368 NHS Primary Care Bulletin - 4 December 2025

Introduction

This article summarises the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin for 4 December 2025, the weekly email update for teams in general practice, dentistry, community pharmacy, and optometry.

Main themes of the week

The latest bulletin addresses important updates including the winter and flu response, a national patient safety alert regarding penicillin allergies, the annual eDEC for General Practice, and various initiatives across primary care to enhance patient care. The focus remains on ensuring adequate flu vaccination and improving systems in primary, secondary, and community care settings.

Primary care

Winter and flu response

Flu-related hospital admissions are rising, particularly in the northern and midlands regions, and are expected to increase over the next one to two weeks. Primary care teams are thanked for their ongoing efforts in promoting flu vaccinations. Pharmacies are encouraged to update their service details on NHS Profile Manager to enhance accessibility. Flu vaccines are still available, with ordering options from Sanofi and Seqirus provided in the bulletin.

National patient safety alert - penicillin allergy recording

A National Patient Safety Alert has been issued regarding the incorrect recording of patients' penicillin allergies as penicillamine allergies in electronic systems. This miscommunication poses a serious risk of prescribing penicillin-based antibiotics to allergic patients. Health organisations are urged to establish working groups to address record inaccuracies and collaborate with digital system suppliers, with a completion deadline of 12 months. For more details, read the safety alert.

Free supply prescriber endorsement for tuberculosis treatment

From 1 December 2025, the Free Supply ('FS') prescriber endorsement has been expanded to include medications for tuberculosis, facilitating their free provision in community pharmacies. This change aims to enhance public health efforts by ensuring patients receive necessary TB and STI medications without cost. Learn more about the updated regulations and guidance.

Make Every Contact Count (MECC) webinar

A webinar titled Make Every Contact Count (MECC) is scheduled for 16 December, focusing on local health teams applying MECC principles to rebuild trust and address inequalities concerning vaccination and screening initiatives. This session is intended for health commissioners and providers.

Social prescribing for young people's mental health

The National Academy for Social Prescribing is hosting a free online event on social prescribing and neighbourhood health on 16 December. This event will discuss integration of social prescribing into community health systems. Additionally, a new resource has been published detailing social prescribing projects aimed at children's mental health, accessible through this link.

HIV treatment reconnection scheme

The Government has announced a new HIV Action Plan for England, 2025 to 2030 designed to enhance testing and treatment access for thousands. A £5 million pilot will allow home HIV testing kits ordered via the NHS App, providing a private method for at-risk individuals to obtain testing.

General practice

General Practice annual eDEC and online consultation compliance

Gratitude is extended to GP practices who submitted their annual electronic declaration (eDEC). The information collected will be used for contract reviews. It is reported that 98.7% of GP practices have online consultation tools activated during core hours, supporting rising demand, with 8 million online requests made in October alone. The latest survey shows an increase in patient contacts with practices, now at 42.8%.

Peer ambassadors supporting transformation

Over 100 frontline leaders in general practice are designated as Peer Ambassadors to assist practices in implementing modern general practice. These ambassadors share evidence-based improvements and challenges faced by their colleagues. For support inquiries, practices are encouraged to contact their ICB or email england.engagepcti@nhs.net.

Learning sessions on the People Promise in general practice

Upcoming learning sessions will focus on promoting the NHS People Promise in general practice, covering themes designed to foster positive workplace cultures. Sessions are scheduled for:

• 10 December 2025 – Management and Leadership Development in General Practice

• 14 January 2026 – General Practice Staff Survey Learning Session

• 22 January 2026 – GP Developing Case Studies Session

Dentistry

Urgent dental care incentive scheme

NHS England has extended the urgent dental care incentive scheme sign-up deadline to 19 December, while lifting the cap on incentive payments. The scheme is designed to incentivise additional unscheduled urgent dental care appointments, running until 31 March 2026.

Community pharmacy

Consultation on enabling pharmacist flexibilities

A consultation is underway to gather opinions on proposals aimed at enabling greater flexibilities for pharmacists during the dispensing of medications. Contributors are requested to provide their feedback before the deadline of 11.59 PM on 11 December through this link.

Podcast on NHS pharmacy services in North East and Yorkshire

The latest episode of the Transforming Primary Care podcast features discussion on the expansion of NHS community pharmacy services. This aligns with the ongoing Pharmacy First national campaign focused on seamless care delivery events.

Get involved

Improving communication between services and patients

NHS England is seeking input from general practice staff regarding enhancing patient access to reasonable adjustment information through the NHS App. Those interested in participating in remote discussions can fill out this form. Additionally, staff are invited to complete a short survey regarding inclusive communication practices by 18 December here.

Registration for NHS Genomics Healthcare Summit

The NHS Genomics Healthcare Summit will take place on 15 and 16 December in London, welcoming primary care practitioners. Registration is available online.

NHS ConfedExpo 2026

Registration is now open for the NHS ConfedExpo 2026. Primary care organisations are encouraged to submit proposals on innovative practices that align with the 10 Year Health Plan. The submission portal is open until 23 January 2026. Further details can be found here.

AI Ambassador Network meeting

The AI Ambassador Network is convening on 7 January 2026, focusing on AI benefits in healthcare. Participants can register through this link.

Upcoming webinars and events

• 10 December 12-1 PM: Delivering the People Promise in General Practice Webinar: Management and Leadership Development

• 16 December 1-3 PM: Make Every Contact Count (MECC) webinar

• 14 January 12-1 PM: Delivering the People Promise in General Practice Webinar: General Practice Staff Survey Learning Session

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.

For the original bulletin, click here.