PCN funding increased to cover pay rise for ARRS pharmacists

Funding has been given to primary care networks (PCNs) to cover a pay uplift for Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) staff, which includes pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Meanwhile, GP practices have also been asked to use additional funding from the government to cover pay rises for employed practice staff.

The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed to our sister title Pulse PCN that PCN funding has been increased to cover the ARRS rise which was first announced by the government earlier this year.

In May, it was announced that ARRS pharmacists and other staff would be entitled to a 3.6% pay rise in line with the Agenda for Change uplift for 2025/26, backdated to April.

Related Article: Turning plastic waste into sustainable paracetamol

Meanwhile, ARRS GPs would be entitled to a 4% pay rise in line with the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB).

The government had initially only confirmed that the maximum reimbursable rates for ARRS staff would increase, with uncertainty over whether funding itself would be uplifted to cover this increase.

In previous years, PCNs have had to fund any pay uplifts from their existing budgets, with the government saying the overall funding would not be increased to account for the pay uplifts in both in 2024/25 and 2023/24.

However, the DHSC confirmed to Pulse PCN they are funding the increase for both non-GP ARRS staff and GP ARRS staff this year from April 2025.

Separately, GP practices will receive an uplift to the pay element of the GP contract to allow a 4% pay rise for all salaried practice staff, including pharmacists, for 2025/26, in line with the DDRB recommendation.

A spokesperson said: ‘NHS staff are receiving above inflation pay awards for the second year in a row.

Related Article: Generic launched to replace discontinued Otomize ear spray

‘We are increasing core funding for practices to allow the 4% pay uplift to be passed on to salaried and contractor GPs. The additional funding will also allow for pay uplifts for other salaried general practice staff.’

It added that it expected general practice contractors to pass on the proportion of additional staff funding.

Dr Beth Lynch, clinical director at Brownlow Health PCN in Liverpool welcomed the news, saying it improved retention and ‘long-term workforce stability’ in primary care.

She said: 'The confirmed pay uplift for all staff employed under the ARRS, in full alignment with the Agenda for Change pay framework is welcome news for us at Brownlow Health.

‘This decision reflects the high value ARRS roles bring to primary care services. Ensuring pay equity with wider NHS roles acknowledges the critical contribution of ARRS professionals in improving patient care and supporting the sustainability of general practice.

Related Article: FIP announces theme for World Pharmacists Day 2025

‘This uplift not only promotes fairness and parity across healthcare roles but also aims to enhance workplace morale and reinforce the value placed on ARRS staff.’

A version of this article was first published by our sister title Pulse PCN