Primary care bulletin - 21 January 2025

Tier 3 Medicine Supply Notification for co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets

Co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets will be in limited supply from early February until early June 2026.

paracetamol 500mg tablets remain available and can support a full uplift in demand
codeine 30mg tablets remain available and can support a partial uplift in demand
co-codamol 30mg/500mg capsules remain available and can support a partial uplift in demand from mid-April 2026
co-codamol 30mg/500mg effervescent tablets remain available but cannot support an uplift in demand
other strengths and forms of co-codamol remain available but cannot support an uplift in demand
co-dydramol 30mg/500mg and 20mg/500mg tablets remain available but cannot support an uplift in demand.

Find out more about the required actions in the notification.

Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon - extension

Because of ongoing supply issues, we are extending the Serious Shortage Protocols SSP060 (Creon 10000 capsules) and SSP061 (Creon 25000 capsules) which are due to end on Friday 16 January 2026

The new end date for SSP060 is Friday 30 January 2026.

The new end date for SSP061 is Friday 17 April 2026.

Find out more towards the bottom of the table on the relevant NHS Business Services Authority webpage.

Serious Shortage Protocols for SSP084 (Nifedipine (Adipine® XL) 30mg modified-release tablet), SSP085 (Nifedipine (Adipine® XL) 60mg modified-release tablet) and SSP086 (Latanoprost 50micrograms/ml / Timolol 5mg/ml (Fixapost®) eye drops

The Serious Shortage Protocols SSP084 (Nifedipine (Adipine® XL) 30mg modified-release tablet), SSP085 (Nifedipine (Adipine® XL) 60mg modified-release tablet) and SSP086 (Latanoprost 50micrograms/ml / Timolol 5mg/ml (Fixapost®) eye drops 0.2ml unit dose preservative free) are ending on Friday 23 January 2026.

The SSPs are available to view on the NHS Business Service Authority (BSA)’s dedicated SSP web page.

Find out more towards the bottom of the table on the relevant NHS Business Services Authority webpage.

Medicine supply notification for Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone®) 2mg/500microgram and 8mg/2mg sublingual tablets

The following information has been provided:

Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone®) 2mg/500microgram and 8mg/2mg sublingual tablets were discontinued on 5th January 2026
various strengths (0.7mg/0.18mg, 1.4mg/0.36mg, 5.7mg/1.4mg, 8.6mg/2.1mg, and 11.4mg/2.9mg) of short-dated buprenorphine/naloxone (Zubsolv®) sublingual tablets are available but future supply to the UK is to be confirmed
branded and generic buprenorphine sublingual tablets (2mg and 8mg) and buprenorphine oral lyophilisate 2mg and 8mg (Espranor®) remain available.

The Medicine Supply Notification (PDF) provided further details.

Consultation launched on the future of Mount Vernon Cancer Centre

NHS England has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to specialist cancer services at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC), running from 19 January to 29 March 2026. The review outlines plans to relocate MVCC to a new, purpose-built facility at Watford General Hospital, bringing specialist cancer care together on an acute hospital site, with modern facilities and access to supporting services that cannot be provided optimally at the current location.

Alongside the relocation, proposals include:

expanding chemotherapy, diagnostics and follow-up care closer to patients’ homes in local hospitals
offering more treatment at home where appropriate
considering an additional radiotherapy unit at either Lister Hospital (Stevenage) or Luton and Dunstable Hospital to improve access for those farther north.

The consultation is an opportunity for clinicians, patients and the wider community to share views on these proposals.

Full details, supporting documentation and ways to respond are available on the consultation website.

New Cervical Screening Digital First communications resources

New cervical screening Digital First communications posters are now available for use on digital screens or for printing. They are designed to support cervical screening providers in sharing information about digital-first communications. Download the materials from the RM Partners website.

RM Partner's Cancer GP Bulletin out now

The bulletin contains information on:

important updates on EUROPAC – the hereditary pancreatic cancer research registry. for information: All clinical staff
cancer education sessions – book your place now! This includes the Community Pharmacy Webinar for Oesophageal Cancer – open to practice‑based clinical pharmacists – Monday 26 January 2026, 8 - 9pm
for information: all clinical staff
“You Know Them Best” campaign for early diagnosis of childhood cancer
for information: All clinical staff
prostate cancer screening draft recommendation – UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) announcement
for information: all clinical staff
harm inflicted upon individuals exposed to Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
for information and action: All clinical staff
new cervical screening digital‑first communications resources
for information and action: All practice staff
free exercise opportunities for men with advanced prostate cancer
For information: All clinical staff.

Download the bulletin (PDF) now. You can also download the relevant PDF attachments, the letter from Peter Johnson, as well as the prostate screening programme Q&A.

Moorfields Paediatric Ophthalmology – advice and guidance service

The Moorfields Paediatric Ophthalmology Team now offers a dedicated advice and guidance service to support primary care clinicians in managing children’s non-urgent eye conditions and improving referral pathways.

A document (PDF) contains information about how to use the service. An infographic (PDF) has also been published for referrers.

Publication of General practice enhanced service specification and sign up process to the COVID-19 and adult influenza vaccination programmes: 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027

We have already written to you to advise that the general practice enhanced service specifications for the 2026/27 COVID-19 and influenza seasonalvaccination programmes have been published, along with a letter for providers which summarises the key changes to the enhanced service specifications – links to both documents are provided below.

Further to this communication, we have received few clarifying queries from GP practices. As such, please refer to the sign up guidance (PDF) confirming the necessary actions practice need to take depending on what they are intending to sign-up to / deliver during 2026 - 27.

Inactive laptops

All NHS North West London laptops need to be used regularly to ensure they receive up to date operating, security and application updates.

If laptops aren’t powered on and connected to the internet/network on a regular basis i.e. a minimum of one full day per month, they will not receive them, resulting in security risks and causing issues for important upgrades.

If laptops are no longer needed or used they should be returned to NHS North West London ICT to be re-deployed and aid asset/budget management.

The NHS North West London ICT department has the ability to temporarily disable laptops and will soon implement a policy to disable any device that has not connected to our systems for 60 days.

To have a device re-enabled you will need to log a call with the IT Service Desk.

If you have any questions regarding this please contact the Client Systems Team.

Protected learning time policy and application

Protected Learning Time (PLT) is an opportunity for general practice teams (GPs, registered nurses, healthcare assistants, admin/reception staff and allied health professionals) to learn about new clinical developments and updates to national guidance in an environment that promotes patient care.

PLT events are also essential in promoting peer support, building relationships, keeping teams motivated as well as engaged in training and development.

Find out more about the applications and approvals process.

A new home for digital screening information

The digital screening website has moved. Our new pages sit under the NHS Digital Prevention Services Portfolio (DPSP) website which is designed to make finding information simpler and provide links to more detailed content. There is also now a dedicated digital breast screening page with more information about the work on-going, links to the digital screening explainer video series and information on how to sign up for the Breast Screening Digital Digest.

This new website is in addition to the digital screening Futures page that provides additional resources such as provider information for go lives, FAQs and previous editions of the Breast Screening Digital Digest.

Retired identity agent versions

Some users have been receiving messages regarding Retired Identity Agent Versions when logging in with their smartcard.

On 31 March 2026, older versions of the agent may be blocked from authentication, so devices must have the current version, v2.4.10.0, installed before that date.

The install disconnects devices and may require a reboot so the NHS North West London ICT department have been deploying the new agent outside of hours. If you believe you still have an older version installed please leave your device powered on and connected to a network overnight.

You can check your version of IA by hovering over the IA icon in the system tray at the bottom right of your screen, see below.

Additional information can be found on the NHS Digital website.

Free workshop for residents on high blood pressure and long-term conditions

A workshop to support north west London residents will take place in White City, Hammersmith & Fulham.

The in-person event takes place on 30 January 2026, 2 - 5.30pm. Please display the poster, on a resident-facing notice board. The poster contains more information about the session and sign-up details.

Education and training

Patient journey maps and their application to psychosis care workshop

You are invited to join an Imperial College London workshop in the first week of February, with the exact time to be agreed with interested participants, on patient journey maps and their application to psychosis care.

You will hear findings from a study using North West London’s integrated care records—the first analysis to map the full patient pathway and highlight gaps in patient journeys as reflected in electronic medical records and the NICE guidelines.

The interactive workshop will give you time to ask questions, discuss key findings, review the patient journey models, and take part in a short research agenda‑setting activity. It will take place online via Teams. A document (PDF) outlines the agenda and how you can register your interest.

Institutional Harm Conference

The Institutional Harm hybrid conference takes place at the British Psychoanalytical Society in London, with online attendance available. Scheduled sessions explore the impact of institutional harm on mental health, featuring expert psychoanalytic speakers and optional clinical seminars. This event offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals seeking deeper understanding of ethics, safety and survivor experiences. The conferences takes place on 7 February 2026, 8.30am - 6pm. Book via the British Psychoanalytical Society's website.

Save the date: Harlington Annual Palliative Care Conference

Harlington Hospice will be hosting our annual professional conference on Wednesday 17 June 2026 at Michael Sobell Centre, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, HA6 2RN

Following the success of last year’s conference, we are pleased to confirm that this year’s event, titled “Stand by me”, will once again bring together colleagues and friends working across palliative care for a day of learning, discussion and collaboration.

The programme will explore key topics across the breadth of palliative care, with opportunities to reflect, connect and be inspired!

For a taster of the event, you can still view the content from last year on our Annual Conference web page.

Do save the date in your calendar. We will be sharing further details, including speakers, session information and registration costs, in the coming weeks.

Future of Primary Care webinar

Join Dr Mohit Venkataram in conversation with Laura Norton, Wednesday 21 January 2026, 7 - 8pm, on Zoom.

Laura is an experienced healthcare leader, currently the Chief Operating Officer of the largest Primary Care Network in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Laura has a solid background in the NHS and understands workforce issues from a number of different perspectives. Having supported the formation of PCN’s and led on GP Contracts and Quality, she is well versed in the challenges which face primary care in the UK. Laura has a track record of delivering consistent results and has an excellent understanding and working knowledge of primary and secondary care from both operational and strategic perspectives.

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from leading voices and take part in the conversation. If you want to take part please pre-register with the Zoom events page.