Consultant nurses in primary care have been added to the additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) as part of the Network Contract DES for 2025/26.
Nursing roles included in the ARRS now include enhanced practice nurses, new to general practice nurses, experienced general practice nurses, consultant nurses primary care and nursing associates.
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From 2025/26, PCNs will be able to claim up to £102,683 per consultant nurse in primary care, which can go towards salary and some on-costs.
The PCN DES sets out that consultant nurses in primary care will be working at a level equivalent to band 8c on Agenda for Change (AfC).
To be employed by a primary care network (PCN) under ARRS, they must:
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- Hold a Master’s degree and be working towards a PhD, Educational Doctorate, or equivalent research qualification
- Have extensive experience in advanced clinical leadership, service development, workforce planning, and system-wide innovation
- Be registered with the NMC and maintains revalidation in line with NMC requirements
Where a PCN employs or engages one or more consultant nurses in primary care under ARRS, they will have the following key responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership and innovation in PCN-led service development
- Lead on workforce planning and the professional development of nurses across the PCN
- Drive improvements in population health outcomes, reducing health inequalities and improving access for underrepresented communities
- Lead research, evaluation, and implementation of best practice to transform service delivery
- Operate independently at an expert level, leading complex care management and service improvement initiatives
- Work across traditional boundaries to integrate care with secondary, community, and social care partners
Source: Network Contract DES for 2025/26.
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The ARRS scheme, introduced in 2019, allows PCNs to claim reimbursement towards the salaries of some staff.
Enhanced level practice nurses have been included in ARRS since April last year.
