The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) lets PCNs claim back the cost of extra clinical staff. Its rules changed again for 2026/27, and GPs are now much easier to recruit through it.
This guide explains where locums fit, based on NHS England’s Network Contract DES specification and Part B guidance for 2026/27. Commissioners apply the rules locally, so confirm any arrangement with yours before relying on a claim.
Roles and maximum reimbursement in 2026/27
ARRS reimburses actual salary plus employer National Insurance and pension, up to a maximum for each role. These are the annual maximums for the roles FindALocum works with, per whole-time role.
| Role | National | Inner London |
|---|---|---|
| GP | £152,900 | £155,698 |
| Clinical pharmacist | £71,725 | £83,040 |
| Pharmacy technician | £46,447 | £55,887 |
| New to general practice nurse (band 5) | £46,447 | £55,887 |
| Experienced general practice nurse (band 6) | £57,114 | £68,429 |
| Enhanced practice nurse (band 7) | £69,515 | £80,830 |
Sources: NHS England: Network Contract DES specification 2026/27
Any GP can now be an ARRS GP, with one exception
In 2025/26, ARRS GPs had to have gained their certificate of completion of training within the previous two years. For 2026/27 that restriction has gone. The one bar is that a PCN cannot claim for a GP who has been substantively employed as a GP in one of its own practices in the previous 12 months.
Temporary work does not count as substantive employment. A GP engaged to cover maternity or sickness leave, for example, is not caught by the rule, so a locum who knows your practices can be recruited into an ARRS GP role.
Sources: NHS England: Network Contract DES specification 2026/27
| Shift | Day | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Locum GP, morning | Monday | 2 applied |
| Practice nurse | Tuesday | Offered |
| Clinical pharmacist | Wednesday | Booked |
Why ad-hoc locum sessions do not qualify
Whether staff are employed directly or engaged through a service contract with another organisation, the arrangement must be intended to last at least six months. NHS England’s guidance says a pay-as-you-go arrangement is not eligible.
So ARRS will not pay for a locum booked session by session. Practice-funded cover, or the GP Reimbursement Scheme for extra regular locum sessions, is the route for that.
Sources: NHS England: Network Contract DES specification 2026/27 · NHS England: Network Contract DES Part B guidance 2026/27
Using an agency or other provider
A PCN can use a third-party organisation, such as a federation, trust or agency, as long as the service delivers the full role requirements in the specification. For clinical pharmacists, the guidance expects a consistent pharmacist working with the PCN team: a different person every shift does not meet the requirements.
Reimbursement is limited to actual salary plus employer National Insurance and pension, up to the role maximum. The PCN agrees costs with the provider with that in mind, and anything above it is not reimbursed.
Sources: NHS England: Network Contract DES specification 2026/27 · NHS England: Network Contract DES Part B guidance 2026/27
Covering ARRS staff on sickness or parental leave
There is one exception to the six-month rule. A shorter fixed-term arrangement can be claimed when it provides temporary cover, for example during sickness or parental leave, for someone employed through ARRS. The claim is pro rata for the period and whole-time equivalent, up to the role maximum.
This is where a locum clinical pharmacist, pharmacy technician or practice nurse can fit within ARRS: covering a colleague’s leave for a defined period.
Sources: NHS England: Network Contract DES Part B guidance 2026/27 · NHS England: Network Contract DES specification 2026/27
Where FindALocum fits
We introduce GPs, clinical pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and practice nurses for ad-hoc sessions, regular sessions and blocks of cover, including cover for ARRS staff on leave. Your practice or PCN contracts with and pays the clinician directly. Our booking fee is separate and is not part of an ARRS claim, which covers only salary and on-costs.
Common questions
Can a locum GP become an ARRS GP?
Yes, if the PCN employs or engages them in an eligible role intended to last at least six months. Previous temporary locum work at the PCN’s practices does not count as substantive employment under the 12-month rule.
Can ARRS fund an agency clinical pharmacist?
Yes, if the arrangement is intended to last at least six months and the full ARRS role is delivered. A different pharmacist each shift, or pay-as-you-go cover, does not qualify.
Can ARRS pay for cover while our ARRS nurse is on maternity leave?
Yes. Temporary cover for an ARRS-funded member of staff on sickness or parental leave can be claimed for a shorter period, pro rata up to the role maximum.
Official sources
Sources checked . Requirements can differ by country, employer and role; use the current guidance relevant to the work.
Published by FindALocum. How we prepare our articles · Suggest a correction
