Foreward

The NHS has been through a lot since 2019, when primary care networks (PCNs) and the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) were introduced. The achievement of exceeding 50 million appointments and beating the 26,000 new staff recruitment goal cannot be overstated. In spite of the challenges, primary care has recruited over 34,000 new patient-facing staff and met the target to provide an additional 50 million appointments four months ahead of schedule. The success of the scheme is more than simply delivering on the ambitions, but primary care consistently going above and beyond to deliver for patients. 

However, to build sustainable general practice and deliver on the new ambitions of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, progress cannot stop now. Primary care still faces challenges from high levels of demand, unfit estates and the race to get the right digital infrastructure in place. 

As a network, we are committed to supporting primary care to maximise its impact on patients and drive change. As part of that work, we have considered the broader future of the additional staff in primary care and their potential to support the delivery of integrated care.