361 NHS Primary Care Bulletin - 16 October 2025

Introduction

This article summarises the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin for 16 October 2025, the weekly email update for teams in general practice, dentistry, community pharmacy, and optometry.

Summary of key themes

The latest bulletin highlights significant updates including the review of the GP funding formula aimed at addressing health inequalities, the expansion of the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service, and the ongoing Health Insight Survey. Each section provides specific guidance and updates relevant to general practice, community pharmacy, and dentistry, ensuring that healthcare professionals are informed about changes and new initiatives.

General practice

Review of GP funding formula announced

A review of the GP funding formula has been announced, which aims to create a fairer distribution of funding and tackle health inequalities. This six-month review, conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), will assess a new allocation formula and its feasibility, with the goal of replacing the existing Carr-Hill formula. For further details, read more about the review of GP funding formula.

Contract requirements

Practices have been informed of three key changes to the 2025-26 GP contract:

• Online consultation tools must be available throughout core hours.

• GP Connect Update Record functionality should be enabled for community pharmacy professionals to send consultation summaries into the GP practice workflow.

• Practices must link to You and Your General Practice from their websites.

Support is available for practices that are facing challenges in implementing these changes. Additional resources include a FAQ section and webinars detailing the transition process.

How General Practice can ensure better outcomes for people with a learning disability

A joint letter from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Mencap has been dispatched to GPs, stressing the importance of learning disability registers and annual health checks. The letter highlights that individuals with learning disabilities have a significantly shorter life expectancy and calls for practices to ensure annual health checks are offered and that reasonable adjustments are made to meet patient needs.

Clinical Systems Experience Survey for General Practice

All staff in general practice are encouraged to participate in the Clinical Systems Experience Survey by 16 November 2025. Feedback is essential for informing national priorities and improving digital systems.

MCCD guidance – the importance of completing the implantable device field

Medical practitioners are reminded to complete the implantable device field in medical certificates of cause of death (MCCDs). This information is crucial for safe cremations and burials, as well as supporting device recycling. Guidance on completing MCCDs can be found here.

Record summer of NHS activity

NHS staff achieved record levels of activity over the summer months, with over half a million patients avoiding unnecessary hospital referrals through Advice and Guidance. More details can be found in the latest data.

Community pharmacy

Expansion of the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service

The NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service is set to expand to include emergency contraception. Updated service specifications and patient group directions (PGDs) will be released on NHS England's website on 20 October 2025. Community pharmacy teams should prepare for these changes, with current service documents available here.

Enabling pharmacist flexibilities when dispensing medicines – consultation

A consultation has been launched by the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England to explore proposals for enhancing pharmacist flexibilities in dispensing. This includes allowing pharmacists to supply different strengths or formulations of prescribed medicines under certain circumstances. The consultation is open until 11 December 2025. For more information, visit this link.

Community Pharmacy workforce survey 2025

The Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey (CPWS) 2025 is currently live and will close on 21 November 2025. This survey aims to gather insights for future workforce planning and investment. More information can be found on the NHS England CPWS webpage and the CPE CPWS webpage.

Dentistry

Urgent dental care incentive scheme

NHS England has introduced a new incentive scheme to enhance urgent dental care capacity. This scheme aims to secure an additional 700,000 urgent dental care appointments this financial year. More details can be found in the letter sent to Integrated Care Boards here.

Primary Care

Huge increase in flu vaccination as cases rise

The NHS has reported nearly a million more flu vaccinations administered this autumn compared to last year, providing essential protection ahead of winter. Local pharmacies and GP practices are facilitating vaccinations, with appointments available for the public. More information is available here.

AI Ambassador Network meeting: AI in Primary Care

The AI Ambassador Network is hosting a meeting focused on the developments and challenges of AI in Primary Care. Key speakers will discuss regulatory updates and practical applications of AI. To register, learn more about the AI Ambassador Network.

Get involved

Health Insight Survey – one year on

A webinar will be hosted by the Office for National Statistics to mark the one-year anniversary of the Health Insight Survey. This survey provides patients the opportunity to share their experiences with NHS services. More information can be found here.

Tobacco dependency treatment pathways for Stoptober

The impact of tobacco addiction on health and its role in health inequalities is highlighted for Stoptober. A course on tobacco dependency treatment pathways is available on the NHS Learning Hub.

Freedom to Speak Up national policy

Healthcare leaders are encouraged to explore resources that support effective speaking up arrangements during Speak Up month. More information can be found here.

Black History Month: free e-learning courses

Healthcare professionals can access two free e-learning modules focused on specific healthcare issues affecting the Black community. These include courses on 'Diagnosing breast cancer in Black women' and a comprehensive module on sickle cell disorder. Registration is available on the NHS Learning Hub.

Cyber Awareness Month

October is Cyber Awareness Month, emphasising the importance of cybersecurity in healthcare. Resources and tips for maintaining secure digital practices can be found here.

Primary Care Cybersecurity Webinar

A series of webinars on cybersecurity for primary care organisations will be delivered in collaboration with the City of London Police. For upcoming webinar details, visit this link.

Upcoming webinars and events

Healthcare professionals are invited to attend various upcoming webinars including:

• 23 October: Primary Care Cybersecurity Webinar

• 21 October: Preparing for Winter in General Practice

• 4 November: A Fireside Chat with Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England

• 5 November: Antimicrobial Stewardship for Nurses Across the Continuum of Care

• 5 November: Health Insight Survey: an introduction

• 6 November: General Practice webinar

• 11 November: National Infection and Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data symposium 2025

• 12 November: NHS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) improvement plan: two year review

• 19 November: GIRFT webinar: Introducing the GIRFT chronic pain workstream

Catch up

Missed a recent national webinar? View slides and recordings from the 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. Click here for the original email.