354: NHS Primary Care Bulletin - 28 August 2025

This article summarises the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin for 28 August 2025, the weekly email update for teams in general practice, dentistry, community pharmacy, and optometry.

This week’s bulletin focuses on key updates in general practice, vaccination initiatives, and the expansion of research platforms, alongside insights into new strategies for community integration. It highlights ongoing support for primary care professionals and updates on essential resources and webinars.

General practice updates

Reminder: Link to ‘You and Your General Practice’ on practice websites

The You and Your General Practice (YYGP) initiative outlines the mutual expectations between patients and practices. Following the GP contract for 2025/26, it is mandatory for every practice to link to the YYGP information on their websites by 1 October 2025. This resource also provides guidance on how patients can raise concerns or give feedback. Practices are encouraged to place this link prominently on their homepages. More information is available on the NHS England website.

RSV vaccination of older adults

Current guidelines allow GP practices to administer RSV vaccinations to individuals aged 80 until 31 August 2025. Changes will extend this eligibility to those turning 80 from 1 September 2024 until 31 August 2026. Following 31 August 2025, authorisation through the RSV Patient Group Direction (PGD) will cease, and practices should switch to using a Patient Specific Direction (PSD). Claims for payments are to continue as per local agreements. The vaccination offers for individuals aged 75-79 and pregnant women remain unchanged.

NHS England expands OpenSAFELY beyond Covid remit

NHS England has announced the expansion of the OpenSAFELY research platform for uses beyond COVID-19, following directions from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. A new Data Provision Notice has been issued to GP practices that use either TPP or Optum systems, instructing them to enable data access for the platform. Instructions for both SystmOne and EMISWeb systems can be found on the NHS England Digital website along with FAQs.

NHS Confederation general practice webinar on implementing online consultation tools

To prepare for the mandatory implementation of online consultation tools by 1 October 2025, the NHS Confederation is hosting a series of webinars. The next session will feature insights from Dr Simone Yule, Kate Jones, and Lucy Jones on effective implementation strategies. Register for the webinar.

People Promise in General Practice workshop

A workshop focusing on the People Promise in General Practice will take place on 30 September. It aims to provide an overview of the resources available for implementation, along with opportunities for peer learning. Find out more and register.

Primary care updates

Last chance to complete Transforming Primary Care podcast survey

The Transforming Primary Care podcast, produced by NHS England, explores improvements to patient access that also reduce workload for primary care teams. A survey to gather feedback is open until 31 August. More insights are welcomed from GPs, practice managers, and other healthcare professionals. Access the podcast and survey.

Support for student nurses and graduates in primary care

The Student Hub has been updated to include enhanced resources for student nurses, midwives, and nursing associates. It offers job search tips, interview preparation, and career guidance, supporting the graduate guarantee announced in August. Visit the Student Hub.

Actions to tackle sexual misconduct in the NHS

NHS England has published guidance outlining Actions to tackle sexual misconduct in the NHS. This includes frameworks for primary care providers to create safer work environments and protocols for identifying and acting against perpetrators. Read the guidance.

National Academy for Social Prescribing survey

The National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) is conducting a survey to inform their new strategy and enhance social prescribing across England. Participation in the survey takes approximately five minutes. Take the survey.

Integration and community care

What does the Ten-Year Health Plan mean for integration?

An analysis from the NHS Confederation details the implications of the Ten-Year Health Plan for integrated neighbourhood health services. It discusses various delivery models and includes case studies, anticipating the announcement of the 42 sites chosen for the National Neighbourhood Implementation programme. Read the analysis.

Upcoming webinars and events

• Various dates: RCN general practice nursing forum webinars

• 3 September, 10.30am-12pm: AI Ambassador Network meeting

• 4 September, 2-3pm: BMJ Best Practice and state-of-the-art care for asthma in adults

• 4 September, 5-6pm: General Practice Webinar

• 10 September, 12-1pm: Realising the potential of primary care provider collaboratives: Surrey Downs Health and Care

• 10 September, 12.30-1.30pm: GIRFT webinar on spinal conditions

• 30 September, 12-1pm: Realising the potential of primary care provider collaboratives: Birmingham and Solihull Community Care Collaborative.

Catch up

If you missed any recent national webinars, you can view slides and recordings here: General Practice webinars.

Content in this article is drawn from the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin. Patient.info edits and formats the updates to provide a clear, accessible archive for professionals. For the original email, click here.