6 November 2025

The latest news and updates from NHS England for those working in Primary Care.

This week’s issue covers:

• Registration is now open for Inclusive Pharmacy Practice Week 2025 
• Phase 2 of childhood immunisation schedule changes 
• Flu vaccination reminder 

Community pharmacy

This week is Ask Your Pharmacist Week 

This week is Ask Your Pharmacist Week, organised by the National Pharmacy Association. Get involved in this year’s theme, which is ‘NHS Services Close to Home’, on social media using #AskYourPharmacist.  

Reminder to pharmacies: promote the Pharmacy First campaign 

As part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) 2025/26, pharmacy contractors are required to take part in two national health campaigns promoting Pharmacy First to the public, and two local health campaigns agreed by ICBs and LPCs at a local level. Thank you to community pharmacy teams for your ongoing efforts in promoting the campaigns. 

Community pharmacies should promote this first campaign until 9 November 2025. National materials are available for use on the DHSC Campaign Resource Centre.  

Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework update: webinar 

NHS England will be hosting a webinar at 7 - 8pm on 18 November to update on progress of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework: 2025 - 2026. The webinar will provide service specific information on the Pharmacy Contraception Service and the New Medicine Service expansions, and will share findings from the Independent Prescribing Pathfinder Programme. Pharmacy contractors, pharmacists and other pharmacy colleagues are invited to join this event. Book your place via the NHS England website.  

Registration is now open for Inclusive Pharmacy Practice Week 2025 
 
From 24-27 November, all pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and wider pharmacy team members are invited to join a series of free online workshops. Co-produced by 16 national pharmacy partners, sessions will focus on building more diverse leadership in pharmacy, improving patient experiences and reducing health inequalities. Register via the CPPE website. 

GPhC consultation on standards for the initial education and training of pharmacy technicians​ 

The General Pharmaceutical Council’s (GPhC) consultation on standards for the initial education and training of pharmacy technicians (IETPT) is open until 24 December 2025.  It seeks to gather views on proposed draft standards which bring about changes to pharmacy technician initial education and training, such as the level of study, entry requirements, educational supervision requirements, and the learning outcomes. Find out more on the GPhC’s website.  

General practice

Thank you to practice teams for implementing contract changes 

Thank you to practice teams for your efforts in implementing the recent contract changes. Many practices have been providing online access throughout core hours for some time, with the majority of practices delivering this service successfully. Other practices have taken huge strides to achieve this in the last six months.  

We’re starting to see a positive impact, with seven in ten adults saying it was easy to get through to their practice, up from six in ten in 2024, as outlined in ONS’ Health Insight Survey. Many GPs are saying that online access has improved their work life by making it easier to manage demand and triage patients based on clinical need.  

There is support available to those that may be finding it difficult to make this change. Practices should read the Frequently Asked Questions or watch these webinars, where practices explain how they’ve made the transition. Where there are difficulties in transitioning to new ways of working, GPs should work together and seek support from their ICB. 

Phase 2 of childhood immunisation schedule changes 

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England have published a letter in support of Phase 2 of changes to the National Child Immunisation Schedule. The letter covers the introduction of a routine varicella (MMRV) vaccination programme for children at one year and at 18 months, with a selective catch-up for children aged 3 years and 4 months to less than 6 years in England. 

SNOMED procedure and product codes for MMRV vaccines 

From 1 January 2026, practices should use the following codes to record MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella) vaccination: 

 Procedure: 

• 432636005 - Administration of vaccine product containing only Human alphaherpesvirus 3 and Measles morbillivirus and Mumps orthorubulavirus and Rubella virus antigens (procedure) 
• 433733003 - Administration of second dose of vaccine product containing only Human alphaherpesvirus 3 and Measles morbillivirus and Mumps orthorubulavirus and Rubella virus antigens (procedure) 

Product: 

• 45480711000001107 - ProQuad vaccine powder and solvent for suspension for injection 0.5ml pre-filled syringes (Merck Sharp & Dohme (UK) Ltd) (product) 
• 45525711000001102 - Priorix Tetra vaccine powder and solvent for solution for injection 0.5ml pre-filled syringes (GlaxoSmithKline UK Ltd) (product) 

GP practices are asked to share this information with their GPIT system suppliers to ensure readiness for recording of MMRV vaccinations by 1 January 2026. 

Deal ensures continued access to inclisiran (Leqvio) 

A reminder that NHS England and Novartis renegotiated access to inclisiran, an injectable cholesterol-lowering treatment for patients at risk of cardiovascular disease from April 2025. This renewed agreement ensures comprehensive lipid management pathway coverage, providing an option for patients whose cholesterol has not been effectively reduced by statins alone or combined with ezetimibe. 

From 1 April 2025 GPs will be reimbursed at the rate of £60 which is a £10 increase on the previous rate of reimbursement. For general practice, inclisiran will continue to be available from the wholesaler (AAH) at £45 (nominal charge) plus VAT (health professionals and pharmaceutical products – VAT Notice 701/57). 

The deal maintains pricing for current and new NHS patients in England until December 2027, with arrangements ensuring that any revisions from January 2028 will not affect patients already receiving treatment.  

Visit the NHS England website for more information on lipid management including access to inclisiran and updated funding and supply arrangements. 

Medical Certificate of Cause of Death: please check your supplies 

The Department for Health and Social care has asked organisations that use the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to review their stocks and to order any additional supplies as soon as possible to ensure they have sufficient MCCDs to last for a year. Organisations are encouraged to check they understand the ordering process and that they have their unique password.  There is a lead time on orders being processed so it’s important to ensure sufficient stocks as teams prepare for winter pressures. 

Diabetic eye screening and glucagon-like peptide agonists: guidance 

NHS England is reviewing evidence on early worsening of diabetic retinopathy associated with rapid glucose improvement and the use of glucagon-like peptide/ glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GLP-1/GIP) receptor agonists. Current guidance advises no additional screening is required for patients who have a rapid improvement in their diabetes control. DES services have been advised not to schedule extra appointments for these individuals. If a patient is due to start treatment and missed their last screening, they may be re-invited on request. If additional imaging or assessment is required, this should be requested via hospital eye services. 

Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme 

The Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, also known as the Healthier You programme, is a behaviour change programme that supports patients identified as being at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The programme is available both as a face-to-face group service and as a digital service. Research shows the programme cuts the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than a third for people completing the programme. Contact your local service provider for information about how to refer in your area or email england.ndpp@nhs.net. 

NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme 

The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme is a nationally commissioned service available to eligible patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes – via general practice referral. This 12 month programme involves provision of low calorie, total diet replacement products (for 12 weeks) alongside support and monitoring including help to re-introduce food. Early outcomes show that of those who completed the programme and had two HbA1c measurements, 32% had put their type 2 diabetes into remission, with an average weight loss of almost 16kg. Contact your local service provider for information about how to refer or email england.t2diabetesremission@nhs.net. 

Clinical systems experience survey for General Practice 

This survey, which closes on 16 November, is designed to understand how digital tools are working across general practice. It is open to all staff working in general practice who use clinical systems. 

Primary care

Flu vaccination reminder 

Colleagues may have seen today that over 13.2 million people are now vaccinated, which is thanks to the hard work of primary care colleagues. With flu cases rising and the season coming earlier this year, it's important to keep doing everything to offer vaccinations to eligible cohorts. A reminder that to help encourage those eligible to come forwards, communication materials are available on the Campaign Resource Centre. 

Reminder: share and update your walk in information for November 

A reminder to all sites offering walk-ins for COVID and/or flu vaccines to please update your profile manager information, including walk-in clinic times. Many people prefer to access vaccination without an appointment, so keeping this information current is essential for good access and improved uptake. Updates can be made as normal via profile manager. For help, email nhswebsite.servicedesk@nhs.net.

January 2026 cohort registration is open: build a compassionate and inclusive NHS culture 

Primary care teams are central to delivering the 10 Year Health and Workforce Plan. The online course ‘Nurturing Compassionate and Inclusive NHS Culture’ supports colleagues in understanding how compassionate, inclusive leadership strengthens team wellbeing and improves patient outcomes. Participants will explore practical ways to foster positive cultures and connect with others shaping the NHS of the future. This is open to everyone with an interest in building positive working environments. Register your place. 

Fourth series of podcast continues with menopause discussion  

In the UK, the usual age range for the menopause is 45 to 55, but many women will go through this transition before the age of 40. Series four of the Transforming Primary Care podcast, produced by NHS England - North East and Yorkshire, continues with a discussion marking last month’s World Menopause Awareness Day, chaired by consultant gynaecologist and regional medical director for the East of England, Dr Eddie Morris. He is joined by a panel of GPs and other healthcare professionals to outline how this area fits with the 10 Year Health Plan, including how women’s health hubs are helping reduce waiting lists. 

Get involved

Registration open for the 2025 NHS Genomics Healthcare Summit 

Now in its fourth year, the NHS Genomics Healthcare Summit is a key event in the field of genomics, taking place on 15 and 16 December in London. Primary care practitioners are vital to the early identification of genomics issues, and the event welcomes staff members who want to get more involved in this field. Register online. 

Help shape the use of genomics in adult healthcare: complete a short survey 

Genomics England wants to understand the views of primary care healthcare professionals on the role of genetic information for future prevention, risk prediction, and prescribing decisions. This is to design an adult population research study, as set out in the NHS 10 Year Health Plan. Complete the survey via their website by 30 November. 

World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week – 18–24 November 

This year’s Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week (18–24 November) highlights the urgent need to act and use antibiotics responsibly. Join free, expert-led webinars to deepen your understanding, learn more about best practice, and gain practical strategies to combat AMR in your work.  

Upcoming webinars and events

• 7 Nov 12:30 – 1:30pm AMR in Focus: Empowering Health Professionals in the Fight Against AMR 
• 11 November, 12:30 – 2pm. National Infection and Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data symposium 2025 
• 12 November, 10am–11:30am NHS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) improvement plan: two year review 
• 12 Nov 12-1pm. Delivering the People Promise in general practice webinar: Creating a Culture of Kindness: Culture, Civility & Respect 
• 19 Nov 12-1pm. Delivering the People Promise in general practice webinar: The People Promise and Customer Care 
• 19 November, 12.30pm–13.30pm, GIRFT webinar: Introducing the GIRFT chronic pain workstream 
• 19 Nov   3pm – 4pm Seen and not heard – a gut feeling antibiotic use and AMR in children is a secondary consideration 
• 24 Nov  12:30 – 1:30pm Optimising the Blood Culture Pathway: Audit Insights and Regional Success Stories 
• 2 Dec 12-1pm. Delivering the People Promise in general practice webinar: Health and Wellbeing in General Practice 
• 2 Dec 1-2pm. Primary care discussion: hypertension care in community pharmacy 
• Dec 1-3.30pm. Latest developments in Health and Justice Medicines Optimisation 
• 10 Dec 12-1pm. Delivering the People Promise in general practice webinar: Management and Leadership Development in General Practice 
• 14 Jan 12-1pm. Delivering the People Promise in general practice webinar:  General Practice Staff Survey Learning Session  

Catch up

Missed a recent national webinar? View slides and recordings below:

• General Practice webinars