheme, which provides additional support for newly qualified GPs. For full details of the scheme, please see: The Spark Programme – Gloucestershire Primary Care Workforce Centre.
Supervision
As these are newly qualified GPs mentoring within the practice/PCN is encouraged, although not mandated. Mentoring is also available through the Spark scheme.
The GPC and BMA have issued the following guidance:
We continue to recommend that such GPs are deployed at a practice level, ideally situated within just one practice, rather than working across the whole PCN and are provided with the necessary level of professional and personal support. This is especially important as, given the current restrictions of the scheme, these GPs will be recently qualified. As such, mentorship and support delivered by experienced GPs embedded within one of the member practice will help with the ARRS GP’s development and prevent isolation. Practice have decades of experience of supporting and mentoring GP Registrars and newly qualified GPs, and this must not be lost.
Supporting information
Further NHSE guidance can be found in the document on the right of the page, titled ‘Newly qualified GPs- FAQs’ (please note that this guidance was issued in 24/25, so some of the information regarding reimbursement is now incorrect, although the eligibility criteria remains the same).
Further information and support for GPs can be found at Resources for General Practitioners – Gloucestershire Primary Care Workforce Centre.