29 January 2025
Bulletin
Vaccination news; Updates to the Green Book; and more.

Welcome to this week's primary care bulletin

Key points this week include:
  • End of Autumn/Winter 2024 COVID-19 campaign and vaccination offer during the inter-seasonal period after 31 January 2025
  • Childhood flu vaccination programme including school-age children
  • Update to the Green Book chapter 29: Smallpox and Mpox
  • Vaccine derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) detected
  • Standardising postnatal guidance from NHS maternity services for mother’s care
  • NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP) - change of threshold target
  • Changes to the professional section of the NHS North West London website
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation poster.
Webinars and training, including:
  • Calling chronic pain management practice pharmacists and PCN staff 
  • Rethinking pain management: A Practical guide to opioids in chronic non-cancer pain
  • ICHP masterclass - fiendish cases - learning from real life polypharmacy - medicines optimisation case-based
  • National lipid management webinar - statins and beyond
  • Training and development opportunity for GP practice administrative and reception.
     

If you have any submissions for this bulletin please email them to the communications inbox - nhsnwl.communications.nwl@nhs.net To view any previous editions click here
End of Autumn/Winter 2024 COVID-19 campaign and vaccination offer during the inter-seasonal period after 31 January 2025

COVID-19 Vaccination Update – Autumn/Winter 2024 Campaign

People aged 6 months and over who have a health condition or are receiving treatment that severely weakens their immune system may be considered for a COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of the time of year. Clinical judgement will determine whether they are recommended for a dose of COVID-19 vaccine outside of a seasonal campaign and as per recommendation in the Green Book.

In north west London, access for these eligible residents will be available from two sites. Please see pathway/referral details below.

CP House in Ealing
  • Please see attached immunosuppressed patient booking pathway and referral form that north west London GPs and treating physicians will need to complete and email to c19.roving@nhs.net
  • COVID-19 vaccination for the eligible individual will take place at CP House in Ealing (97-107 Uxbridge Road, Ealing, W5 5TL) and appointments will be managed and scheduled by the roving team upon receiving the referral form.

Park Royal Medical Practice in Brent
  • The GP or a referring clinician can send the patient details (including name, NHS number, date of birth, and reason for the vaccine) to harness.enhancedaccess@nhs.net or call on The Single Point of Access (SPA) number : 020 8194 7355.
  • Upon receiving the referral, it will be triage and an appropriate appointment will be scheduled.
  • The site team will also acknowledge the referral email and provide any necessary updates. After administering the vaccine, vaccination details will be entered in Outcomes for Health and the referring GP or clinician will be informed.
Childhood flu vaccination programme including school-age children

Flu is circulating at relatively high levels currently and local data is showing that a significant proportion of the hospital admissions are in children and young people.

Therefore we would greatly appreciate your support in ensuring that:
  • All children in the 2 and 3 year old cohort - so any child aged 2 or 3 on the 31 August 2024 (which includes those who may have turned 4 since then) have received their offer of the flu vaccine this winter, and
  • Any unvaccinated school-age children (Reception to Year 11) who present at your practice are signposted to the appropriate service below to receive the flu vaccine.
    Any child aged 6 months to under 18 years in clinical risk groups (as defined in the Green Book, chapter 19 (influenza) can receive the vaccine at your surgery.
There is plenty of stock still available to order via Immform including the IM alternative for those parents who do not want their children to receive the nasal spray (LAIV) and the child flu vaccine (LAIV) can be offered at the same time as other routine childhood immunisations.

Details of the school aged catch-up clinics for all north west London boroughs here.

The contact details for the Children and  Young People Community Immunisation Service (CYPCIS) providers who are running the catch-up clinics for each London borough can be found here.
Vaccine derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) detected

The virus has been detected in five countries in Europe: Spain, Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom (UK) and Finland.

A national standard incident has been declared by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and an Incident Management Team established to coordinate the investigation and response. Leeds, London and West Sussex UKHSA public health colleagues have been alerted and are liaising with the NHS and other partners to optimise efforts to catch-up under-vaccinated communities.

Find out more attached, including important reminders for GPs.
Update to the Green Book chapter 29: Smallpox and Mpox

There has been an update to the epidemiology following Clade I cases in UK and clarification of advice in the event of a failed intradermal administration. Read chapter 29 here.
Standardising postnatal guidance from NHS maternity services for mother’s care

The attached guidance aims to support maternity unit professionals to provide timely transfer of care/ or transfer home that follows evidence-based recommendations, which is specific to the woman, birthing people, and health professionals including community midwives, health visitors and GPs involved in the ongoing care in the community.

By following the guidance and working together, we can be efficient and effective in reducing variation in the postnatal period, support consistent advice and a life-course approach to the health of our local population.
NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP) - change of threshold target

The NHS North West London Primary Care Executive Group met in December 2024 and agreed that the NDPP threshold target in the diabetes enhanced services specification would be reduced to 3.5% (50% achievement) and 5.5% (100% achievement) for the remainder of 2024/25 based on the outcome of a review of performance against this metric (YTD). This will allow at least 95% of PCNs to achieve the 3.5% target this year.
Changes to the professional section of the NHS North West London website

The NHS North West London professionals section has been redesigned so pages are accessed via a clickable A-Z list, which replaces the page list/block picture format. Furthermore, pages can no accessed through the top navigation toolbar.

Please click on the 'professionals' tab and select the relevant page on the A-Z list.

If you have any comments on the professionals website please email nhsnwl,communications.nwl@nhs.net
Pulmonary rehabilitation poster

Evidence shows that pulmonary rehabilitation helps patients walk further, feel less breathless, and manage daily activities with greater ease. 90% of patients completing pulmonary rehabilitation report improved quality of life, increased activity levels and better self-management. Pulmonary rehabilitation also supports reductions in exacerbations, emergency admissions, and primary care visits. Print our promotional poster and encourage your patients to ask about pulmonary rehabilitation today.

We also have a slide to display on your patient facing reception/waiting rooms screens.

Education and training
Calling chronic pain management practice pharmacists and PCN staff 

Managing chronic pain, particularly when discussing deprescribing, can be complex. Connect Health (north west london MSK partnership provider) are offering an opportunity to enhance your approach with evidence-based strategies designed to empower your patients in managing their pain more effectively. 

This tailored program for practice pharmacists and PCN staff will enable you to:
  • Develop a coaching approach to transform chronic pain management
  • Communicate modern pain concepts and promote non-medication strategies
  • Build confidence in patient engagement and health coaching skills. 
The course includes two interactive sessions on 11 and 25 March 2025, 1 - 4pm. A functioning camera and microphone are essential for participation. Your attendance at both sessions is essential to ensure a meaningful experience for all participants. 

If you would like to participate, please register for both sessions using the links below. 

Session 1 - 11 March 2025, 1 - 4pm 

Session 2 -  25 March 2025, 1 - 4pm 
Rethinking pain management: A practical guide to opioids in chronic non-cancer pain 

Join Dr Graham Dunthorne (Appraiser and Pain Physician, Connect Health) for an engaging webinar, 'rethinking pain management: A practical guide to opioids in chronic non-cancer pain', on Wednesday 12 March 2025, 12 – 1:30pm.

This interactive session covers a NICE update on chronic pain treatments, practical steps for reviewing high-risk prescriptions, strategies for positive patient consultations, and collaborative approaches to medicine tapering. 

You will have the opportunity to put forward any questions in a Q&A.  

Please click here to register for the session.   

Feel free to circulate this invite to other colleagues who may be interested.  

For further information and/or to get involved with the Chronic Pain in Primary Care & Opioid Harm Reduction Programme please contact catherine.caldwell@imperialcollegehealthpartners.com  
ICHP masterclass - fiendish cases - learning from real life polypharmacy - medicines optimisation case-based

On behalf of Dr Graham Stretch (PCPA President, Partner Argyle GP, Lead Pharmacist Ealing Community Partners) would like to invite you to attend our upcoming 'fiendish cases - learning from real life polypharmacy - medicines optimisation case-based discussion' webinar on Wednesday 12 February 2025, 12 - 2pm.

This masterclass will help you to address the complexities of polypharmacy. Learn how to navigate ethical and clinical challenges while applying structured approaches to deprescribing and medication reviews (SMRs). Explore practical solutions to managing complex cases, with real-world examples covering frailty, dysphagia, and high-risk medications. Through engaging discussions and case studies, you will explore tools and frameworks to refine your approach to polypharmacy whilst discussing best practices and resources for ongoing professional development in medicines optimisation. 

Please bring along any questions for discussion.    

Please click here to register for the session.  

Feel free to circulate this invite to other colleagues who may be interested. 

For further information and/or to get involved with the ICHP Polypharmacy Programme please contact Amar Singh.  
Training and development opportunity for GP practice administrative and reception 

We are pleased to offer an opportunity from Digital Transformation and Delivery Team in partnership with NAPC (National Association for Primary Care) in north west London for practices and PCNs to take part in a new and exciting Primary Care Training and Development Opportunity Supporting practice and administration staff. This builds on a pilot which commenced over the summer. 

What is the programme?

The four module programme will help staff to:
  • Establish a consistent approach to triage and request management for the most common requests across practices
  • Ensure you have the tools, skills and forum to maximise the use of digital tools to help improve access, patient and staff experience
  • Gain confidence in the use of digital tools to help you do your job more effectively
  • Feel better supported and empowered to navigate requests effectively, manage complexity and develop stronger personal and team resilience in challenging situations.
Who is this for?

We are looking for 2 - 3 admin and reception staff from a practice (including one person who is a decision maker in the practice and has authority to enact change (practice manager or clinician) and 2 - 3 practices across the PCN to take part in this programme which will be delivered via mixed sessions with other practices and PCNs across north west London to promote shared learning and networking. 

When does the programme start?

The next cohorts are due to commence on 5 and 25 February 2025.

Where can I find out more?

To find out more, please see the attached flyer which should be shared widely within your teams and book on to a briefing webinar on 29 January 2025.

Please email your expression of interest to join a briefing webinar, please fill out the commitment form and contact us at nhsnwl.digitalfirst@nhs.net
National lipid management webinar - statins and beyond

The National CVD Prevention Team at NHS England will be hosting this webinar on Wednesday 26 February 2025, 1 - 2pm. 

The webinar link and agenda will be shared closer to the time. Topics will include:
  • The importance of optimal lipid management in the context of CVD Prevention
  • National policy relating to lipid management
  • Levers and drivers to improve lipid management at GP practice, PCN and ICB level
  • Tools and resources to support frontline staff
  • Dispelling myths and misconceptions in lipid management.
This webinar will be chaired by Helen Williams, National Clinical Director for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at NHS England.

Registration for this event here. Please note registration will close at 10am on the day of the webinar. 

For queries, please contact england.clinicalpolicy@nhs.net with subject: National lipid management webinar - statins and beyond.