Contents
In this month's newsletter:
- 10-Year Health Plan launched
- Open consultation - NHS dentistry contract: quality and payment reforms
- Pharmacy First - General Practice Implementation & Referral Guide published
- NHS approves new IT system for GPs to help transform care
- Learning from Boots High Street – Enhancing Pharmacy Collaboration in Hypertension and Self-Care
- Supporting Young Carers
- Cervical screening non-responder reports
- RSV Vaccination Programme - National invitation campaign
- Heart Disease in Pregnancy – Upcoming Webinar
- Free Online Training to Support Early-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Care
- Transforming Conversations: Reshape Your Approach to Obesity within Type 2 Diabetes Care
- SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) and Seizure Safety Awareness Training
- Safeguarding Awareness Week Events: Adults and Homelessness
- Update to NICE TA878 recommendation for the treatment of COVID-19
- Iatrogenic botulism associated with cosmetic botulinum toxin injections
- Human rabies infection following animal exposure abroad
- Ceftriaxone-resistant N. gonorrhoeae: Increasing cases, including transmission associated with sex workers
- Sepsis: investigating under the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF)
News
10-Year Health Plan launched
The Government's 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future has been launched, setting out a bold, ambitious and necessary new course for the NHS.
The plan fundamentally reinvents the approach to healthcare to ensure the NHS will be there for all who need it for generations to come.
It has been shaped by the experiences and expectations of members of the public, patients, our partners and the health and care workforce across the country, reflecting the changes that people wanted to see.
Through the 'three shifts' – from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention – care will be personalised, more power given to patients, and the best of the NHS is available to all.
Primary care has a vital role to play in the plan, setting out how a Neighbourhood Health Service will transform access to general practice and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions. Key ambitions in this area include: restoring GP access through training more GPs and embedding AI technology; implementing a GP-led neighbourhood health service; and providing neighbourhood health centres in communities, which will bring pharmacies and dentists together alongside voluntary, charity and local government to provide high-quality care.
The plan also commits to transforming the NHS App to become the front door to the NHS, which will be used to organise care around patient needs, choices and schedules.
Read the plan on the Government's website.
To support the launch, the NHS Chief Executive has written an open letter to all NHS staff.
Open consultation - NHS dentistry contract: quality and payment reforms
The Department of Health and Social Care is consulting on proposed reforms to the NHS dental contract in England. The changes aim to improve care quality, increase access to urgent appointments by 700,000 annually, and support patients with complex needs. There's also a focus on encouraging more preventative care. Patients, professionals, and the public aged 16 and above are invited to share their views. The consultation closes at 11:59 PM on August 19, 2025. Find out more and take part here.
Pharmacy First - General Practice Implementation & Referral Guide published
In response to requests from general practice colleagues and those supporting practices NHS South Yorkshire has teamed up with colleagues at Community Pharmacy South Yorkshire (CPSY/the local pharmaceutical committee) to pull together a range of resources and information for general practice teams to maximise the opportunity that the nationally commissioned NHS Pharmacy First Service offers in terms of increasing access to appointments for minor illnesses.
The Guide is available online here under GP resources and contains practical advice on how to refer patients (including a referral guide for reception staff) as well as patient-facing comms resources.
If you would like further information about the service or support working with your local pharmacies, please contact: Claire Thomas Strategic Pharmacist Integration & Community Pharmacy email: claire.thomas47@nhs.net
NHS approves new IT system for GPs to help transform care
GP practices across England can now access new technology with the introduction of the first new core IT system for 25 years.
NHS England has approved the first of a new generation of electronic patient record systems for GP teams – with more suppliers expected to be made available later this year.
Medicus Health is now live in four practices serving more than 42,000 patients. Enabled through the Tech Innovation Framework, this marks a significant step in modernising digital systems and increasing supplier choice. Practices and ICBs now have more flexible options to choose systems that work for them.
To find out more or discuss early adoption, visit Tech Innovation Framework - NHS England Digital.
Learning from Boots High Street – Enhancing Pharmacy Collaboration in Hypertension and Self-Care
Claire Thomas (Strategic Pharmacist Integration & Community Pharmacy, SY ICB) and Joanne Lane (CEO, Community Pharmacy South Yorkshire) recently visited Boots Pharmacy, High Street Sheffield to learn about their innovative approach during May Measure Month. Find out more about their visit below.
The pharmacy team shared how they have restructured their workflow and skill mix to free up pharmacists’ time for delivering core NHS services such as the Hypertension Case-Finding Service, Pharmacy Contraception Service, and Pharmacy First. Their proactive model highlights what’s possible when roles across the team are used efficiently.
One standout takeaway was the team’s call for more patient referrals from general practice and other providers — they currently have capacity and are keen to see more patients through these commissioned services.
Additionally, the pharmacy’s approach to over-the-counter (OTC) medicines is both modern and engaging. A dedicated staff member is positioned on the shop floor to speak with people browsing the medicines section. This opens the door for self-care advice or escalation into Pharmacy First, where needed.
Key learnings
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Refer into pharmacy services more routinely, especially for hypertension case finding and minor ailments suitable for Pharmacy First.
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Build relationships with local pharmacy teams to understand their capacity and referral preferences.
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Encourage self-care where appropriate, knowing pharmacy colleagues are well placed to guide and support patients directly.
This model shows how collaboration between general practice and pharmacy can reduce pressure on GP appointments while improving patient access and outcomes.
Supporting Young Carers
Young carers often juggle significant responsibilities at home alongside school, friendships, and their own health needs. As general practice professionals, our role can be pivotal in recognising and supporting these young people. Effective communication is key.
Sheffield Young Carers have compiled simple, powerful guidance on how to speak with and support young carers. Their tips emphasise the importance of listening without assumptions, asking what’s needed, and respecting young carers as individuals with their own voices and experiences.
We encourage all colleagues to take a moment to read and reflect on their practical guide.
Even small changes in how we engage can make a meaningful difference.
Cervical screening non-responder reports
GP practices can now use the Cervical Screening Management System (CSMS) to identify non-responders eligible for cervical screening and contact them about attending for screening.
The non-responders report shows those who:
- have not responded to their most recent cervical screening invitation and are now more than six months overdue
- have been ceased due to age but were non-responders at the time of ceasing and are still under 65 years old and so remain eligible for their last screening test.
Details on the report and its operation can be found in the CSMS user guide. For support with CSMS please go to CSMS help.
RSV Vaccination Programme - National invitation campaign
From w/c 28 July 2025, NHS England will launch a national RSV invitation campaign. Invitations will be sent over 3 weeks, with email invitations being sent first, followed by NHS App and SMS invitations. Those without an NHS App read receipt in 24 hours, and those without an accepted SMS number will be sent a letter.
Invitations will be sent to individuals who have turned 75 years old ahead of the campaign, as well as individuals who were aged 75- 79 as of 1 September 2024. Invitations will not be sent to individuals who:
- have already been vaccinated
- have a future RSV booking on NBS
- have requested nationally to opt out of the RSV vaccination programme
- have never previously been registered with a GP.
- live in some areas in the East of England, Midlands and North West regions where community pharmacy providers have been commissioned to deliver RSV vaccines.
Also, invitations will not be sent to eligible pregnant women.
The invitation will include a call to action for eligible people to contact their GP to book an RSV vaccination appointment. The invitation will also highlight that the recipient is eligible for a free NHS pneumococcal and shingles vaccine and can contact their GP surgery if they have missed either vaccine.
GPCE have been informed of the invitation campaign and a communication has been issued via the primary care bulletin. We are asked to support the campaigns by ensuring that GP practices are informed of the timescales for the invitation campaigns and have sufficient capacity to meet the demand for appointments.
Heart Disease in Pregnancy – Upcoming Webinar
Cardiac conditions remain a leading cause of maternal mortality in the UK, yet managing heart disease in pregnancy continues to be a complex, multi-disciplinary challenge.
A free online webinar on Friday 3 October (13:00–16:15) offers general practice professionals the opportunity to deepen their understanding of this high-risk patient group. Hosted on MS Teams, the session will cover congenital heart disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and post-transplant care, with additional insights from a patient’s lived experience.
Whether you're involved in preconception counselling, antenatal care, or long-term follow-up, this session is designed to support safer, more informed practice across the care pathway.
Find out more here. Register for the webinar via Eventbrite.
Free Online Training to Support Early-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Care
Enhance your knowledge and confidence in supporting younger adults with type 2 diabetes. EDEN at the Leicester Diabetes Centre has launched a brand-new online course focused on the management of early-onset type 2 diabetes (ages 18–39). This free training is ideal for healthcare professionals across all disciplines who support patients living with type 2 diabetes.
The course explores the unique challenges and increased risks faced by younger adults with type 2 diabetes. It includes interactive modules on:
- Diagnosis and initial management
- Pre-conception and pregnancy care
- Cardio-renal-metabolic management
- Psychological well-being and tailored support
This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your expertise and improve outcomes for this growing patient group.
Register now: EDEN: Early Onset Type 2 Diabetes
Transforming Conversations: Reshape Your Approach to Obesity within Type 2 Diabetes Care
These evidence-based resources are designed to help healthcare professionals better understand the complex drivers of obesity. The focus is on promoting compassionate, patient-centred conversations and tackling stigma in clinical settings.
Explore resources and start using them today.
SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) and Seizure Safety Awareness Training
9 October 2025, 2.00pm – 3.30 pm
Join us for vital SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) and Seizure Safety Awareness Training, a 90-minute tailored session designed to equip clinicians with essential knowledge and practical tools to reduce epilepsy-related risks. Around 1 in 5 people with a learning disability or autism also live with epilepsy, a condition associated with significantly reduced life expectancy. This training, led by the award-winning SUDEP Action education team and commissioned by South Yorkshire ICB, shares critical learnings from epilepsy deaths and offers evidence-based solutions to support safer care and shared decision-making, including the use of a digital seizure safety check. Book your place here.
Safeguarding Awareness Week Events: Adults and Homelessness
Two upcoming events at the Niagara Conference Centre, Sheffield will support general practice teams in improving safeguarding responses for people experiencing homelessness.
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Workshop – Tuesday 30 September 2025 (09:30–13:00)
A half-day, practical session co-designed with professionals and those with lived experience. It will focus on the unique safeguarding challenges of homelessness and relevant statutory frameworks. -
Conference – Tuesday 25 November 2025 (09:30–16:00)
A full-day event featuring expert speakers including Professor Michael Preston-Shoot, Mike Ward (Alcohol Change UK), and Ellie Atkins. The conference will draw on national Safeguarding Adults Reviews and offer insight into frontline best practice.
To book your place at either event, please email: adult.protection.training@sheffield.gov.uk
Updates
Update to NICE TA878 recommendation for the treatment of COVID-19
NICE has withdrawn its recommendation, made in March 2024, which extended access to treatment of COVID-19 with Nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (Paxlovid) to a broader eligible population (people with diabetes, obesity or heart failure, or aged 70 years or over). Treatment eligibility has been reinstated to patients at the highest risk of serious illness, as defined in box 1 in Section 5 of TA878.
Patients who;
- do not need supplemental oxygen for COVID‑19
- have tested positive for COVID and are presenting within five days of the onset of symptoms and;
- meet the criteria within Section 5 of TA878 can be referred to the CMDU by emailing the attached form to this address pcs.cmdu@nhs.net.
Patients who are eligible for treatment can access free lateral flow tests from a number of pharmacies across SY. Follow this link to find a pharmacy that offers free lateral flow tests: Find a pharmacy that offers free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests - NHS
Please note: Paxlovid is a high-cost item. This may mean pharmacies may not routinely hold stock. We recommend a swift referral to the CMDU to facilitate the initiation of treatment within 5 days of symptom onset.
Iatrogenic botulism associated with cosmetic botulinum toxin injections
UKHSA has been notified of several individuals with iatrogenic botulism linked with cosmetic procedures across England, including one large outbreak in the Northeast. The purpose of this communication is to ensure healthcare professionals are aware of the ongoing cases, the national level investigation and its association with certain brands of botulinum toxin. Please see the attached briefing note.
Human rabies infection following animal exposure abroad
UKHSA is reminding healthcare professionals of the rabies risks from animals and the importance of prompt post-exposure treatment for those exposed to an animal overseas or a bat here in the UK. Please see the attached briefing note.
Ceftriaxone-resistant N. gonorrhoeae: Increasing cases, including transmission associated with sex workers
There has been a concerning increase in the number of cases of ceftriaxone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections reported in England. Whilst most are associated with travel, this year local transmission associated with sex workers has been detected in Leeds. See the attached briefing note.
Sepsis: investigating under the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF)
The Health Services Safety Investigations Body has recently published three reports on sepsis. The reports contain learning relevant to healthcare organisations and staff on how sepsis may be identified and defined when reporting patient safety events and investigating incidents where sepsis may be suspected.
