General Practice Services

At NCS, we understand the vital role General Practices play in delivering personalised and patient-centred care to individuals and families. Our dedicated clinical pharmacist services are designed to support General Practitioners (GPs) in optimising patient outcomes, reduce GP workload, and enhance the overall quality of connected clinical services.

GP speaking to patient

Accreditations and Partners

logo 1
logo 2
logo 3
logo 4

We offer bespoke dedicated pharmacy teams directly to GP practices

We can provide:

  • A fully managed remote clinical pharmacy service
  • Extensive experience and management
  • Advanced clinical support where required
  • Medicines optimisation and cost-effectiveness

How we will work with you

Access to expertise

Our clinical pharmacists bring a wealth of expertise and specialised knowledge to support GPs in addressing complex patient needs.

Streamlined medication management

Our clinical pharmacist solutions streamline medication management processes, enhancing efficiency within the GP practice.

Access to expertise

Our clinical pharmacists bring a wealth of expertise and specialised knowledge to support GPs in addressing complex patient needs.

Male GP
ti img
drugstore senior employee checking box of drugs ex 2023 11 27 04 54 38 utc

Don’t just take our word for it…

avatar2

Kerry Practice Manager

“As Practice Manager, I want to express my gratitude to Yasin Patel for his invaluable support in establishing our remote Minor Illnesses Clinic. His professional service has been instrumental in addressing staffing challenges and providing additional coverage when needed. The clinically proven approach has significantly alleviated pressures on our team. Thank you, Yasin!”

Kerry - Practice Manager

Frequently asked questions

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.

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.

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.

There are around 18 roles available, including:

  1. Clinical Pharmacist
  2. Pharmacy Technician
  3. Health and Well-being Coach
  4. Dietician
  5. Podiatrist
  6. Paramedic
  7. Adult Mental Health Practitioner
  8. Children and Young People’s Mental Health Practitioner
  9. Nursing Associate
  10. Trainee Nursing Associate
  11. Occupational Therapist
  12. First-contact Physiotherapist
  13. Care Co-ordinator
  14.  Physician Associate
  15.  Social Prescribing Link Worker
  16. General Practice Assistant
  17. Digital and Transformation Lead
  18. Advanced Practitioner

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.

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.

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

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.

 

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.

 

NCS

Get in Touch







    Choose a time that works best for you. Once you are done setting up a time, please check your email for your confirmation.

    NCS