26 February 2025
Bulletin
Coding update ahead of spring; CQRS extractions; Changes to maternity self-referrals.

Welcome to this week's primary care bulletin

Key points this week include:
  • Coding updates for housebound patients ahead of the COVID Spring 2025 campaign
  • Important information regarding CQRS extractions for maternal pertussis and RSV vaccination programmes
  • Temporary changes to maternity self-referrals at St Mary’s Hospital and Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital.
Webinars and training, including:
  • Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Paediatric Musculoskeletal study day 
  • 20th annual Oxford Vaccination Group immunisation seminar
  • Extreme heat and public health masterclass
  • Newly diagnosed Parkinson’s information session
  • North West London Training Hub newsletter.

If you have any submissions for this bulletin please email them to the communications inbox - nhsnwl.communications.nwl@nhs.net. View previous editions.
Housebound patient coding for COVID spring 2025 campaign

Practices are reminded to review and update the coding of housebound patients ahead of the COVID Spring 2025 vaccination campaign. The accurate recording of housebound status is essential for planning and ensuring eligible patients receive vaccinations.

Key SNOMED codes for housebound patients:
  • Housebound: 138079003, 160689007, 759321000000109
  • Temporarily housebound: 276041000000103, 428415003, 276061000000102
  • Bed-ridden: 160685001.
For patients who are no longer housebound, update records with:
  • No longer housebound: 760671000000104, 760661000000106.
For any queries, contact NHS North West London Immunisation and Vaccination Team nhsnwl.immunisations@nhs.net
CQRS extractions for maternal pertussis and RSV vaccination programmes

Following an investigation into data extraction issues related to maternal pertussis and RSV vaccination programmes, practices are advised to check and confirm their patient records before submitting claims via CQRS.

Actions required:
  • Verify September 2024 and October 2024 Pertussis achievement data against patient records
  • Tick the Non-GMS Flag or update system coding appropriately
  • Confirm that RSV Pregnant Women claims (September-December 2024) are correctly recorded.
Additional checks will now be conducted for high-volume claims (five or more vaccinations) for the following programmes:
  • HepB At-Risk Babies
  • HPV Programme
  • MenACWY Programme
  • Pertussis Programme
  • RSV Pregnant Women Programme.
Practices are encouraged to add declaration notes when submitting claims to avoid delays. Further information can be found here and here. Queries can be directed to england.londonimms@nhs.net
Changes to maternity self-referrals

Temporary restrictions on maternity self-referrals have been introduced at St Mary’s Hospital and Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, effective 18 February 2025.

Key changes include:
  • Self-referrals are now limited to individuals residing in NHS North West London or NHS North Central London
  • Late self-referrals (30 weeks or more) from other maternity units will no longer be accepted unless the patient has recently moved into the area
  • GP and maternity unit referrals will continue to be accepted for cases requiring complex pregnancy care.
The changes aim to ensure safe, high-quality care amid significant increases in demand, particularly from outside the sector. Further updates will be provided as longer-term solutions are explored. For full details, visit: Changes to maternity self-referrals

Education and training
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Paediatric Musculoskeletal study day 

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital is a leading world class centre for treating children with musculoskeletal disorders.  

The hospital is holding a holding study day on various topics, including juvenile Idiopathic arthritis and hypermobility spectrum disorder.

The study day place on Monday 30 June 2025, 8.30 - 5pm. It is an in-person event at Charles Lack Theatre, Education Centre, Royal National Orthopoedic Hospital, Stanmore, London.

Please note there is a cost attached to attending.

Find out all the topics covered and how to register.
20th annual Oxford Vaccination Group immunisation seminar

This day seminar provides an ideal opportunity for practitioners to update their current immunisation knowledge and learn the latest news on the topic of vaccination. 

The event takes place on Thursday 13 March 2025, 9 - 4pm.

Please note the event takes place in Oxford. See the full programme, address and registration details on their website.
Extreme heat and public health masterclass 

A virtual masterclass on heat-health is scheduled for 20 March 2025, 14:00-16:00. This session is designed for public health practitioners with a basic to intermediate understanding of heat-related health impacts. It will provide an in-depth review of key evidence and practical applications for professionals working in local government, the NHS, and other relevant sectors.

The Faculty of Public Health has waived fees for non-members due to the interdisciplinary nature of the topic.

Sign up here: Extreme heat and public health masterclass 
Newly diagnosed Parkinson’s information session

Those who have been recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s, as well as their families, are invited to join information sessions at Charing Cross Hospital. Attendees will hear from different members of our Parkinson’s team and have their questions answered.

We ask GPs to put up the attached poster, which contains a QR code linking to the organiser's webpage. It is updated as new sessions are announced. The next session is on Wednesday 21 May 2025, 1.30 - 4.30pm.
North West London Training Hub newsletter

The North West London Training Hub Newsletter keeps those working in primary care updated with the latest training offers from the North West London Training Hub. 

Read the issue and previous issues, or sign up to receive via email.