367: NHS Primary Care Bulletin - 27 November 2025

This article summarises the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin for 27 November 2025, the weekly email update for teams in general practice, dentistry, community pharmacy, and optometry.

This week's bulletin highlights new initiatives aimed at enhancing service delivery across all primary care sectors, with a focus on improving patient access and care opportunities. Key updates include the publication of cloud-based telephony data and an extension of the urgent dental care incentive scheme.

Primary care initiatives

Leadership programme opportunities

All primary care staff, including those in general practice, community pharmacy, dentistry, and optometry, are encouraged to register their interest in the fully funded Mary Seacole e Rosalind Franklin (CMI) leadership programmes. A partially funded Elizabeth Garrett Anderson programme is also available. Due to limited availability, early registration is advisable with a deadline set for 11 January 2026.

Flu vaccination drive

As the flu season commences earlier this year, the NHS is ramping up accessibility to the flu vaccine during the festive period. Pharmacies are reminded to update their walk-in service details on NHS Profile Manager so patients can locate them easily. A variety of flu vaccines remain in stock, and pharmacies are encouraged to order promptly to accommodate all eligible patients. Specific ordering details are provided for both Sanofi and Seqirus vaccines.

Influenza virus trends and vaccine effectiveness

Recent data on flu vaccine effectiveness indicates strong protection against the early flu season, despite the presence of a new sub-strain. Analysis suggests that the nasal spray vaccine is particularly effective for children, reducing the severity of disease and helping to contain the spread of flu.

Publication of cloud-based telephony data

The introduction of cloud-based telephony (CBT) data at the GP practice level has been made available through the NHS England website. This new data will assist in understanding patient demand and ease of contact with GP practices, detailing call metrics such as volume and wait times.

Widened GP contract consultation process

The consultation process for the GP contract is expanding to include additional stakeholders such as the RCGP and Healthwatch England, aiming to gather broader feedback on proposals.

General practice staff survey

The General Practice Staff Survey seeks to collect feedback from staff to enhance their work experience. The survey will close on 28 November 2025.

Updated IV Therapy Passport e-learning

Il IV Therapy Passport e-learning programme is now updated and open to all registered health and social care professionals who administer intravenous medications. This program allows professionals to carry their digital competencies across organisations.

GIRFT input request for MSK services

Practice managers and PCN leads responsible for MSK First Contact Physiotherapy services are invited to participate in a brief questionnaire for insights into current service delivery and potential improvements. The survey is open until 1 December 2025.

National rollout of genetic testing programme

The NHS Retrospective Genetic Testing Programme is being implemented to invite patients, previously diagnosed with certain cancers, for genetic testing as described in the National Genomic Test Directory. The programme aims to systematically contact eligible individuals with testing invitations.

NHS App training webinar

A webinar on Notifications and Messaging in the NHS App is scheduled for 4 December, designed to help practice managers effectively communicate with patients via the app.

Opportunity for GPs as practice educators

The Adult Social Care Nurse Prescribing Pilot necessitates GPs to become practice educators for supervising and assessing nursing colleagues. Interested GPs should reach out to their Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). For inquiries, contact england.nursingleadership-development@nhs.net.

Extension of urgent dental care incentive scheme

Updates to the urgent dental care incentive scheme have been published by NHS England, including an extension of the sign-up deadline to 19 December 2025. The scheme aims to enhance the provision of unscheduled care, running until 31 March 2026. Ulteriori informazioni can be found in the latest updates letter.

Community Pharmacy Leaders Forum launched

The NHS Confederation has established a Community Pharmacy Leaders Forum to empower leaders in primary care to influence health policy and practice on a community level.

Registrazione al Vertice sulla Salute Genomica NHS

The upcoming NHS Genomics Healthcare Summit on 15-16 December 2025 invites primary care practitioners to engage in genomic health discussions. Interested individuals can register online.

Several webinars and events are scheduled over the next month, including:

• 2 December, 12-1pm: Health and Wellbeing in General Practice

• 4 December, 1-2pm: Primary care discussion on hypertension care in community pharmacy

• 10 December, 12-1pm: Sviluppo della gestione e della leadership nella medicina generale

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 further reading, please see the original email qui.