How you can use the new ARRS GP funding to offer directly bookable online appointments
The landscape of primary care is continuing to evolve with recent changes to the ARRS scheme presenting an exciting opportunity for PCNs to offer enhanced access to GP appointments.
Newly qualified GPs can now be funded using the ARRS funding. With this funding available, practices can make PCN level GP appointments available to patients directly online, using online booking. This blog post covers why you should consider doing exactly this, and how you can use Hero's online booking to make slots bookable.
The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) is designed to enable PCNs to hire additional staff to meet growing patient demand and enhance service delivery - with resources shared across the PCN's constituent practices. Initially, the ARRS focused primarily on allied health professionals and medical associate professionals. However, recent updates have now opened the door for the employment of newly qualified GPs.
In response to the ongoing GP unemployment crisis, the UK government has allocated an additional £82 million to support the recruitment of recently qualified GPs via the ARRS. This funding is aimed at alleviating the pressure on practices and ensuring that newly qualified GPs have meaningful employment opportunities.
One of the key benefits of these changes is the ability for ARRS GPs to work across multiple practices within a PCN. This flexibility allows for better resource allocation and ensures that practices can meet patient demand more effectively. By centralizing GP appointments in a hub site, practices can optimize their workforce and deliver consistent care.
Online booking tools, such as Hero Health's appointment booking system, play a crucial role in improving patient access to GP services that are offered at a PCN or Federation hubsite level.
Regular GP appointments delivered by a practice directly can be booked online - albeit through the slightly painful experience offered by Patient Access, the NHS App or SystmOnline. Hero Health's direct patient booking makes online booking easy for patients, and allows both GP practices and hubsites to make appointments bookable via their website.
In addition to the clear benefits to patient experience, implementing an online booking tool like Hero for ARRS GPs can streamline your practice's administrative processes. By automating appointment scheduling through website based online booking, practices can reduce the burden on staff, minimize scheduling errors, and improve overall operational efficiency. This allows the practice to focus more on delivering high-quality patient care.
Selecting a robust online booking tool is essential for maximizing the benefits of ARRS GPs in your PCN. This is a blog written on Hero's website, so unsurprisingly we'd recommend using Hero - we believe our offering is best-in-class when it comes to NHS Online Booking. We have a deep integration into System One and EMIS, and we offer full NHS branding using the NHS toolkit for the patient experience.
Once you've chosen your online booking system (Hero, duh!), configure the types of appointments that ARRS GPs will offer. Consider standard consultations, follow-ups, and specific health checks, ensuring that patients can easily find the right service when booking online. If helpful, in Hero you can restrict access to slots based on patient registration, age and gender, and you also also embed intake forms to capture specific information from patients as part of the booking.
Effective communication is key to encouraging patients to utilize online booking. Promote the fact that your hubsite appointments are now available online with Hero, through your practice website, social media channels, and in-clinic signage. Ensure that patients are aware of the convenience and accessibility of booking appointments with ARRS GPs online.
After implementing the online booking system, regularly monitor its usage and gather feedback from both patients and ARRS GPs. Use this feedback to make necessary adjustments to improve the booking experience, address any concerns, and ensure that the system is functioning effectively.
The ARRS is a funding initiative that allows Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to employ additional healthcare professionals to enhance patient care and meet rising demand. Recent changes now enable the employment of newly qualified GPs under this scheme.
ARRS GPs can work across multiple practices within a PCN. This flexibility allows them to provide care at a central hub site, enabling better resource management and improved patient access to GP services.
The UK government has allocated an additional £82 million to support the recruitment of newly qualified GPs through the ARRS. This funding aims to help alleviate the current GP unemployment crisis and enhance the workforce within primary care.
Implementing an online booking system, such as Hero Health, enhances patient access to GP services, streamlines administrative processes, and reduces scheduling errors. It also allows patients to conveniently book appointments at their preferred times, improving overall satisfaction.
When selecting an online booking tool, consider factors such as ease of use, integration with existing practice management systems, customization options, and patient feedback. Tools like Hero Health are designed to enhance patient experience and support practice efficiency.
You should configure a variety of appointment types for online booking, including standard consultations, follow-ups, and specific health checks. This ensures that patients can easily find and schedule the services they need. As well as the ARRS GP appointments, you could make available Nurse Appointments, Social Prescriber Appointments, PA Appointments, First Contact Physio appointments.
Promote the online booking system through various channels, including your practice website, social media platforms, and in-clinic signage. Highlight the convenience and ease of scheduling appointments online to encourage patient adoption.
Regularly monitor the system's performance and gather feedback from both patients and ARRS GPs. If issues arise, work with your online booking tool's support team to resolve them promptly and make necessary adjustments based on user feedback.
Yes, ARRS GPs are entitled to equitable terms and conditions, including remuneration that reflects their qualifications and experience. It's essential that these roles provide fair pay and benefits compared to other employed GPs within the NHS.
Employing ARRS GPs can help address immediate patient access issues and support the sustainability of your primary care network. However, it's essential to ensure that these roles are integrated effectively and that ongoing recruitment and retention strategies are developed to maintain a stable workforce.
The recent changes to the ARRS funding framework present a unique opportunity for PCNs and practices to enhance patient access to care through the employment of newly qualified GPs. By implementing online booking systems like Hero Health’s appointment booking, practices can streamline operations, improve patient satisfaction, and ultimately deliver better healthcare outcomes.
As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, embracing these changes will be essential for maintaining a sustainable and efficient primary care system. By adapting to new funding opportunities and leveraging technology, your PCN can lead the way in transforming patient care in the NHS.
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