Funding to support ICBs with primary care staffing shortages

NHS England has published updated guidance on the Primary Care Flexible Staff Pools arrangements first introduced in December 2020 to support the provision and development of flexible pools of GPs across local systems. These pools will support Primary Care Networks – most likely at ICB or place level – to increase capacity in general practice and create a new offering for local GPs wanting to work flexibly.

Integrated Care Boards can receive up to £120k for the creation of staff pools to engage and deploy local GPs flexibly in an ongoing way, to support local primary care, including PCNs extended access services. ICBs are free to agree their own delivery model – and they will be able to access a digital supplier framework as an optional enabler to support the deployment of staff to local systems. The use of digital solutions is expected to provide local systems with more easily available solutions to match GP capacity to need. This presents a great opportunity for the role of digital providers to fulfil this function. The expectation is that practices and PCNs will benefit from reduced burden in accessing temporary staff.

You can access the guidance for 2022/23 here it sets out the funding arrangements and the process for establishing and managing flexible pools together with details on the digital supplier framework. ICBs can access support using the GP workforce scheme delivery hub and GPs the GP career support hub.