• Donna Bramwell, Jonathan Hammond, Lynsey Warwick-Giles, Simon Bailey, and Kath Checkland.
• Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, Manchester.
• Br J Gen Pract. 2024 Apr 15.

BackgroundThe Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) provides funding to Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in England to recruit additional staff into specified roles. The intention was to support general practice by recruiting an extra 26 000 staff by 2024, increasing access and easing workload pressures.AimTo explore the establishment of the ARRS as part of PCNs' development to understand their role in supporting general practice.Design And SettingA longitudinal, qualitative case study involving seven geographically dispersed PCNs across England.MethodData were collected from July 2020 to March 2022, including 91 semi-structured interviews and 87 h of meeting observations. Transcripts were analysed using the framework approach.ResultsImplementation of the ARRS was variable across the study sites, but most shared similar experiences and concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the introduction of the new roles, and significant variability was found in modes of employment. Cross-cutting issues included: the need for additional space to accommodate new staff; the inflexibility of aspects of the scheme, including reinvestment of unspent funds; and the need for support and oversight of employed staff. Perceived benefits of the ARRS include improved patient care and the potential to save GP time.ConclusionThe findings suggest the ARRS has potential to fulfil its objective of supporting and improving access to general practice. However, attention to operational requirements including appropriate funding, estates, and management of staff is important if this is to be realised, as is clarity for the scheme post-contract end in 2024.© The Authors.

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