395: NHS Primary Care Bulletin - 25 June 2026

Introduction

This article summarises the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin for 25 June 2026, the weekly email update for teams in general practice, dentistry, community pharmacy, and optometry.

Main themes of the week

The current issue highlights significant updates including the discontinuation of Levemir insulin, the introduction of the Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework (CPAF) screening questionnaire, and a revised clinical standard for oral health and dental care for children and young people.

Primary care

Levemir insulin being discontinued

Levemir insulin will be withdrawn with stocks expected to be depleted by the end of December 2026. Clinicians and prescribers should cease prescribing Levemir and instead offer patients suitable alternatives. It is crucial to consider the supply levels of alternative insulins, as Humulin I and Abasaglar may not support a significant increase in demand. Practitioners are advised to switch affected patients in accordance with ABCD/PCDO national guidance and the Medicines Supply Notice.

119 vaccine telephone booking service to remain open over summer

The NHS vaccine telephone booking service, 119, will remain operational from 8 am to 6 pm until 31 March 2027, rather than closing on 30 June. Call agents and translators will assist eligible individuals in booking or managing appointments for the Meningococcal B (MenB) and RSV vaccination programmes during the summer. From 17 August, support will extend to bookings for the seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccination programmes. GPs or pharmacies seeking to use 119 for patient assistance can set up an account on the National Booking Service.

New Local Data Packs to improve type 2 diabetes care

NHS England has introduced Type 2 Diabetes Local Data Packs (2024/25) which provide primary care teams with essential insights into local population needs and diabetes care activities. These packs are designed to help practices and PCNs identify variations, target improvements, and enhance care planning. Primary care teams are encouraged to access the packs via the Future NHS National Diabetes Programme webpage (login required). Updated versions will be released in autumn.

General practice

SNOMED procedure and product codes for MMRV vaccines

GP practices are reminded to review the details of the national vaccinations and immunisations campaign for 2026/27. Participation in the national vaccines and immunisations catch-up campaign is mandatory under the GP contract. NHS England has confirmed that this year’s campaign will focus on the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMR/V) vaccination due to recent outbreaks of measles. Full details have been published.

National MMR/V invitation campaign

From 7 July 2026, NHS England will conduct a national invitation campaign targeting children aged six years to eleven years who are missing one or two doses of a measle-containing vaccine. Parents or guardians will be advised to contact their child's GP to arrange vaccinations or update health records if their child has already received two doses. Practices must ensure sufficient capacity to accommodate the anticipated increase in demand for MMR/V vaccination appointments.

Community pharmacy

Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework (CPAF) screening questionnaire

Community pharmacy contractors will receive confirmation from NHSBSA that the CPAF screening questionnaire will go live on 1 July 2026, remaining open until midnight on 31 July. Users of the NHSBSA’s Manage Your Service (MYS) portal can complete the CPAF online. Those without MYS access will receive email instructions on completing the questionnaire online. Completion is compulsory and will determine which contractors will be invited to complete the full CPAF survey and may be subject to visits.

COVID-19 vaccination programme for autumn/winter 2026

Following Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice and a Government announcement in March, NHS England confirms that the autumn/winter 2026 COVID-19 vaccination programme will run from 1 October 2026 to 31 January 2027. This programme will be conducted alongside the seasonal flu programme, with co-administration encouraged. Eligible cohorts include:

• Adults aged 75 years and over

• Residents in care homes for older adults

• Individuals aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables three or four in the COVID-19 chapter of the green book)

Further operational guidance will be provided in due course.

Community pharmacy advanced service specification: Meningococcal B vaccination service

A new one-off, time-limited Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination service will commence from 20 July 2026 to 31 March 2027, targeting those at the highest risk. Community pharmacies will be commissioned under an advanced service specification. The Item of Service fee is £10.06 per administered vaccination, with additional payments available based on the number of vaccinations administered. Contractors interested in providing this service must register via this form by 20 July 2026.

Dentistry

NHS dental reform care pathways – guidance update and webinar recording available

NHS England has updated relevant sections of the NHS dentistry: quality and payment reforms contractual guidance with information on NHS dental reform care pathways. Associated clinical guidance will soon be available on the Dental contract reform webpage. A recording of the NHS dental quality and payment reforms webinar, held for providers and commissioners on 17 June 2026, is now accessible on NHS Futures (login required).

Clinical standard, oral health and dental care for children and young people, updated

NHS England has released an updated clinical standard outlining national expectations for children and young people's oral healthcare. This includes a structured, level-based model of care. The oral health and dental care for children and young people clinical standard addresses key aspects such as care allocation, referral and triage, anxiety management, sedation and general anaesthetic pathways, safeguarding, governance, and the role of paediatric managed clinical networks. Recommended performance indicators are included, promoting collaboration with integrated neighbourhood teams. Read the standard.

Get involved

New podcast explores online access to general practice

The latest episode of the Transforming Primary Care podcast features a discussion among GPs and Practice Managers about the impact of digital tools on patient experiences. The episode highlights advancements in online GP registration, consultations, and appointment bookings.

Self-Care Awards: showcase your community pharmacy success

The Self-Care Forum’s Self-Care Awards are now open for entries, recognising inspiring self-care initiatives across the UK. These awards celebrate efforts that empower individuals to improve their health and wellbeing. Community pharmacy teams that enhance health literacy or promote self-care are encouraged to apply.

Upcoming webinars and events

The next Community of Practice for the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme will take place on 29 June from 3 pm to 4:30 pm, focusing on neighbourhood health and NHS England improvement programmes. Presentations will cover various initiatives, including Prevention Accelerators and the Frailty Collaborative. Book a spot at the MS Teams webinar.

More upcoming webinars include:

• 29 June 12 pm-1 pm National Academy for Social Prescribing webinar on Green Social Prescribing Practitioner Guidance

• 1 July 10:30 am-12 pm, AI Ambassador Network meeting – Register here

• 2 July 1-2 pm, Health and Justice Medicines Optimisation 2026 update

• 7 July 12:30-2 pm, Structured medication reviews in problematic polypharmacy: anticholinergic burden focus

• 15 July 1-2 pm, Complementary products: helping you respond with confidence

• 22 July 1-2 pm, Procurement regulations and what they mean for medicines

• 4 August 12:30-2 pm, Structured medication reviews in problematic polypharmacy: palliative care focus

Catch up

Missed a recent national webinar? View slides and recordings of General Practice webinars.

Content in this article is drawn from the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin. Patient.info edits and formats the updates to provide a clear, accessible archive for professionals. No images? Click here to view the original email.