26 November 2025
Bulletin
Shingles toolkit; Cancer update; Education and training; and more.

Welcome to this week's primary care bulletin

Key points this week include:
  • shingles toolkit
  • Stand Up To Cancer campaign 
  • cervical screening sample takers audit - requested by Cervical Screening London.
Education and training:
  • asthma in children and young people one-day course
  • primary care digital systems training team schedule
  • celebrating Care Leavers' Month event
  • Beyond Survival: What Every GP Needs to Know About Post-ICU Care webinar.

If you have any submissions for this bulletin please email them to the communications inbox - nhsnwl.communications.nwl@nhs.net. View previous editions.


Please note the deadline for submissions is 3pm each Monday.
Shingles toolkit

Unfortunately, there has been a decline in the uptake of the shingles vaccination programme. The shingles programme provides individual protection to vulnerable older people so it is important to ensure your eligible patients are aware of the benefits of the shingles vaccine and that appointments are available to them. We would be grateful if you could ensure that your practice calls and recalls eligible patients. During flu season, it is important to opportunistically offer this programme as patients are likely to be in surgery for other reasons

The toolkit contains useful information and advice to maximise uptake. Please share with colleagues.

Please contact the NHS England London Immunisations Team with any queries.
Stand Up To Cancer campaign 

Stand Up To Cancer 2025 will take place on 5 - 12 December 2025, with Cancer Research UK joining forces with Channel 4 for a week-long awareness campaign to raise funds and encourage people to attend screening.

A simple online screening checker has been developed by the campaign organisers and will be launched 5 December 2025. It is designed to help people quickly see what screening programmes they may be eligible for. A live broadcast is planned for the evening of 12 December 2025.

We would like to inform all screening service providers about the campaign as there may be an increase in call volumes and screening activity over this period and the following weeks.
Cervical screening sample takers audit - requested by Cervical Screening London

Please complete the questionnaire by 1 December 2025, as requested by Cervical Screening London. This is an annual ask and is vital to provide assurance to participants in the London region in the Cervical Screening Programme that samples will be taken to a high standard by trained and competent sample takers. 

Please send your completed questionnaire back to hsl.csl.cstd@nhs.net.

Education and training
Asthma in children and young people one-day course

There NHS England tier 3 face-to-face course aimed at health professionals responsible for the diagnosis, assessment and prescribing of asthma care for children and young people 

This course also includes enhanced service inhaler technique training,

Attendance of inhaler technique compliance training is required in order to achieve the training KPI in your respiratory specification this year (and therefore receive associated payment).

Training dates depend on the borough. Book now via MedTribe.
Primary care digital systems training team schedule

Training sessions are available for December 2025, as well January and February 2026. There are sessions on a number of topics including the NHS App. Find out more in the PDF. To book on to these courses, please visit the North West London Learning Hub.
Celebrating Care Leavers' Month event

The North West London Health and Social Care Skills Academy and Dynamic Training have partnered to organise sessions to explore how health and care providers can better support care‑experienced individuals into employment.

An event entitled Practical Strategies for Maximising Care Leaver Success  takes place on Thursday 27 November 2025, 11am – 12pm. The poster (PDF) contains booking details.
Beyond Survival: What Every GP Needs to Know About Post-ICU Care webinar

Learn how to identify, manage, and support patients living with the hidden consequences of critical illness.

Why should GPs care about post-ICU recovery.

Surviving intensive care, especially after emergency or prolonged stays (>48–72 hours), often leads to lasting physical and psychological challenges, reducing quality of life. Nearly 1 in 4 patients are re-admitted within 90 days.
  • you’re the first point of contact after discharge - some ICU survivors may return home without structured follow-up. GPs often become the default support system for complex physical, psychological, and cognitive issues that can persist for months or years.
  • hidden burden in primary care - post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) prevalence: Over 50% of ICU survivors experience lasting problems, physical weakness, PTSD, depression, memory issues. These patients often present with vague symptoms: fatigue, anxiety, poor sleep, breathlessness, which can lead to repeated consultations and investigations
  • early recognition = better outcomes - identifying delirium-related cognitive decline, tracheostomy complications, or mental health sequelae early can prevent crises and reduce hospital readmissions. Simple screening tools and referral pathways can make a huge difference
  • practical takeaways for GPs - how to spot PICS in a 10-minute consultation. Which symptoms need urgent escalation vs community support. Evidence-based interventions: ICU diaries, psychological screening, rehab referrals
  • improve continuity of care - patients and families often feel abandoned post-discharge. GPs can bridge the gap, improving patient satisfaction and reducing system strain.
The webinar takes place on Tuesday 2 December 2025, 1 - 2pm. Please email Katarina Durisova to sign up.