364 NHS Primary Care Bulletin - 6 November 2025

This article summarises the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin for 6 November 2025, the weekly email update for teams in general practice, dentistry, community pharmacy, and optometry.

This week, the bulletin highlights several important themes impacting primary care. Registration has opened for the Inclusive Pharmacy Practice Week 2025. There are also updates regarding the changes to the childhood immunisation schedule and a reminder about flu vaccinations for the season.

Community pharmacy updates

Ask Your Pharmacist Week

This week is dedicated to Ask Your Pharmacist Week, organised by the National Pharmacy Association, with a focus on the theme 'NHS Services Close to Home'. Practitioners are encouraged to engage on social media using the hashtag #AskYourPharmacist.

Promote the Pharmacy First campaign

Community pharmacy contractors are reminded to engage in two national and two local health campaigns under the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) 2025/26. The Pharmacy First campaign must be actively promoted until 9 November 2025. Resources can be found on the DHSC Campaign Resource Centre.

Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework update: webinar

NHS England has announced a webinar scheduled for 18 November from 7 to 8 pm, aimed at providing updates on the progress of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework: 2025 - 2026. Topics will include the Pharmacy Contraception Service and New Medicine Service expansions. All pharmacy colleagues are welcomed to join this informative session, with places available to book via the NHS England website.

Registration open for Inclusive Pharmacy Practice Week 2025

From 24-27 November, pharmacy professionals and teams are invited to participate in free online workshops, which aim to foster diverse leadership in pharmacy and improve patient experiences. Registration is available through the CPPE website.

GPhC consultation on training standards

The General Pharmaceutical Council's (GPhC) consultation on standards for the initial education and training of pharmacy technicians (IETPT) remains open until 24 December 2025. This initiative seeks feedback on proposed standards affecting the education and initial training of pharmacy technicians. More details can be accessed on the GPhC’s website.

General practice updates

Appreciation for practice teams

NHS England expresses gratitude to practice teams for their efforts in implementing recent contract changes. Many practices have successfully provided online access, showing improvements in service accessibility, as indicated by a rise from 60% to 70% in adults finding it easy to contact their practice, according to ONS’ Health Insight Survey.

Phase 2 of childhood immunisation schedule changes

A letter from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England outlines the Phase 2 changes to the National Child Immunisation Schedule, which introduces a routine varicella vaccination programme for children at one year and 18 months, as well as a catch-up for children aged three years and four months up to under six years.

SNOMED codes for MMRV vaccinations

Starting from 1 January 2026, practices are required to use specific codes for recording MMRV vaccinations, detailed as follows:

• Procedure codes:

  • 432636005 - Administration of vaccine containing Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella antigens.

  • 433733003 - Administration of second dose of the aforementioned vaccine.

• Product codes:

  • 45480711000001107 - ProQuad vaccine (Merck Sharp & Dohme (UK) Ltd).

  • 45525711000001102 - Priorix Tetra vaccine (GlaxoSmithKline UK Ltd).

Practices should communicate this to their GPIT system suppliers.

Access to inclisiran (Leqvio)

NHS England has renegotiated terms with Novartis to ensure ongoing access to inclisiran, an injectable cholesterol-lowering treatment, effective from April 2025. GPs will receive a reimbursement increase to £60 per patient. The treatment will remain available to existing and new NHS patients until December 2027. More information regarding lipid management and inclisiran access can be found on the NHS England website, including funding and supply arrangements.

Medical Certificate of Cause of Death supplies

Practices are reminded to assess their stocks of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and to reorder them early to ensure adequate supplies for the upcoming year. Guidance on the ordering process is available here.

Diabetic eye screening guidance

NHS England is reviewing information regarding the association between rapid improvements in diabetes control and worsening diabetic retinopathy. Current guidance states that no additional screening is necessary for patients showing rapid improvements. DES services should avoid scheduling extra appointments for these patients unless specifically requested.

Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

The Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, aimed at reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, is available in both digital and face-to-face formats. Contact your local service provider for referral information.

NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme

This programme offers eligible patients, via their GP, low-calorie dietary support for 12 weeks, with follow-up monitoring. Early results show significant remission rates, with participants losing on average nearly 16 kg. For referrals, email england.t2diabetesremission@nhs.net.

Clinical systems experience survey

The clinical systems experience survey is open until 16 November, designed to gather insights from staff using digital tools in general practice.

Primary care updates

Flu vaccination reminder

As of the current date, over 13.2 million people have been vaccinated against flu this season, partly due to the dedication of primary care teams. With rising flu cases, practitioners are encouraged to ensure ongoing access to vaccinations for all eligible cohorts, with communication materials available on the Campaign Resource Centre.

Update walk-in information for vaccinations

All sites providing walk-in vaccinations for COVID and flu are advised to ensure their information is current in profile manager, encouraging patient uptake of walk-in services. For assistance, email nhswebsite.servicedesk@nhs.net.

Nurturing compassionate and inclusive NHS culture course

Primary care teams can participate in the online course 'Nurturing Compassionate and Inclusive NHS Culture', which focuses on leadership and team wellbeing. This course is open to everyone interested in fostering positive working environments, with registration available here.

Podcast discussing menopause

The fourth series of the 'Transforming Primary Care' podcast addresses menopause, featuring discussions from medical professionals. This series follows discussions held on World Menopause Awareness Day last month.

Get involved

Registration for the 2025 NHS Genomics Healthcare Summit

The NHS Genomics Healthcare Summit will be held on 15 and 16 December in London, a vital event for those involved in genomics. Practitioners interested in genomics are encouraged to register online.

Survey on genomics in adult healthcare

Genomics England invites primary care professionals to provide input on the future use of genetic information in healthcare through a survey available until 30 November. Complete the survey to help shape future research and practices.

World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week

The upcoming AMR Awareness Week (18–24 November) stresses the importance of responsible antibiotic use. Practitioners are encouraged to join free expert-led webinars that will provide insights and strategies for combating antimicrobial resistance.

Upcoming webinars and events

• 7 Nov 12:30 - 1:30 pm: AMR in Focus: Empowering Health Professionals in the Fight Against AMR

• 11 November, 12:30 - 2 pm: National Infection and Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data symposium 2025

• 12 November, 10 am - 11:30 am: NHS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) improvement plan: two year review

• 12 Nov 12 - 1 pm: Delivering the People Promise in general practice webinar: Creating a Culture of Kindness: Culture, Civility & Respect

• 19 Nov 12 - 1 pm: Delivering the People Promise in general practice webinar: The People Promise and Customer Care

• 19 November, 12:30 - 1:30 pm: GIRFT webinar: Introducing the GIRFT chronic pain workstream

• 24 Nov 12:30 - 1:30 pm: Optimising the Blood Culture Pathway: Audit Insights and Regional Success Stories

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, you can access the link here.