The ARRS roles in primary care are diverse, each contributing uniquely to patient care and the broadening of services offered by PCNs. From clinical pharmacists to first-contact practitioners, these roles are reimbursed through ARRS funding, enabling PCNs to more effectively meet the complex health needs of their communities.
The ARRS roles list is regularly updated, with ARRS roles 2024 introducing new opportunities for PCN ARRS expansion.
- Clinical Pharmacists: These professionals play a critical role in patient care through medication management, conducting medication reviews, providing advice on medication usage, and supporting chronic disease management. Their expertise in pharmacology ensures patients receive optimal therapeutic outcomes.
- Pharmacy Technicians: Working closely with clinical pharmacists, pharmacy technicians assist in the management of medications, including organising prescriptions, ensuring the safe supply of medicines, and supporting patients in understanding their treatment regimens.
- Health and Well-being Coaches: These coaches empower patients to take control of their health through lifestyle and behaviour changes. They work with individuals to develop personalised health plans, focusing on improving physical and mental well-being.
- Dieticians: Specialising in nutrition, dieticians provide expert advice on diet for health improvement, disease management, and prevention. They play a crucial role in developing tailored nutritional plans that cater to the specific needs of patients.
- Podiatrists: Podiatrists are essential for patients requiring foot care, offering treatment for foot and lower limb problems. Their work is vital in preventing and managing conditions that impact mobility and quality of life.
- Paramedics: Within the primary care setting, paramedics bring their urgent care skills to provide acute care, home visits, and support for emergency situations, enhancing the responsiveness and flexibility of healthcare services.
- Nursing Associates: Bridging the gap between healthcare assistants and registered nurses, nursing associates provide crucial support in patient care, offering a blend of nursing and care responsibilities.
- Occupational Therapists: These therapists assist patients in overcoming the challenges posed by illness, injury, or disability, focusing on improving their ability to perform everyday activities and enhancing their quality of life.
- First-contact Physiotherapists: Offering direct access to musculoskeletal expertise, first-contact physiotherapists reduce the need for GP consultations for musculoskeletal issues, providing assessments, diagnoses, and treatment plans.
- Care Co-ordinators: They play a pivotal role in managing patient care, ensuring that individuals receive coordinated services across different healthcare providers. This role is crucial for patients with complex health needs, ensuring seamless care transitions and support.
- Physician Associates: Working alongside doctors, physician associates support the diagnosis and management of patients. They perform medical histories, conduct physical exams, and can recommend treatment plans, enhancing the capacity of the healthcare team.
- Adult Mental Health Practitioner: These practitioners deliver crucial support in primary care settings, focusing on adults with complex mental health needs. They work to bridge the gap between primary and secondary care, offering interventions and promoting recovery and well-being
- Children and Young People’s Mental Health Practitioner: Similar to their adult counterparts, these practitioners specialise in supporting children and young people within primary care. They play a key role in early intervention, offering mental health advice and support, and are pivotal in the NHS’s aim to increase access to mental health services for younger populations.
- Trainee Nursing Associate: Trainees in this role are on the path to becoming Nursing Associates, a position bridging the gap between healthcare assistants and registered nurses. They receive training across various healthcare settings, acquiring skills to provide care and support across the health and care spectrum.
- Social Prescribing Link Worker: These workers help patients connect with non-medical sources of support within the community to improve their well-being. They address social, emotional, and practical needs, directing individuals to local services and activities.
- General Practice Assistant: Assisting in the day-to-day operations of GP practices, these assistants support clinical staff with administrative tasks, patient care, and the management of patient records and communication.
- Digital and Transformation Lead: Focused on improving healthcare services through digital innovation, these leaders manage and implement technology-driven projects. They work to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and ensure the efficient use of digital health solutions.
- Advanced Practitioner: This role encompasses highly skilled professionals who can assess, diagnose, and treat patients. Advanced Practitioners work autonomously in specialized areas of practice, contributing significantly to patient care and service delivery efficiency.
- Enhanced Practice Nurse: These nurses hold a postgraduate certification at level seven or above in specialist care areas, marking them as essential in primary care. With a strong foundation in both theory and practice, they offer advanced skills in patient management and leadership. Their role, critical for bridging the gap between registered and advanced practice nurses, significantly boosts the quality and efficiency of patient care services.
- General Practitioners (GPs): Newly qualified GPs employed through the ARRS funding bring essential clinical expertise to primary care networks. Equipped with a comprehensive understanding of both general medicine and patient-centred care, these GPs play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of service delivery within PCNs. Their integration into primary care helps to alleviate workloads, improve patient access, and provide continuity of care. The addition of GPs through the ARRS ensures that primary care teams can manage increasing patient demand while maintaining high standards of clinical care.
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