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NHS England has reassured that GP Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme funding will continue in 2025/26, encouraging primary care networks (PCNs) to use it for recruiting recently qualified GPs. In October 2024, updates to the Network Contract DES specification enabled PCNs to claim reimbursement for hiring recently qualified GPs through the ARRS for the remainder of 2024/25. An additional £82 million in funding was also announced to allow PCNs to employ over 1,000 additional GPs. This action is part of the government's strategy to boost long-term GP employment, helping practices offer more appointments for patients and addressing the issue of unemployment among newly qualified GPs. However, NHS England recognised that uncertainty about the continuation of ARRS funding beyond 2024/25 has been a barrier for some PCNs in undertaking recruitment of recently qualified GPs. To address this, Dr. Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHSE, issued an official statement reaffirming the continuation of this funding into 2025/26.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, visited St Margaret's Hospital in Epping, West Essex, on Thursday (1 August) as part of an ongoing series of planned engagements with NHS trusts across England. Accompanied by NHS Chief Executive, Amanda Pritchard, Streeting observed how NHS staff are using innovative technology to monitor patients at home and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions. He met with staff from the hospital's Care Coordination Centre and the 'hospital at home' hub, which work to reduce unnecessary A&E admissions and facilitate quick and safe discharges home. Before the hospital tour, the health secretary met the trust's falls response team, which uses a specially equipped 'falls car' to assist patients who have fallen at home, preventing A&E visits. Later, Streeting visited the Ross Practice GP surgery in Harlow before holding a town hall event with health leaders in the region.