16 April 2026
Bulletin
Changes to an advice and refer model, how Pharmacy First updates are working in practice, education and training opportunities and a survey for internationally educated staff. 

Welcome to this week's primary care bulletin, covering the eight north west London boroughs


Key points this week include:
  • services changing to advice and refer only
  • Pharmacy First: Research with GP practices
  • pause in new referrals to Ealing Community Diagnostic Centre for paediatric asthma diagnostics
  • handling and supporting disclosures of sexual misconduct in primary care
  • the Primary Care Workforce Survey: Internationally Educated Staff – Language & Functional Skills
Education and training:
  • Postural Tachycardia Syndrome masterclass: Back to basics
  • ABCD Meeting: Learning Disabilities and Autism Session 
  • Pan-London HIN COP: Reducing harm from psychotropics used for behaviour that challenges in people with a learning disability
  • Health Care Assistant (HCA) Clinical Skills and Long-Term Conditions Training Programme
  • Harlington Hospice's stand by me palliative care conference
  • Postural Tachycardia Syndrome Masterclass: Back to Basics
If you have any submissions for this bulletin please complete this Google form. Any enquiries regarding the primary care bulletin should be sent to nclicb.communications@nhs.net with "primary care bulletin" contained within the subject line.

The next bulletin will go out on Wednesday 29 April 2026. The deadline for submissions is 3pm on Monday 27 April 2026

View previous editions.
Services changing to advice and refer only (Imperial)

From Wednesday 1 April 2026, the following services at the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust will be moving to an advice and refer model only:
  • cardiology (heart failure only)
  • neurology
  • rheumatology
  • gastroenterology
  • nephrology.
The change is in line with NHS England guidance to increase the use of advice and refer  through locally agreed pathways across the North West London Acute Provider Collaborative. The Trust will initially be going live with the above services, and the aim of the move will be to ensure patients get the right advice earlier, while reducing unnecessary referrals and improving overall pathway flow and clinic utilisation.

A document (PDF) explains more, including how to make a submission.
Pharmacy First: Research with GP practices

NHS England wants to speak to staff in GP practices to understand how recent Pharmacy First updates are working in practice. The next phase of research will involve short interviews with a small number of GP practices (around six participants initially), including GPs, practice managers, and administrative staff involved in processing incoming information.

The research sessions will last 30–45 minutes and will explore how pharmacy updates are received, reviewed, and added to patient records, who is responsible for processing them, and levels of trust in pharmacy-provided information. It will also identify any issues around awareness, control, or workflow.

The feedback will help GP practices reduce administrative burden, improve control and visibility of patient record updates, and influence future improvements to GP Connect and Pharmacy First.

To take part, please contact Fiona Eagle.
Pause in new referrals to Ealing Community Diagnostic Centre for paediatric asthma diagnostics 

Due to capacity, the Ealing Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) is temporarily paused for new referrals for paediatric asthma diagnostics.

The Willesden CDC remains open to referrals. However, to avoid placing additional pressure on this service, we ask that referrals are managed carefully during this period.

For patients who would previously have been referred to Ealing CDC, please refer to your local paediatric respiratory services where appropriate. This will help ensure patients continue to receive timely care.

We will provide further updates as soon as they are available and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

For any queries, please be reminded of the Trust primary care query email addresses:
Handling and supporting disclosures of sexual misconduct
in primary care

Join Dr Becky Cox and Dr Chelcie Jewitt, doctors and co-founders of the national
campaign 'Surviving in Scrubs', for a free half day course learning how to respond to a report of sexual misconduct in healthcare. The training is trauma informed,
designed to be safe and supportive for attendees.

The event takes place 16 April 2026, 1.30 - 5pm, at 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 5EA.

A document (PDF) contains information about the course contents. Express your interest via Teams forms.
The Primary Care Workforce Survey: Internationally Educated Staff – Language & Functional Skills

The Primary Care Workforce Survey: Internationally Educated Staff - Language & Functional Skills by CLH Training Hub is a short survey designed to understand the language and functional skills support needs of internationally educated staff working in primary care.

Your input will help shape targeted training and support programmes, ensuring staff receive the right support to develop confidence in communication, literacy, and numeracy skills.

It only takes a couple of minutes to complete, and your feedback will directly inform future training opportunities so please do take a moment to fill in the form and help us develop support that truly meets your needs.

Complete the survey here.

Education and training
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome masterclass: Back to basics

The Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) Masterclass: Back to Basics is now open to all healthcare professionals. 

The masterclass will take place on Thursday 14 May 2026 as a hybrid event, with the option to attend in person at 30 Euston Square, London, or virtually. The target audience includes any healthcare professional likely to encounter people with PoTS, as well as NHS managers and commissioners.

Register on the Eventbrite page. Please email the organisers with any questions.
ABCD Meeting: Learning Disabilities and Autism Session 

This webinar will support hospital based pharmacists, both in acute and mental health settings, when they are treating and reviewing medicines for people with a learning disability. The learning objectives are as follows:
  1. Understand how to make reasonable adjustments in a hospital setting for people with a learning disability or who may have additional needs
  2. Have a better understanding about the role of the community Learning Disability Team and Hospital Learning Disability Liaison teams
  3. Be aware of how to contact and involve learning disability specialists when caring for patients admitted to hospital
  4. Be aware of the risks of diagnostic overshadowing and underlying physical health risks that are more prevalent in those with a learning disability. 
  5. Understand how to access additional resources and training about learning disability
The session takes place online on MS Teams on Wednesday 22 April, 1pm-2pm. 

You can register for the session here. 

A confirmation email will be sent to you once you have completed your registration. Please check your junk mail if you have not received this within 1 hour of booking. 
If you can't locate it, your registration might have been unsuccessful.
Pan-London HIN COP: Reducing harm from psychotropics used for behaviour that challenges in people with a learning disability

Join colleagues from across London for the launch of a new pan-London Health Innovation Network (HIN) Community of Practice (COP), supporting the NHS England Patient Safety Collaborative programme on reducing harm from psychotropic medicines used for behaviour that challenges in people with a learning disability.  

This safe, supportive space brings together clinicians from primary care, secondary care and care homes to share best practice, problem‑solve real‑world challenges, and surface common issues affecting people and services across London.  

Our aim is to build a collaborative network that strengthens confidence, improves consistency of care, and helps drive safer, person-centred approaches to psychotropic prescribing and review. 

Please click here to register.  

You are also welcome to share this invitation with interested colleagues. 

Please note: as this is a Community of Practice and intended to be a safe space for open discussion, this session will not be recorded.
Health Care Assistant (HCA) Clinical Skills and Long-Term Conditions Training Programme

The Health Care Assistant (HCA) Clinical Skills and Long-Term Conditions Training Programme by CLH Training Hub is a Level 3 accredited, practical course designed to build confidence and competence in primary care.

It combines theory with hands-on learning to develop essential clinical skills and support effective management of long-term conditions in practice.

This is a great opportunity to enhance your skills, progress your career, and deliver high-quality patient care. Aspiring GPAs who are looking to become HCAs are also encouraged to apply.

Visit the Central London Healthcare Training Hub to register.
Harlington Hospice's stand by me palliative care conference

Join health and social care professionals from across all settings for an inspiring and practical conference exploring the realities of palliative and end-of-life care. Gain insight, challenge your thinking and strengthen your practice.

The conference takes place on Wednesday 17 June 2026, 9 - 4.30pm. It will be held at
Michael Sobell Centre, Mount Vernon Hospital, Rickmansworth Road,
Northwood, HA6 2RN. Please note there is a fee to attend.

The Harlington Hospice website features booking information.