Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme ARRS for Primary Care Networks

Supporting Primary Care with Earlier Dietetic Intervention

Primary care is facing increasing demand linked to obesity, diabetes, frailty, cardiovascular risk, malnutrition and long-term condition management.

Many patients repeatedly attend GP appointments with nutrition-related concerns that could benefit from specialist dietetic intervention earlier in the pathway.

An embedded FCP Dietitian model enables patients to access expert nutritional support directly within primary care reducing delays, supporting self-management, and helping practices intervene earlier.

Our FCP Dietitian service is designed to integrate into your multidisciplinary team and support your PCN in delivering prevention-focused, patient-centred care.

Why Introduce an FCP Dietitian into Your PCN?

PCNs are increasingly seeking innovative workforce solutions that improve patient access while reducing unnecessary GP demand.

An FCP Dietitian can support:

Reduced GP Workload

Patients with nutrition-related concerns can be assessed and managed directly, reducing avoidable GP appointments and repeat attendances.

Earlier Intervention

Timely dietary intervention can support patients before conditions escalate or require more intensive healthcare utilisation.

Long-Term Condition Management

Dietitians support patients living with obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, gastrointestinal conditions and frailty.

Prevention & Population Health

Supporting healthier lifestyles and improved self-management aligns with NHS prevention priorities and long-term condition strategies.

Integrated MDT Working

Our clinicians work collaboratively alongside GPs, pharmacists, physiotherapists, mental health practitioners and wider primary care teams.

Traditional Referral Pathway vs Embedded FCP Dietitian Model

Traditional Model

Patient sees GP first

Referral into community waiting list

Delayed specialist support

Repeat GP attendance common

Fragmented care pathway

Reactive management

FCP Dietitian Model

Direct access within primary care

Earlier intervention

Faster patient access

Reduced avoidable appointments

Integrated MDT management

Prevention-focused approach

Appropriate Patients for an FCP Dietitian

Our clinicians support a wide range of patients presenting within general practice.

Weight Management & Metabolic Health

Diabetes Support

Frailty & Malnutrition

Gastrointestinal & Nutritional Concerns

Women’s Health

Cardiovascular Health

Clinical Governance & Safe Practice

We understand that governance, safety and implementation are critical considerations for Clinical Directors and PCN leadership teams.

Patients outside scope or requiring specialist intervention are escalated appropriately through agreed clinical pathways.

Our service includes:

HCPC registered Dietitians

Clinical supervision and governance frameworks

Safeguarding compliance

Escalation and onward referral pathways

Outcome monitoring and reporting

Information governance and GDPR compliance

Experienced clinicians with primary care understanding

Experience working with primary care systems and MDT environments

Structured onboarding and implementation support

Flexible Service Delivery for PCNs

We recognise that every Primary Care Network operates differently.

Our delivery model can be tailored to your requirements:

Embedded PCN Support

Dedicated clinics delivered across one or multiple practices.

Sessional Delivery

Flexible clinical sessions aligned to demand.

Pilot Programmes

Start small, evaluate outcomes, and scale where appropriate.

Remote & Hybrid Delivery

Flexible consultation models depending on patient need and operational requirements.

Measurable Outcomes for Your PCN

We work with PCNs to establish meaningful service outcomes and reporting measures.

Potential KPIs include:

Reduction in GP appointments for nutrition-related presentations

Patients managed at first contact

Reduced repeat attendance

Improved self-management and patient activation

Weight management outcomes

Improved metabolic health indicators

Reduced onward referrals where clinically appropriate

Patient satisfaction measures

Attendance and engagement rates

Service utilisation reporting

We can work collaboratively with your PCN to agree outcome measures aligned to local priorities.

Why Partner with Xcel Health?

Xcel Health has extensive experience supporting primary care through FCP workforce delivery.

We understand the realities of PCN pressures, workforce challenges, and the importance of delivering clinically safe, measurable services that integrate effectively into existing teams.

Our approach focuses on:

Seamless implementation

Strong governance

Operational flexibility

Clinician quality

MDT integration

Measurable outcomes

Ongoing partnership support

Book a PCN Service Discussion

IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS

What Implementation Looks Like

01

Discovery Discussion

We understand your PCN priorities, patient demand and operational needs.

02

Service Design

Referral criteria, patient cohorts and clinic model agreed collaboratively.

03

Mobilisation

Clinician onboarding, systems setup and operational integration.

04

Delivery & Reporting

Regular reporting, outcome monitoring and service optimisation.

Frequently Asked Questions

If your practices are seeing increasing demand linked to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular risk, frailty or nutrition-related concerns, an embedded Dietitian may help reduce pressure while improving patient access.

Yes. Clinics can be designed around local priorities, patient demand and workforce needs.

Yes. Sessions can be distributed flexibly across your PCN.

Mobilisation timelines depend on requirements and availability, but we aim to support efficient onboarding.

Yes. Many PCNs prefer to begin with a pilot approach before wider rollout.

We agree reporting metrics with each PCN based on local priorities and intended outcomes.

Yes. Integration into practice teams and MDT working is central to delivery.

GET IN TOUCH

Discuss an FCP Dietitian Service for Your PCN

Whether you are exploring additional ARRS workforce options, looking to reduce GP demand, or strengthen long-term condition support, our team would welcome a conversation.