359: NHS Primary Care Bulletin - 2 October 2025

Introduction

This article summarises the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin for 2 October 2025, the weekly email update for teams in general practice, dentistry, community pharmacy, and optometry.

Main themes of the week

Key topics covered this week include the introduction of the NHS App's family access feature, updates to the Pharmacy First Service, and the launch of free e-learning courses in recognition of Black History Month aimed at healthcare professionals.

General practice

GP contract changes

All GP practices are now mandated to keep their online consultation systems operational during core hours for non-urgent appointment requests, medication queries, and administrative requests. This requirement aims to enhance patient access and alleviate pressure on telephone systems. Evidence suggests that practices adopting this approach have experienced significant reductions in telephone wait times and increased patient satisfaction. For instance, Blackmore Vale Partnership reported an average wait time drop from 11 minutes to just one minute.

Online consultations and guidance

To assist practices in meeting the new contract requirements, NHS England has made available resources, including frequently asked questions, case studies, and a comprehensive aide memoir. Webinars discussing practical implementation strategies have also been recorded and can be accessed for review: 6 August, 4 September, and 11 September.

NHS App's family access feature

The NHS App is piloting a new family access feature that streamlines health management for parents and carers. Nearly 12,000 individuals have already participated in trials across 68 GP practices, with plans for broader implementation in the coming year. More details can be found here.

New online hospital - NHS Online

Plans are advancing for the establishment of NHS Online, a digital hospital that will provide elective care without a physical site. This innovative model allows GPs to refer patients to specialist care digitally, connecting them with expert clinicians across England. Read more about this development here.

Primary care

Selected List Scheme amendment

The Selected List Scheme has been revised to permit year-round prescribing of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®), enhancing access to antiviral treatments for influenza outside of usual seasonal restrictions. This change is expected to improve prescribing efficiency and patient access.

Community pharmacy

Pharmacy First Service operational update

Updates to the Pharmacy First clinical pathways service are now live. A new gateway point has been established for all seven clinical pathways, facilitating earlier recognition of care needs. Community pharmacy teams should review the updated documents to ensure compliance.

Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework (CPAF) – full survey

The full CPAF survey is now open for pharmacy contractors until midnight on 31 October 2025. Selected contractors will be contacted directly by the NHS Business Services Authority. Completion is mandatory for those chosen. Survey responses will inform future visits and assessments.

Hub and spoke notifications approved particulars

New guidelines regarding hub and spoke arrangements between legal entities have been published. Contractors must provide a minimum of 28 days' notice to their ICB when entering into such arrangements. More information can be found here.

Optometry

DHSC consultation reminder: Extend medicines for optometrists and contact lens opticians

A consultation has been launched to gather opinions on expanding the range of medicines that optometrists and contact lens opticians can prescribe and administer. This initiative aims to enhance the treatment options for minor eye conditions in the community. The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 27 November 2025. Details are available here.

Get involved

Black History Month: free e-learning courses for all healthcare professionals

In recognition of Black History Month, healthcare professionals can access two free e-learning modules focusing on healthcare issues affecting the Black community. The modules cover topics such as diagnosing breast cancer in Black women and sickle cell disorder. Register for these courses via the RCGP website and the NHS Learning Hub.

Cyber Awareness Month

October is designated as Cyber Awareness Month. Healthcare professionals are reminded to adopt good cyber habits to protect sensitive patient data. Recent cyberattacks highlight the risks to healthcare systems, underscoring the importance of vigilance. More information on how to stay safe can be found here.

Futures Collaboration annual survey 2025

The Futures Collaboration Platform team has launched their annual survey to collect feedback from users. This survey aims to identify areas for improvement and will be open until 10 October. Participation takes approximately ten minutes and is valuable for enhancing user experience. Access the survey here.

NHS Operational Improvement Training – an opportunity for primary care staff

The NHS Operational Improvement Training Programme is now open for clinical and operational staff in primary care. This programme aims to enhance leadership and operational management skills. More information can be found here.

Upcoming webinars and events

• 12-13 Oct: The Pharmacy Show

• 14 Oct, 11:30-12:30pm: NHS App Update webinar

• 15 Oct, 10–12pm: Embedding Healthy Speaking Up Cultures: Organisations Listening, Learning and Leading for Safer Care – learning event

• 15 Oct, 6.30-7.30pm: RCGP webinar, Managing paediatric respiratory tract infections - what is the evidence

• 5 November (9.30am-12pm): Antimicrobial Stewardship for Nurses Across the Continuum of Care

• 6 Nov, 5–6pm: General Practice webinar

Closing

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. View the original email here.