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27 June 2024
The latest news and updates from NHS England for those working in Primary Care.
General practice
Introducing RSV vaccination programmes for those aged 75 and over and pregnant women
This week NHS England published a letter with the UKHSA outlining next steps for the delivery of two new RSV vaccination programmes that will be introduced from 1 September 2024 for older adults and during pregnancy for infant protection.
Both programmes will involve GP practices:
- Older adults: All adults aged 75 on or after 1 September 2024 will be eligible with a catch-up campaign for those already aged 75-79. Delivered via GP practices
- Pregnant women: All those that are at least 28 weeks pregnant will be eligible for the vaccine. Delivered alongside antenatal maternity settings and via GP practices (opportunistically or on request).
To help support the delivery of the new RSV vaccination programmes, two webinars for health professionals will be held on:
- 9 July 2024 (14:30 – 15:45): Maternal RSV programme for infant protection: introduction of a new immunisation programme. A webinar for health professionals. Register to join here
- 12 July 2024 (14:30 – 15:45): Adult RSV programme: introduction of a new immunisation programme. A webinar for health professionals. Register to join here.
Delivery Plan for Recovering Access to Primary Care: extensions for clinical system solutions
Contract arrangements for clinical system solutions that support digital tools are being extended beyond October. This will ensure that Delivery Plan for Recovering Access to Primary Care funding for digital tools is made available as a priority.
NHS England is asking ICBs to work with PCNs/practices and the national Commercial and Procurement Hub to ensure the necessary extensions are in place. Further details on the process will be made available soon. In the meantime, please direct any questions to: commercial.procurementhub@nhs.net.
Cervical Screening Management System (CSMS) now live
The Cervical Screening Management System is now live for all NHS Cervical Screening Programme call/recall activity. The Open Exeter system is no longer accessible for this purpose. As a result of the changes to the IT system, some patients may receive multiple invitation letters. Patients should be supported to make a cervical screening appointment, if they have not done so already, or if they have recently had their screening, be reassured that the additional letter is a result of the system change and can be ignored. For technical support with using or accessing CSMS, visit the CSAS website. Thank you for all your support in ensuring a smooth transition to CSMS.
Maternal pertussis vaccine change
The maternal pertussis vaccine is changing from Boostrix-IPV to ADACEL from 1 July 2024. NHS England is aware that notification to GP practices from Trusts delivering the vaccine may not capture the correct pertussis vaccine type. This is due to the templates used by maternity still being updated to enable the recording of the new vaccine, ADACEL. Practices may receive information that a Boostrix-IPV vaccine was given but there will also be a free text message to say that ADACEL was given instead. Please update the patient’s electronic records to reflect the free text message on the correct vaccine type given.
New medical certificates of cause of death (MCCDs) from 9 September 2024
GP practices are advised to ensure they receive new medical certificates of cause of death (MCCDs) from DHSC in July.
Reforms to death certification, including the statutory medical examiner system, will start on 9 September 2024. All medical practitioners must use the new MCCD from 9 September 2024. DHSC’s information explains how healthcare providers, including GP practices, will receive the new MCCD. Please can GP practices check they are on DHSC’s list, and if not, contact the DHSC email address.
Community pharmacy
Pharmacy technicians and patient group directions
Amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (HMR 2012) took effect this week (26 June) which will enable registered pharmacy technicians – a regulated profession for over 10 years – to legally supply and administer certain medicines under patient group directions (PGDs).
NHS England is developing processes to consider updating NHS advanced and nationally agreed enhanced clinical service specifications in light of the new legislation for the maximum benefit for patients. This does not prevent registered pharmacy technicians from delivering services via a PGD outside of nationally commissioned services, as long as requirements are met. For more information on PGD requirements and further resources, visit the SPS website.
Economic analysis of Community Pharmacy
As a part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) for 2022-24), a commitment was made by NHS England to “commission an economic analysis of NHS pharmaceutical services through an independent review, using data provided by contractors”, working with Community Pharmacy England and the Department of Health and Social Care. This work has started, and pharmacies will soon be contacted by the supplier (Frontier and IQVIA) to take part in a data collection exercise.
Market Exit work moving to Primary Care Support England (PCSE)
From 1 July 2024, PCSE will be responsible for administrating the processing of notices of withdrawal from a pharmaceutical list. Contractors should send these notices to PCSE.Marketentry@nhs.net. Any submissions before 1 July will still be dealt with by your local Integrated Care Board (ICB). Please continue to liaise directly with the ICB in relation to any notices submitted before 1 July 2024. PCSE’s website will be updated as of 1 July. Please visit their website for further details.
Dentistry
Amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012
Amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (HMR 2012) took effect this week (26 June), which will enable suitably trained and supported dental hygienists and dental therapists to supply and administer specified medicines (such as certain local anaesthetics and fluoride varnish) without requiring a Patient Group Direction or a Patient Specific Direction from a dentist. It should be noted that this is not an amendment that allows independent prescribing.
NHS England will issue further guidance for contractors shortly, which will include information about training for those wishing to work under the exemptions. Dental hygienists and dental therapists and their employer or sub-contractor will need to ensure they have adequate indemnity arrangements in place to cover the use of exemptions for their practice.
Primary care
Sign-up process for the autumn/winter 24/25 COVID-19 vaccination service
All primary care providers that wish to deliver the COVID-19 Vaccination Service from their healthcare premises from 1 September 2024 must sign up to do so by completing an online form on the NHSBSA webpage by 23:59 on 27 June 2024. Potential providers should read the Contractual Agreements and Site Sign-up Process Guidance, which outline the process and deadlines, before submitting a response. Providers who submit an expression of interest after 27 June 2024 can be considered for inclusion in the next Covid vaccination campaign (likely to be Spring 2025).
Get involved
Webinar invite: Volunteer support to help deliver healthcare priorities
Do you want to learn how volunteers can support you in delivering healthcare priorities? The NHS and Care Volunteer Responders programme is free to use. It provides healthcare providers with readily available, appropriately checked volunteers. Services include transporting medicine and equipment from NHS sites to people at home, friendly phone calls, help with collecting and delivering shopping and prescriptions, and much more. Sign up for the webinar to find out more.
Upcoming webinars and events
- 2 July, 1–2pm: Primary Care Discussions: Population Health in Practice
- 3 July, 12–1.30pm: Dementia Policy team webinar on ‘The Role of Integrated Working and Primary Care’. Highlights include updates on dementia care initiatives.
- 11 July, 1-2pm: Improving Health Outcomes in Health and Justice
Catch up
Missed a recent national webinar? View slides and recordings below:
