Integrated Care Systems

Integrated care systems (ICSs) are partnerships that bring together NHS organisations, local authorities and others to take collective responsibility for planning services, improving health and reducing inequalities across specific geographical areas. Our clinical pharmacist services are designed to support these partnerships between the ICSs in their mission to improve population health and enhance patient outcomes. Our innovative, remote clinical pharmacy services are designed to focus on these priorities.

Accreditations and Partners

Our services are designed to meet the unique needs and outcomes for each ICS

We provide:

Collaboartive medicine management
Care Pathway integration
Medicines optiomised for population health
Patient-centred chroinic disease management

What we focus on...

Population health

One of our major goals at NCS is to help improve national population health goals – out team of clinical pharmacist support many ICSs teams to set realistic goals for population health improvement, reducing health disparities, and promoting health equity across diverse communities.

Collaborative partnerships

We believe in developing collaborative partnerships with ICSs and healthcare providers, working together towards shared goals and to meet the ICS’s strategic objectives.

Improved patient outcomes

Our patient-centric approach enhances patient engagement, promotes adherence to treatment plans, and ultimately improves health outcomes for the entire population served by the ICS.

Seamless care transitions

By integrating clinical pharmacy services into care pathways, we work to create smooth care transitions for patients, reducing duplication of services and better the patient experience.

Enhanced efficiency

NCS’s clinical pharmacy solutions help streamline every medication management processes, leading to increased efficiency and resource utilisation within the ICS.

Don’t just take our word for it…

Dr. Irfan Chaudhary PCN Pendle West

“PCN Pendle West thanks National Clinical Services for their outstanding support in achieving our SMR targets. Their personalised and clinically active approach significantly enhanced our patient care. We would most certainly use them again.”

Dr. Irfan Chaudhary - PCN Pendle West

Frequently asked questions

How much ARRS funding can a PCN benefit from?

A PCN is allocated a sum for an entire year based on its weighted population share of the total ARRS funding.

Although PCNs are able to claim up to this maximum sum each year, an underspend has commonly been reported.

From 1 October 2024, PCNs will be able to claim up to £65,838 (annual equivalent) per ARRS clinical pharmacist working at band 7-8a.

In outer London, this rises to £73,189, and £76,313 in inner London.

How much is the ARRS funding?

Funding for the new ARRS GP roles has been calculated at £1.303 multiplied by the PCN’s weighted population as of the start of 2024.

According to NHS England, the overall value of the ARRS in 2023/24 is in excess of £1billion.

The role of ARRS in primary care

According to NHS England, The ARRS scheme was introduced as a key part of the government’s manifesto commitment to improve access to general practice.

Through the scheme, primary care networks (PCNs) can claim reimbursement for the salaries (and some on costs) of 18 new roles within the multidisciplinary team selected to meet the needs of the local population.

By expanding general practice capacity, the scheme improves patient access, supports the delivery of new services, and widens the range of primary care services available.

How many ARRS roles are available?

There are around 18 roles available, including:

Clinical Pharmacist
Pharmacy Technician
Health and Well-being Coach
Dietician
Podiatrist
Paramedic
Adult Mental Health Practitioner
Children and Young People’s Mental Health Practitioner
Nursing Associate
Trainee Nursing Associate
Occupational Therapist
First-contact Physiotherapist
Care Co-ordinator
Physician Associate
Social Prescribing Link Worker
General Practice Assistant
Digital and Transformation Lead
Advanced Practitioner

What does the ARRS stand for in the NCS?

ARRS stands for The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme.

In August 2024, the government announced that £82 million of additional funding from the Department of Health and Social care budget would be used to enable changes to the ARRS scheme, which means that in 2024/25 it can be used to recruit newly qualified GPs into the NHS and practices will be reimbursed for their salary costs. However, this changes the nature of the scheme as it had been focused on ‘additional roles’ that broaden the skill mix and range of services available to patients in general practice rather than funding core GP roles.

Who are National Clinical Services and how can we help assist PCN’s with ARRS?

National Clinical Services (NCS) is an independent organisation that offers a range of services to support PCNs in utilising ARRS funding efficiently and effectively.

These services include managed clinical pharmacy services. Our experts and clinicians ensure that PCNs can seamlessly integrate additional roles, maximising the ARRS’s benefits and utilising funding to support recruitment across reimbursable roles.

How does the application process for ARRS funding work?

The application process involves PCNs identifying their needs and proposing how they intend to use the ARRS roles to enhance their services.

This proposal then needs to be submitted to their local Integrated Care Board (ICB) for approval. Find your local ICB here in the NHS England website

Who is eligible for ARRS funding?

Primary Care Networks (PCNs) within the NHS are eligible for ARRS funding.

Each PCN can apply for reimbursement for specific roles that align with their needs and meet the criteria set by NHS England.

What is a PCN?

PCN stands for Primary Care Network.

A Primary Care Network (PCN) is a group of GP practices that collaborate closely with other health and social care staff and organisations to deliver integrated services to their local community.

This model enhances the ability to provide comprehensive, coordinated care tailored to the specific needs of the population they serve.

Across England, there are around 1,250 PCNs covering populations of, on average, 50,000 people – although this varies significantly, with more than a third of PCNs covering more than 50,000 people. In some cases, a single practice that has met the size requirements of a network can also function as a network.

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