Month: December 2024
Tier 2 Medicine Supply Notification (MSN) for: Prednisolone 20mg/100ml rectal solution / Estradiol (Estradot®) / Isosorbide mononitrate
The contents of these MSN can be viewed on the Medicines Supply Tool.
Briefing Note 2024/059 Update on mpox clade Ib in UK – December 2024
UKHSA has updated its mpox clade I risk assessment as well as its assessment of global scenarios following further review of the international evidence.
Increase in Clostridioides difficile in England
This note is to alert colleagues to the increase in C. difficile infection and remind colleagues of measures to reduce the incidences.
Letter from the Secretary of State
The funding uplift for general practice reflects the commitment to put general practice at the heart of the neighbourhood health service.
Pharmacy First GP referral pathway information
The webpage explains how the referral pathway works and how to implement it in primary care networks and practices.
Delay to pertussis CQRS extract for EMIS practices
The December CQRS extract for pertussis has been paused until a solution is available. This will result in delays to automated payments.
Take part in GP research to help improve appointment booking journey
GP surgeries that currently enable appointment booking via the NHS App are asked to participate in research to help understand GP workflows.
Updates to medical certificates of cause of death guidance
DHSC have updated their guidance for medical practitioners completing medical certificates of cause of death.
Winter COVID-19 vaccination campaign – vaccine supply survey
Please complete a short survey to identify improvements that can be made for future vaccination campaigns and enhance patient experience.
Winter wellbeing support for staff
For people that need someone to talk to, NHS England has introduced a confidential 24/7 text support service in addition to the support already available.
Serious Shortage Protocols for Estradot®
Please note that Serious Shortage Protocols have been issued tfor Estradot® 50 microgram, 75 microgram and 100 microgram patches, which are currently in short supply.
Prescribing Briefing – Vit B Complex Preparations
Please read the guidance on prescribing vitamin B complex.
Spring COVID-19 vaccination programme
The government has accepted Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice that the NHS should plan for a seasonal COVID-19 vaccination programme in spring 2025.
Winter vaccinations – the final push
Just over 20% of all eligible people have taken up the offer to be vaccinated, which is a position we collectively need to improve.
Barts Health and Homerton University Hospital Pathology opening hours
Pathology run a 24/7 service as usual, but will be providing a reduced service for non-urgent testing, as is usual over bank holidays and weekends.
Barts Health – CT scan appointments
Barts are utilising the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at Mile End Hospital to ensure more appointments are available for outpatients.
BHRUT – announce a new Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nurse
BHRUT have appointed Professor Andrew Deaner as their new Chief Medical Officer and Nic Kane as their Chief Nursing Officer.
Guidance for general practice on the coding and recording of the RSV monoclonal antibody immunisation product Palivizumab
Please note the information and guidance on coding and recording for your practice.
Update on physician associates and anaesthesia associates ahead of GMC regulation
The letter provides an update following the announcement of the independent review of the PA and AA professions.
Launch of the New NEL Training Hub Website
A one-stop destination for all things related to primary care workforce, education and development.
Be part of the North East London training hub multi-professional clinical leadership team (closes 20 December).
If you have leadership experience coupled with ideas to improve processes and outcomes for patients why not apply and help make a difference.
Participants for NCSP workshop – February 2025
The aim of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme is to reduce the health harm caused by untreated chlamydia infection.
How to keep SMS costs down in your GP Practice
Please download this SMS reduction advice for your practice.
Spring 2025 COVID-19 Seasonal Vaccination Programme
NHS England want to highlight the eligible cohorts and campaign dates, and encourage you to read the letter in full.
Implementation of Zero Tolerance Action to Samples Received in the Laboratory with an incorrect PIN or No PIN – 1 January 2025
This guidance applies to all NHS cervical screening stakeholders.
A Tier 2 Medicine Supply Notification for: Cefalexin 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml oral suspensions, sugar free
The contents of this MSN can be viewed on the Medicines Supply Tool.
Tier 2 Medicine Supply Notification for: Insulatard® (isophane insulin, human) Penfill® 100units/ml suspension for injection 3ml cartridges
The contents of this MSN can be viewed on the Medicines Supply Tool.
Help shape the new Equality, Diversity and Improvement (EDI) Plan for primary care
NHS England is inviting colleagues from primary care to share any final reflections of what they would wish to see in a new EDI Improvement Plan.
GPwSI Opportunity: Waltham Forest and Redbridge Women’s Health Hubs
This is an exciting opportunity for a GP to help deliver and shape the future of women’s health services within the NHS.
BHR – Phlebotomy service
The blood testing service in Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge have a dedicated phone line for people who are unable to book their blood appointments online.
Newham: ADHD referral form implementation (EMIS)
The ADHD Service has created a separate referral form to help stratify referrals in accordance with the need and complexity.
Lower Clapton General Practice are winners!
Congratulations to the Lower Clapton General Practice for winning the Hackney Design Awards 2024 People’s Choice category.
Survey for Primary Care HCPs on NHS Pathways
NHS England is inviting Primary Care healthcare professionals to share their insights on NHS Pathways, the clinical decision support system used in all 111 and some 999 telephony services
Specialist Advice Evaluation – We’d like to understand your experience of specialist advice
NHS England is looking to hear from a range of clinical and administrative staff in primary care who are involved in giving and receiving specialist advice.
Vaccine Update Issue – 352 – November 2024 ** Flu uptake **
The November issue of Vaccine update is now available.
Updated information for primary care – government restrictions on use of puberty suppressing hormones (puberty blockers)
This updated information is intended to support GPs and other primary care team members who may be asked to provide prescriptions for children and young people under 18.
An update on the previous Comms following Inquest of child death from an anaphylactic reaction
This notice has been re-issued due to some content inaccuracy, to ensure that the correct information is on record.
Bank holiday social media assets
Please download these assets with suggested wording to support messaging around repeat prescriptions and GP services.
UKHSA Health Protection Briefing Note 2024/058: Influenza virological surveillance arrangements, winter 2024/25
Please download and read the Influenza virological surveillance arrangements for winter 2024/25.
Importance of sharing medical records so Vaccine Damage Payment claims can be assessed
DHSC asks that healthcare providers respond to requests for medical records within 28 days.
Winter wellbeing support for staff
It’s important that colleagues working in primary care stay well this winter by ensuring they have access to a number of resources remains a key priority.
Flu season 2024/25 – authorisation of prescribing antivirals in primary care
While some areas continue to see low levels of influenza, indicators show that cases are increasing and the numbers are expected to increase further over the coming weeks.
Christmas, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day Opening Hours of Community Pharmacies commissioned to provide End of Life Care Medicines Service
We commissioned a number of community pharmacies to maintain a stock of commonly used EoL medications, to ensure access of end-of-life care medicines.
Serious Shortage Protocols for Cefalexin
Please note that a Serious Shortage Protocols have been issued today for Cefalexin 125mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free and 250mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free, which are currently in short supply.
ICB Webinar Primary Secondary Interface – “Red Tape” Review and Assessment Tool
The purpose of the review is to improve understanding of the issues for patients, providers and commissioners.
NHSE Controlled Drugs Newsletter – winter 2024 edition
Please read the latest edition of the Controlled drugs newsletter from NHS England London Region Controlled Drug Accountable Office (CDAO) team.
NELFT Long Covid Clinic- Changing organisation on e-RS
The BHR Long COVID Therapy team have been joined by Waltham Forest colleagues to provide a combined service.
BHRUT – Creatinine and eGFR results reported without SNOMED codes
Please note the recommendations that have been made in response to the Patient Safety Alert on the lack of standardisation of kidney function measurement.
City and Hackney – Power Up! is accepting referrals
Power Up! is once again accepting referrals for the 12-week healthy lifestyle intervention for children, young people and their families in City and Hackney.
Hackney – Community Paediatrics referrals
The Community Paediatrics service at Hackney Ark have raised that a number of referrals and enquiries have been sent to the incorrect email address.
Redbridge – Winter wellness event (21 December)
Please download and display the poster in your surgery.
Redbridge – Foster for Redbridge council
Please display the poster in your surgery.
Public deliberation findings on future of primary care services in London published
These views will be fed into the future policy design and service transformation for the region and into the national engagement exercise to co-develop a 10 Year Health Plan.
Advice for clinicians: Puberty Suppressing Hormones
Please download and read the guidance on how to support children and families who are seeking puberty blockers.
Medicine supply notification for coal tar extract (Neutrogena® T/Gel®) Therapeutic 2% shampoo
The contents of this MSN can be viewed on the Medicines Supply Tool.
Questionnaire – Online consultation and video consultation
Last few days to complete the questionnaire, your insight will direct influence the future of online and video consultation across NEL.
CQRS extractions for maternal pertussis, maternal RSV and maternal flu
The national teams continue to work on resolving the technical issue for Pertussis and RSV Pregnant Women vaccination data.
Update on physician associates and anaesthesia associates independent review
Please download and read letter in full.