The new NHS England guidance for 2024/25 is set to bolster primary care with targeted investments in Service Development Funding (SDF) and General Practice IT (GPIT). This funding aims to enhance patient care, foster workforce growth, and advance IT infrastructure across practices. Practice managers will play a pivotal role in implementing these initiatives, ensuring efficient resource allocation and the seamless integration of digital tools to optimise operational efficiency and improve healthcare delivery
CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Enhanced Primary Care
Key funding areas
Primary care transformation funding
Total funding: £126.9 million
Purpose: To support initiatives that improve access to primary care, tackle the 8am rush, and enhance the patient experience. The funding combines previous allocations like local GP retention funds and digital first primary care into a single transformation fund.
Additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS)
Total funding: £907 million within ICB baselines, plus £534 million centrally held.
Purpose: To fund 26,000 additional roles in PCNs, supporting the creation of multidisciplinary teams and enhancing primary care capacity.
General practice fellowships and supporting mentors schemes
Total funding: £44.3 million
Purpose: To continue supporting participants who joined on or before March 2024, providing salary reimbursement, learning, and mentoring.
New to partnerships payments scheme
Total funding: £5 million
Purpose: To cover training costs for the scheme’s existing participants.
GPIT funding
Total GPIT revenue: £280.1 million in ICB baselines.
Purpose: To support core GPIT requirements, including digital consultation, messaging, and booking tools, with an additional £48 million for enhanced digital capabilities.
Workforce and recruitment initiatives
The guidance emphasises the importance of growing and retaining the primary care workforce through various initiatives, including the General Practice Fellowship, Return to Practice, and International Induction Programmes. The funding supports salaries, on-costs, and programme delivery, aiming to create a sustainable and engaged workforce.
IT infrastructure and digital transformation
Investment in GPIT infrastructure is critical for modernising general practice. The £13 million allocated for GPIT infrastructure and resilience, along with additional digital transformation funding, will enable practices to adopt advanced digital tools and improve patient care.
Community pharmacy PCN engagement roles
Funding is provided to establish community pharmacy PCN engagement leads, supporting the implementation of services like Pharmacy First and expanding blood pressure checks and contraception services.
The 2024/25 funding guidance reflects NHS England’s commitment to enhancing primary care through targeted investments in workforce development, IT infrastructure, and service transformation. By effectively utilising these funds, PCNs can improve patient access, streamline operations, and foster a sustainable, high-quality primary care environment.
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