Introduction
The new NHS England guidance for 2024/25 outlines the allocation and use of Service Development Funding (SDF) and General Practice IT (GPIT) funding. This funding aims to enhance primary care services, support workforce growth, and improve IT infrastructure.
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 emphasizes 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 modernizing 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.
Conclusion
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 utilizing these funds, PCNs can improve patient access, streamline operations, and foster a sustainable, high-quality primary care environment.
For more detailed information, refer to the full guidance document on the NHS England website.