Pharmacists remain most popular ARRS roles for PCNs

Pharmacists remain most popular ARRS roles for PCNs

Pharmacists continue to be the most popular ARRS role hired by PCNs, according to the latest workforce figures.

There were 5,308 full time equivalent (FTE) ARRS pharmacists working in PCNs in April 2024, according to NHS England primary care workforce statistics. This is up from 5,163 in January 2024.

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This was closely followed by care coordinators, 4,771 FTE of which were working in PCNs in April, compared to 4,626 in January, and 2,845 FTE social prescribing link workers, down from 2,866 in January (see box for full breakdown).

Overall, there are over 24,000 FTE ARRS roles working in PCNs in England.

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It comes as the Conservative party has pledged to expand Pharmacy First to free up 20 million GP appointments if they win the general election on 4 July.

The party would also build 100 new GP surgeries and modernise a further 150, they have promised this week, backed by £1bn in funding a year by 2029/30. This would be funded by cutting the number of NHS managers and ‘halving spend on consultants’ in the public sector.

Earlier this year, a study called for issues with ARRS to be addressed if its full potential was to be realised, including funding, estates and oversight.

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This article first appeared on our sister title Pulse PCN.

Breakdown of FTE ARRS roles employed in PCNs according to latest data
ARRS role No of staff
Pharmacists 5,308
Care Coordinators 4,771
Social Prescribing Link Workers
(Non-Mental Health Practitioners)		 2,845
Pharmacy Technicians 1,907
Physiotherapists 1,576
Physician Associates 1,164
Paramedics 1,158
Health and Wellbeing Coaches 1,075
General Practice Assistants 1,070
Trainee Nursing Associates 467
Nursing Associates 457
Advanced Nurse Practitioners 430
Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioners (Mental Health Practitioners) 403
Advanced Pharmacist Practitioners 391
Advanced Paramedic Practitioners 227
Therapists (Non-Mental Health Practitioners) 210
Digital and Transformation Leads 189
Dieticians 134
Advanced Physiotherapist Practitioners 98
Social Prescribing Link Workers (Mental Health Practitioners) 87
Healthcare Assistants 74
Podiatrists 48
Community Mental Health Nurses (Mental Health Practitioners) 45
Health Support Workers 45
Therapists (Mental Health Practitioners) 14
Advanced Occupational Therapist Practitioners (Non-Mental Health Practitioners) 11
Advanced Dietician Practitioners 6
Advanced Podiatrist Practitioners 3
Applied Psychologists – Clinical (Mental Health Practitioners) 2
Social Workers (Mental Health Practitioners) 1
Trainee Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioners (Mental Health Practitioners) 1
Trainee Clinical Associates in Psychology (Mental Health Practitioners) –
Advanced Occupational Therapist Practitioners (Mental Health Practitioners) –
Clinical Associates in Psychology (Mental Health Practitioners) –
Peer Support Workers (Mental Health Practitioners) –
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