372 NHS Primary Care Bulletin - 15 January 2026

This article summarises the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin for 15 January 2026, the weekly email update for teams in general practice, dentistry, community pharmacy, and optometry.

This week's issue highlights key updates including the introduction of a poster supporting Jess’s Rule, guidance on the use of tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for weight management in primary care, and a reminder about the upcoming Pharmacy First promotions in February. Each section caters to the various primary care professions, ensuring comprehensive support and information dissemination.

General practice updates

Implementation of You and Your General Practice

Successful implementation of the You and Your General Practice initiative is appreciated among GP practices. Colleagues are reminded to display the shared link to the NHS England You and Your General Practice document prominently on their practice homepage, fulfilling contract requirements.

Jess’s Rule poster distribution

Next week, all GP practices will receive a poster titled "Jess’s Rule: Three Strikes and we Rethink". This initiative encourages healthcare teams to reconsider diagnoses if patients present with persistent or escalating symptoms that do not respond to existing treatment plans. The initiative is created in partnership with the Jessica Brady CEDAR Trust and NHS England.

Tirzepatide wraparound care guidelines

With the phased implementation of tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for weight management, primary care providers must offer structured wraparound care, involving both clinical and behavioural support. Practices are encouraged to refer patients to support services that complement clinical care to sustain health benefits effectively.

Patient safety maturity matrix guidance

NHS England has released a primary care patient safety maturity matrix, available on NHS Futures, to aid practices in understanding their position on the patient safety journey. This matrix also elucidates how to demonstrate ‘due regard’ to the primary care patient safety strategy.

Dentistry updates

Summary of dental contract reform

An overview of the upcoming changes to dental contracts scheduled for implementation in April 2026 is detailed in a special NHS Dentistry and Oral Health Update. It is essential for dental teams to be informed to effectively prepare for these adjustments.

Promotion of urgent dental care appointments

To assist Integrated Care Boards and dental practices in promoting additional urgent dental care appointments to patients, a range of communication materials is available on CommsLink and the dentistry sections of NHS Futures.

Community pharmacy updates

Reminder about 2025/26 Pharmacy Quality Scheme

Contractors in the 2025/26 Pharmacy Quality Scheme are reminded that they need to commence the Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Audit by 3 February 2026. Further guidance is available to assist with this requirement, and anonymised data should be submitted via the online data collection tool by 31 March 2026, accessible through the NHSBSA Manage your service portal.

Promotion of Pharmacy First

February will see the continuation of the Pharmacy First public campaigns under the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework 2025/26. This campaign includes various promotional activities aimed at informing the public about pharmacy services. Updated digital materials for promoting the campaign are available on the DHSC Campaign Resource Centre.

Independent Prescribing evaluation

The University of Manchester has published an evaluation of the Independent Prescribing in Community Pharmacy Pathfinder Programme, which allows community pharmacist prescribers to deploy innovative models in integrated primary care clinical services. You can read the evaluation online.

Primary care updates

Flu vaccination initiative

Healthcare professionals are urged to promote flu vaccinations as the virus remains prevalent. Communication materials are available, and ordering details for vaccines are maintained to ensure stock availability.

Registration for COVID-19 vaccination service

GPs and community pharmacy contractors can register to provide the 2026/27 COVID-19 vaccination service. Registration must be completed by 2 February 2026 to ensure timely vaccine delivery. GPs can sign up via CQRS, completing the data collection form, while pharmacy contractors should use the registration form.

Call for evidence on Accessible Information Standards

NHS England invites organisations to submit evidence supporting the implementation of the Accessible Information Standard, aimed at enhancing communication for individuals with disabilities or sensory loss. Evidence will contribute to discussions about potential mandates for the standard. The survey can be completed via MS Forms before 11 February 2026.

NHS App update webinar

An NHS App update session is scheduled for 11:30-12:30pm on 20 January, focusing on improvements, including GP appointment bookings. Registration is available on the NHS England events webpages.

Cybercrime case study webinar

A series of webinars for primary care organisations will be hosted by NHS England and City of London Police’s Cyber Griffin team, with the first session scheduled for 1-2.30pm on 10 February. Registration for the webinar can be done by 9 February via MS Teams.

AI Ambassador Network meeting

An interactive session on the evolution of the AI Ambassador Network is set for 10.30-12.00pm on 4 February 2026. This event invites new and existing members to engage and contribute insights into embedding safe and ethical AI in healthcare. To register, join the AI Ambassador Network.

Get involved

Health Information Week 2026

Health Information Week runs from 19-25 January, focusing on the importance of accessible health information across diverse themes. Resources for participation and the schedule are available at Health Information Week.

Social Prescribing Day

Mark your calendars for Social Prescribing Day on 26 March, an opportunity to highlight the role of link workers in promoting social prescribing. Further information can be found here.

NHS ConfedExpo 2026

NHS ConfedExpo will take place on 10-11 June 2026, inviting submissions from organisations to showcase innovative practices in primary care. Details on submissions and registration are available here and you can book your place.

Upcoming webinars and events

• 19-25 January, Health Information Week

• 20 January, NHS App: update webinar

• 22 January, GP Developing Case Studies Session

• 3 February, Infection Prevention & Resilience

• 4 February, AI Ambassador Network meeting

• 26 March, Social Prescribing Day

• 10-11 June, ConfedExpo

Catch up

Recently missed a national webinar? Access slides and recordings from past sessions at 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. View the original email.