A new NHS England FAQ document appeared to water down ‘immediate actions’ which were issued to GP practices immediately following the publication of the Leng review into physician associates (PAs). NHS England wrote to organisations last week (15 August) to address ‘short-term uncertainty for affected staff groups’ and ‘provide clarity for staff, patients, and employers’ The post NHSE FAQ waters down physician associate review actions for GP practices appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

Pulse editor Sofia Lind warns against using artificial intelligence as a substitute for GPs Artificial intelligence has just outscored GPs in MRCGP-style exams. Four large language models answered 100 AKT-style questions with scores of 95% to 99%, compared with the average GP mark of 73%. It is a striking result, but one to be cautious The post NHS must resist the urge to replace GPs with AI appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have outscored GPs in clinical exams based on the MRCGP, which researchers argued strengthens the case for their role in supporting general practice. Researchers from University College London, King’s College London and Stanford University tested four large language models (LLMs) on 100 multiple-choice questions designed to mirror the Applied Knowledge Test The post AI models outperform GPs in MRCGP-style exams appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

GPs could face a significant rise in prescribing and monitoring workload under draft NICE guidelines that recommend much earlier use of newer type 2 diabetes drugs. The draft guidance, published today, would see SGLT-2 inhibitors started first-line for most diabetics – not just those with heart failure, cardiovascular disease or high cardiovascular risk as is The post Type 2 diabetes guideline shake-up to see first-line SGLT-2 prescribing appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 10 min )

Employment of additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) GPs could accelerate in 2025/26, GP leaders have suggested.  ( 2 min )

Catch up quickly with our weekly round-up of key news stories for general practice.  ( 2 min )

Join a free case-based MIMS Learning webinar on Tuesday 2 September at 7-8pm.  ( 4 min )

Dual therapy with metformin and SGLT2 inhibitors should be offered to all people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, draft NICE guidance says.  ( 2 min )

GP leaders are in ongoing discussions with the government over key contract demands - and have put ministers on notice that 'tangible progress' in the next four weeks will be crucial to avert the prospect of a fresh industrial dispute with general practice.  ( 3 min )

GP leaders are in ongoing discussions with the government over key contract demands - and have put ministers on notice that 'tangible progress' in the next four weeks will be crucial to avert the prospect of a fresh industrial dispute with general practice.  ( 2 min )

Guidance for prospective international applicants for health and social care jobs in the UK.  ( 5 min )

US software giant Epic has confirmed that it will integrate a range of AI tools into its EPR, including clinical documentation for doctors.

Heidi Health, an ‘AI scribe’ tool that transcribes doctor-patient consultations, went live at the Health Plus practice in Jersey.

Swedish digital therapy firm Mindler has acquired ieso Digital Health UK, an online talking therapies service available through the NHS.

More than 100,000 people in England have now been tested for hepatitis C through the NHS’s confidential home testing service, in a major milestone towards eliminating the virus as a public health threat. England is one of the few countries in the world on track to eliminate hepatitis C well before the World Health Organization’s […]  ( 6 min )

NHS England has today published the patient charter – which stipulates the right of patients including on access and registration – which GP practices must display from October. Titled ‘You and Your General Practice‘, the charter includes rules for GP practices and guidance for patients. The GP contract 2025/26 first mentioned the ‘patient charter’, which The post NHSE sets out finalised ‘patient charter’ rules that practices must abide by appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 12 min )

Dr Paul O’Reilly shares a day in his life working as a GP for the homeless population in central London My senior partner says that homeless general practice is the most fun you can have in medicine without coming to the attention of the GMC. By the bottom of this page I hope to persuade The post ‘Homeless general practice: the most fun you can have in medicine without GMC attention’ appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Almost 1,500 GPs signed a petition from UK primary care professionals calling for the RCGP to take ‘action on the Gaza child health crisis’.  The petition, hosted by the group Care in Conflict, called on the college to publicly support a ceasefire, condemn the use of healthcare obstruction, and ‘join or lead a coalition’ of The post Almost 1,500 GPs ask RCGP to take firmer stance on Gaza health crisis appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) across England are now offering more evening and weekend appointments, the Government has announced. From this month, 100 centres are operating 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Ministers said this will make it easier for patients to attend scans and tests around work and family commitments, and claimed that The post Government announces expansion of out-of-hours scans and tests appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 7 min )

GPs may see more of their patients recovering from heart disease offered digital rehabilitation at home, after NICE conditionally recommended six new technologies for NHS use. Draft guidance published today (19 August) recommends that the platforms – Activate Your Heart, D REACH-HF, Digital Heart Manual, Gro Health HeartBuddy, KiActiv and myHeart – can be used The post NICE draft guidance recommends digital cardiac rehabilitation appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Exclusive More than a fifth of PCNs have cut the number of physician associates they employ in the past year, a Pulse and Management in Practice survey has found. The survey polled GPs and practice managers, with 21% of respondents from 425 distinct PCNs reporting a reduction in PA numbers in the last 12 months. The post One in five PCNs reduced their use of physician associates in the past year appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 11 min )

NICE has conditionally recommended six digital platforms that can support rehabilitation for adults with cardiovascular disease.

This edition of Coffee Time includes a NICE consultation on potential updates to its HealthTech programme manual.

Three of the 2025 Digital Health Awards winners discuss how they are driving digital transformation and discuss the NHS 10 year health plan.

OneAdvanced has purchased certain assets of In Practice Systems (INPS) relating to the Vision electronic patient record (EPR) system.

Direct recruitment of GPs by practices may have slowed down following the 2025/26 GP contract deal despite substantial new investment, a sessional GP organisation has warned.  ( 2 min )

Practices are 'walking a tightrope' on changes to physician associate (PA) roles after NHS England published updated advice on implementing Leng review reforms, GP leaders have said.  ( 2 min )

A prevention of future deaths report has highlighted confusion among health organisations over the sharing of patient data between GP practice IT systems. A patient’s relevant surgery history was not available to the GP out-of-hours (OOH) service which misdiagnosed him before his death, the GP provider confirmed to Pulse. John Charles Spencer died on 21 The post Coroner highlights systemic GP record sharing error after patient death appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

GP and chief medical officer of the Department for Work and Pensions Dr Gail Allsopp on how primary care can support patients in getting back to work, and what Government initiatives are in place to help As GPs, we are passionate about reducing health inequalities. It is part of our role. To do this though, we The post ‘Getting patients back to work is not the responsibility of GPs alone’ appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

The physician associate (PA) union’s legal bid to stop NHS England from implementing Leng review recommendations was unsuccessful on Friday. United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPs) had requested an interim injunction to stop NHS England issuing instructions to organisations on implementing the PA review’s recommendations while a judicial review is ongoing. But at the hearing, heard The post PA union’s High Court bid to pause Leng review changes fails appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

An immunotherapy for type 1 diabetes has been approved for use in the UK, in a move which could mark a ‘turning point’ in treatment of the condition if eligible patients could be identified. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said teplizumab, also known as Tzield, is safe and effective at delaying the The post MHRA approves immunotherapy which delays development of type 1 diabetes appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

The government's flagship neighbourhood NHS programme has attracted a significant number of applications from areas that could be the first to trial large-scale alternatives to the GP contract, GPonline understands.  ( 2 min )

Nearly 2,000 GPs and registrars have signed a petition asking the RCGP to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.  ( 2 min )

A union representing physician associates has lost a legal bid for an injunction to prevent changes to the role following the Leng review.  ( 2 min )

The NHS federated data platform will host a new AI-assisted discharge summaries tool, the government has announced.

Digital health firm Patchwork Health has welcomed 17 new partnerships since its acquisition of L2P last year.

Large language models used by local authorities in England may be introducing gender bias into care decisions, according to researchers.

Information for adult social care employers in England on learning and development support.  ( 5 min )

100 Community Diagnostic Centres across the country now offer out of hours services, 12 hours a day seven days a week  ( 8 min )

Non-executive appointments to the Department of Health and Social Care's public bodies and committees from April 2025 to March 2026.  ( 5 min )

The husband and a family friend of a GP who died last year in a paddleboarding accident will cycle the length of Britain to raise money in her memory.  Julia McLean – known professionally as Dr Julia Hamilton – died in May last year near Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands. The ‘well-loved’ GP had been a partner at the The post Husband of ‘well-loved’ GP to cycle length of Britain for charity in her memory  appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 7 min )

Copperfield would be welling up at Wes Streeting’s letter to ‘tireless’ GPs if he hadn’t replaced the drinking water with vodka Are you hearing what I’m hearing? If I’m not very much mistaken, it sounds like a little clap, directed at us GPs. Because Wes Streeting has just written us a sweet letter, thanking us The post Streeting’s letter is one-hand clapping appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Exclusive The BMA has demanded urgent Government intervention over ‘unaffordable’ GP premises service charges, which have caused deep financial instability and forced some practices to hand back their contracts. The union’s GP committee pointed out ‘ongoing and unresolved issues’ faced by practices over service charges levied by NHS Property Services (NHSPS) and Community Health Partnerships The post BMA demands Government intervention over ‘unaffordable’ GP premises charges  appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

Case of the month: In the next in our series, Dr Andy Eaton asks what else might be going on in this mid-40s male patient presenting with fever, vomiting and diarrhoea following a bout of ‘gastric flu’ in his household. Post your answers below! Details of the case have been changed to ensure patient anonymity The post What could be the cause of this patient’s apparent ‘gastric flu’ symptoms? appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

A rapid evolving guideline has recommended two key drugs be prescribed in all patients with type 2 diabetes who are at higher risk of cardiovascular and kidney complications. Alongside those at most high risk, SGLT-2 inhibitor and GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs should also be prescribed to ‘most’ adults with type 2 diabetes who fall into The post ‘Living’ guideline advises GPs on use of GLP-1 and SGLT-2 drugs in type 2 diabetes appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

The Dorset Care Record was accessed by over 175,000 health and social care professionals in July 2025, as a result of ongoing staff training.

PocDoc has partnered with NHS Birmingham and Solihull to offer free heart health checks via a mobile bus for residents.

This contracts and go lives roundup includes new electronic patient records for Luton Sexual Health and Northampton General Hospital.

The RCGP has appointed a new chief executive who has promised to 'grow and develop' the college at a crucial time for general practice.  ( 2 min )

GPs behind a county-wide provider board in the Midlands say the organisation is working to keep general practice front and centre as plans to roll out a neighbourhood NHS take shape.  ( 2 min )

Nearly 1,000 dispensing practices across England that provide a lifeline for rural patients are finding it 'increasingly difficult' to survive cost pressures on multiple fronts, the Dispensing Doctors Association (DDA) has warned.  ( 2 min )

Talking General Practice speaks to chair of the Dispensing Doctors Association Dr Richard West about the crucial role dispensing practices play and the immense pressure they are under.  ( 2 min )

Severity: Medium 21 advisories are included in the semi-annual Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software (ASA), Firepower Management Center (FMC) Software, and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software Security Advisory bundled publication 21 advisories are included in the semi-annual Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software (ASA), Firepower Management Center (FMC) Software, and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software Security Advisory bundled publication Updated: 15 Aug 2025

Patients who use social media to plan cosmetic procedures will now access more reliable information thanks to a landmark new initiative.  ( 8 min )

Advice and guidance (A&G) requests have risen by 11% since the Government made a payment available for practices in April.  There were 296,624 ‘pre-referral specialist advice requests’ in June, or 11,763 per working day, according to new NHS England figures.  This represents an 11% increase in A&G requests since the payment was introduced and a The post Advice and guidance requests by GPs increase since payment introduced appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Medication for ADHD has broader benefits for patients than helping them manage symptoms associated with the condition, researchers have found. A study of almost 150,000 people children and adults with a new diagnosis of ADHD found drug treatment was associated with a lower risk of suicidal behaviour, substance abuse, transport accidents and criminality. Reporting their The post ADHD meds reduce risk of suicide, substance abuse and criminality, research shows appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Under the radar: Continuing our series exploring diagnoses that might be missed in primary care, Dr Sharon Viner describes a case of abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation in a young adult under 50 whose age could potentially have delayed investigation for upper gastrointestinal cancer Note details of the case have been changed to ensure anonymity The post Spotting gastric cancer – how age must not lead us astray appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 10 min )

GPs have raised concerns after their ICB decided not to reprocure a local community gynaecology service, leaving patients ‘in limbo’ and increasing workload for practices. Provider Primary Integrated Community Services (PICS), owned and run by GP and practice partners in Nottinghamshire, stopped delivering its service at the beginning of this month, having served notice to the The post GP workload concern after ICB fails to reprocure community gynaecology service appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

The Government has praised ‘hard-working’ GPs after new data showed more patients are describing their GP experience as ‘good’ compared to a year ago. It pointed to the latest Office for National Statistics figures on experiences of local GP services, published yesterday, which analyse data from the Health Insight Survey commissioned by NHS England. The The post ‘Considerable improvement’ in GP access and satisfaction over past year, data shows appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Public health officials are warning of an increase in cases of chikungunya in England after travellers caught the infection abroad. There have been 73 cases in the first six months of the year, the UK Health Security Agency said compared with 27 cases in the same period in 2024. It is the highest number of The post Cases of chikungunya almost triple in England among people travelling overseas appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Information about what the tariffs cover, how to use the tariffs and in what circumstances the national tariffs may be varied.  ( 4 min )

Baroness Amos has been selected to lead the independent investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal care to drive urgent improvements to care and safety.  ( 7 min )

Severity: Medium Updates address two vulnerabilities that have been added to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog Updates address two vulnerabilities that have been added to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog Updated: 14 Aug 2025

HealthTech firm Sanome has gained regulatory approval for its AI warning system which predicts and prevents healthcare-associated infections.

This Coffee Time Briefing includes a partnership between Devon Council and System C, and Oracle's next-gen electronic health record.

Three female cofounded HealthTech firms have secured over £1m investment from STAC, Scotland’s industry-led accelerator for tech start-ups.

Routine use of AI reduced health professionals’ abilities to detect precancerous growths without the technology, according to researchers.

The NHS performed a record number of checks for treatments, cancer checks and other tests for June, as 18-week performance hit its best level in 3 years. NHS staff pulled out all the stops to treat a record number of patients in any June, with 103,563 – or 2% – more treatments delivered than the […]  ( 6 min )

The NHS’s Chief Nursing Officer for England is encouraging male students getting their exam results today not to be put off by outdated stereotypes about the profession.  Duncan Burton, who became the first man to hold the post last year, wants students to consider a career in nursing and has shared his experience of how […]  ( 5 min )

A union representing physician associates is seeking a legal injunction to prevent NHS England changing their name to 'physician assistants' (PAs) and altering rules on the scope of the role following the Leng review.  ( 2 min )

An extra 1.26 million appointments could be delivered every month if all newly trained GPs were employed, the BMA has said, as it encouraged GPs to contact their MP for support on GP unemployment.  A template letter produced by the BMA calls on MPs and health secretary Wes Streeting to take action ‘to retain and to The post BMA urges GPs to contact their MP over unemployment crisis appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Editor Sofia Lind on why GPC England should not abandon potential plans for new collective action just yet Earlier this week, health secretary Wes Streeting wrote to every GP in England to say the Government remains committed to the partnership model and to negotiating a new GP contract within this Parliament. It’s the first time The post Streeting’s letter is welcome – but not reason to stand down appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

The trade union for physician associates is seeking to prevent NHS England from implementing the recommendations of the Government’s review into the role while it is in the middle of a judicial review into the changes. United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPs) said it is seeking an injunction against NHS England to stop it from ‘rapidly forcing through The post PA union seeks injunction against NHS England in bid to pause changes to the role  appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

Two major GP premises owners in England will merge in a £1.8bn deal, the companies have confirmed. Primary Health Properties (PHP) – which owns 516 primary healthcare facilities valued at £2.8bn – and property investor and developer Assura, whose 603 buildings are worth £3.2bn with the majority being GP premises, are to merge after shareholders voted in The post GP premises owners to merge after shareholders accept £1.8bn offer appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 7 min )

In its rush to reform the 'broken' NHS, the government risks missing the most basic step it could take to improve general practice, says GPonline deputy editor Nick Bostock.  ( 2 min )

Catch up quickly with our weekly round-up of key news stories for general practice.  ( 2 min )

Newly-qualified GPs are being forced into 'patchwork careers' - taking on multiple part-time jobs to earn a living, a GP trainer has warned.  ( 2 min )

A large GP-led provider organisation has hired a hospital chief executive to lead its response to the 10-year health plan, as general practice providers prepare to take on at-scale contracts - potentially in competition with acute trusts.  ( 2 min )

One in three GPs plan to quit patient care in the next five years and low job satisfaction or burnout are the most common factors involved, research shows.  ( 2 min )

Helen Pitts shares a video walk-though of the new Manage vaccinations in schools (Mavis) service, which helps those involved in school vaccinations handle the challenging logistics of vaccinating hundreds of children in a single day. Manage vaccinations in schools (shortened to Mavis) is a digital service we're building to support vaccination providers around the country, so that they’re easier to manage and more effective. Vaccination providers visit schools to deliver vaccinations to hundreds of children in a single day. This can require a great deal of planning, preparing, and coordination.

Helen Pitts shares a video walk-though of the new Manage vaccinations in schools (Mavis) service, which helps those involved in school vaccinations handle the challenging logistics of vaccinating hundreds of children in a single day. Manage vaccinations in schools (shortened to Mavis) is a digital service we're building to support vaccination providers around the country, so that they’re easier to manage and more effective. Vaccination providers visit schools to deliver vaccinations to hundreds of children in a single day. This can require a great deal of planning, preparing, and coordination.

Severity: Medium CVE-2024-26009 could allow an unauthenticated attacker to perform full device compromise CVE-2024-26009 could allow an unauthenticated attacker to perform full device compromise Updated: 13 Aug 2025

Severity: Medium Scheduled updates for Microsoft products, including security updates for 111 vulnerabilities, of which one has been reported as publicly disclosed Scheduled updates for Microsoft products, including security updates for 111 vulnerabilities, of which one has been reported as publicly disclosed Updated: 13 Aug 2025

A digital tool to help identify and prevent distressed behaviours in dementia patients will be showcased by the Alzheimer’s Society.

Ergéa and Newton’s Tree have partnered with the aim of improving healthcare organisations through integrated, AI-enabled digital solutions.

Personal health data from more than 485,000 women has been stolen from a cervical cancer screening programme in the Netherlands.  ( 20 min )

A source inside the coronial service responds to criticism of GPs using the medical examiner process, and argues that coroners must take more responsibility for safeguarding cause of death accuracy. Like many who read in Pulse about a coroner criticising two GPs for ‘not understanding’ the medical examiner process, I felt frustrated. I have a The post ‘GPs aren’t getting the medical examiner system wrong – coroners are’ appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

A GP practice has set up a ‘taxi service’ for patients to reach the surgery – but this may be cancelled after no one used it in its first month.   Hadleigh Health Centre took the step of funding the taxi service following the closure of one of its branches in the village of Boxford The post GP ‘taxi service’ could be cancelled because patients do not use it appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

The Government has announced a pilot to test new ways to support patients living with obesity, in a bid to ‘ease pressures’ on general practice. ICBs will be asked to submit bids to pilot ‘innovative models of care’ for people living with obesity, outside of existing specialist weight management services, including wraparound services, obesity treatments The post Government to pilot new obesity services to ‘ease pressure on GPs’ appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

NHS England has urged pregnant women to use a new service to self-refer directly to local maternity services, without seeing a GP first. By completing an online form on NHS.uk, families can now choose directly which NHS trust to refer themselves to. NHS England estimated that this service could lead to 180,000 fewer calls to The post Pregnant women asked to self-refer to maternity services without seeing GP first appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

This call for evidence seeks views on how the current system operates in relation to patient access to medicines through private (non-NHS) routes.  ( 5 min )

Tens of thousands of NHS patients living with obesity could get cutting-edge help to improve their health, thanks to a new health innovation programme  ( 11 min )

NHS England has announced that newly pregnant women can now self-refer online to get their first midwife appointments.  ( 20 min )

This edition of coffee time includes news from the NHS Ambulance Radio Programme and a DIY heart monitor from Phillips for NHS patients.  ( 20 min )

This episode, in partnership with Digital Health Networks sponsor Imprivata, focuses on all things mobile technology in healthcare.  ( 17 min )

A partnership in the East of England has enabled frontline ambulance crews to consult stroke specialists via video.  ( 13 min )

Up to 30,000 GP appointments could be saved a year by supporting more pregnant women to self-refer to maternity services, NHS England has said.  ( 2 min )

Hundreds of thousands of newly pregnant women across England can now self-refer online to get their “all-important” first midwife appointments quicker, ensuring the best and most personalised care for their baby. By completing a simple online form on NHS.uk, mums-to-be can now refer themselves directly to their local maternity services without seeing a GP first. […]  ( 6 min )

Dr Burnt Out reflects on decades of scepticism over fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, following the new NHS plan directing GPs to support delivery of care for these conditions For years and years, some doctors have made fun of and dismissed patients with chronic pain and fatigue conditions (which often co-exist) such as fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic The post GPs owe ME/CFS patients an apology appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

The health secretary has written to all GP practices in England thanking them for their ‘tireless efforts’ and reaffirming the Government’s commitment to the partnership model and a new GP contract. In a letter to practices, Wes Streeting said the Government ‘remains committed to the partnership model’ and that it will work with the BMA’s The post Streeting reconfirms commitment to new GP contract and partnership model appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

A retired GP was among at least 13 health workers arrested at protests against the proscription of the group Palestine Action on Saturday, according to a health worker protest group.  The group formed a ‘health block’ at the protest in Parliament Square to draw attention to attacks on health workers in Gaza.  It is estimated The post Retired GP among health workers arrested at Palestine Action protest  appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Talking therapies offered on the NHS for depression and anxiety appear to be less effective for teenagers and young adults, a study has found. Analysis of data from almost 310,000 patients aged 16-24 years who had an episode of treatment by the NHS Talking Therapies service found they were less likely to have improved or The post NHS talking therapies may be less effective in 16-24-year-olds appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

The government is 'committed to the partnership model' and will start talks on 'retaining and reforming the practice-based contract for general practice' in September, health and social care secretary Wes Streeting has said.  ( 3 min )

BMA GP leaders have asked the government to meet with them to discuss solutions regarding the GP unemployment crisis.  ( 2 min )

DHSC and NHS England’s ongoing work and future plans to improve shortage management and strengthen medicines supply chain resilience.  ( 4 min )

Data supporting DHSC and NHS England’s ongoing work and future plans to improve shortage management and strengthen medicines supply chain resilience.  ( 3 min )

Guidance for organisations and anyone who may come in to contact with women and girls affected by virginity testing and hymenoplasty.  ( 4 min )

Contact details of the people in child death overview panels (CDOPs) who are responsible for receiving child death notifications.  ( 8 min )

Thousands of new jobs will be unlocked across the healthcare sector to make sure there are enough jobs for every newly qualified nurse and midwife in England.  ( 11 min )

Severity: Medium Exploitation of vulnerability in RARLab's WinRAR could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code Exploitation of vulnerability in RARLab's WinRAR could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code Updated: 11 Aug 2025

Nearly 400,000 people have used a prescription tracking feature in the NHS App in the first 10 weeks since its launch, said NHS England.  ( 19 min )

The NHS Race and Health Observatory has launched a digital platform to support healthcare organisations in tackling health inequalities.  ( 19 min )

Ultromics, a provider of AI-driven cardiology solutions, has raised $55m (£41m) in Series C financing to scale its technology across the US.  ( 13 min )

Nearly 400,000 people have used a new prescription tracking feature in the NHS App in the first ten weeks since its launch, helping reduce unnecessary calls and visits to pharmacies. The handy “Amazon-style” tracker allows people to check the status of their medications as easily as their online shopping and has already been used 715,000 […]  ( 6 min )

One GP shares why they will be risking arrest at a protest against the Government’s proscription of Palestine Action, and explains why healthcare workers participating in activism is so important Tomorrow, London’s streets will be filled with people marching in support of Palestine and condemning Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip. It is a sight The post ‘Why I’m risking arrest as a GP over Palestine Action’s ban’ appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

The BMA has written to the primary care minister asking to meet ‘at the earliest possible opportunity’ regarding the GP unemployment crisis.  Over 3,000 GPs will gain their Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) this week, but the BMA said the lack of substantive work available means ‘many face uncertainty’.  The union reiterated its demand The post BMA demands urgent meeting with primary care minister over GP unemployment appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Exclusive A GP practice could not locate the origin of a panic alarm due to an IT systems issue, in a critical incident highlighted by the LMC. YOR LMC medical secretary Dr Brian McGregor said he was told of a ‘critical incident’ at a practice in the Bradford District and Craven, West Yorkshire. He said The post GP practice could not locate panic alarm due to IT system failure appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

Real-world analysis of the first season of vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has shown a dramatic impact on hospitalisation in both older people and newborns. An analysis done by the UK Health Security Agency found RSV vaccination was 82% effective against hospitalisation in older people this winter. It also showed it was ‘highly effective’ The post First season with RSV vaccination saw dramatic reduction in hospitalisations appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

The Government is consulting on changes that would allow physiotherapists to prescribe pregabalin and gabapentin once more to take pressure off GPs. Under the proposals, physiotherapist independent prescribers would be able to also provide codeine and tramadol. Physiotherapists were previously able to prescribe tramadol, gabapentin and pregabalin prior to changes in their controlled drug scheduling, The post Physiotherapists could prescribe pregabalin again to take pressure off GPs appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Severity: Medium Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-53786 could allow an attacker to escalate privileges within the organisation’s connected cloud environment Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-53786 could allow an attacker to escalate privileges within the organisation’s connected cloud environment Updated: 08 Aug 2025

Ambulance technology developed in Rwanda by University of Birmingham experts could save nearly one million lives by enabling faster care.  ( 20 min )

An image library, showing how diseases appear on different skin tones, has been launched to prevent misdiagnosis for people with darker skin.  ( 13 min )

Customers can now view the results of at-home blood and DNA tests from MyHealthChecked on the NHS App, through an integration with PKB.  ( 14 min )

Information for drug services to help them prevent, identify, treat and manage wounds in people who inject drugs.  ( 3 min )

Around 4,200 GPs will receive their certificate of completion of training (CCT) this year according to RCGP estimates - up 47% from just five years ago - but the college has warned many may struggle to find work.  ( 3 min )

The GPonline team discusses the key issues affecting general practice.  ( 2 min )

Patients with advanced head and neck cancers in England will be fast-tracked into a trial of a new cancer vaccine, as the NHS expands its world-leading trial ‘match-making’ service. The investigational cancer vaccine uses mRNA technology to help the immune system recognise and kill cancer cells containing human papillomavirus proteins. More than 100 patients with […]  ( 6 min )

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially designated Health Canada, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare/Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (MHLW/PMDA) of Japan, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the United Kingdom as WHO-Listed Authorities (WLAs), a status granted to national authorities that meet the highest international regulatory standards for medical products.  ( 8 min )

Professor Susan Hopkins is appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).  ( 6 min )

Impact assessment and equality impact assessment of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.  ( 4 min )

A decision from the VPAG dispute resolution panel that Haleon UK Ltd was subject to the VPAG scheme for the calendar year 2024.  ( 4 min )

Official statistics on a range of topics including occupancy and infection control measures in adult social care settings.  ( 3 min )

How the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) puts together the data in its monthly reports.  ( 6 min )

We are seeking your views on what procedures should be in scope of the licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England.  ( 5 min )

An exasperated Copperfield on the trials and tribulations that Mounjaro prescribing has wreaked on general practice Well, that’s one question answered: What happens to patients post-Mounjaro? Yes, they flab up again, but who will be responsible for stopping that happening? Ah, you’re ahead of me. We GPs will be expected to ‘monitor’ them for at The post Fat chance that Mounjaro will save the NHS appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

AI tool ChatGPT may be able to free up GP time during a patient consultation by providing a quick summary of recent medical notes, researchers have found. Testing the theory on simulated records, GP researchers found ChatGPT was able to do sum up the patient’s history more quickly and with similar accuracy to doctors. If The post ChatGPT could free up GP consultation time by summarising notes appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Once in a lifetime: Continuing our series on conditions that GPs may only encounter once in a career, gastroenterology resident doctors Dr Kevin Jacob, Dr Sana Mallick, Dr Belinda Eze and consultant gastroenterologist Dr Andrew Poullis provide an overview of the rare disorder known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) What is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?  Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) The post How to recognise Zollinger-Ellison syndrome appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 10 min )

Once in a lifetime: Continuing our series on conditions that GPs may only encounter once in a career, gastroenterology resident doctors Dr Kevin Jacob, Dr Sana Mallick, Dr Belinda Eze and consultant gastroenterologist Dr Andrew Poullis provide an overview of the rare disorder known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) What is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?  Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) The post How to recognise Zollinger-Ellison syndrome appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 10 min )

Public health officials are warning people to be mindful of tick bites this summer. UK Health Security Agency officials advised the public to be alert to the signs of Lyme disease – including the telltale bullseye rash – and to seek quick to seek help from the GP if needed. It comes as the latest The post Contact GP quickly with Lyme disease symptoms, public told appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

The Government has said it will be cracking down on ‘cowboy’ cosmetic procedures with new rules over who will be able to carry them out. Only qualified healthcare professionals will be able to perform the highest-risk procedures – such as non-surgical Brazilian butt lifts – and they must be working in providers that are registered The post Government to limit high-risk cosmetic procedures to be carried out by doctors only appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

GPs continue to struggle with their workload more than other doctor groups, according to new GMC data. The doctor regulator’s annual survey on the state of medical education and practice in the UK found 44% of GPs are struggling with workload, compared with just 29% of respondents overall. The figure for GPs was a slight The post GPs struggle with workload more than other doctors, finds GMC appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

ChatGPT is changing the way it interacts with users following concerns that AI chatbots could have a negative impact on mental health.  ( 20 min )

Today's Coffee Time includes System C announcing the acquisition of Australian health and care management tech provider MYP Technologies.  ( 14 min )

Meta has been found liable by a Californian federal court for using sensitive personal data from Flo Health to run targeted ads.  ( 20 min )

Most GP practices will see funding rise in 2025/26 by enough to deliver the pay rise for partners and employees recommended by the Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB), breaking a cycle of uplifts that have failed to match public promises about GP funding, accountants say.  ( 3 min )

GPs are under 'extreme and prolonged pressure' and around 50% more likely to be struggling with workload or dissatisfied compared with other doctors - potentially putting plans to shift more healthcare into community settings at risk, a GMC report warns.  ( 2 min )

New measures to crack down on cowboy cosmetic procedures will be introduced by the government.  ( 11 min )

For all independent prescribers to help improve the quality of prescribing practice.  ( 3 min )

Data on gifts that ministers gave and received, their external meetings and any overseas travel.  ( 4 min )

Proportion of payments made within 5 and 30 working days.  ( 6 min )

Pulse editor-in-chief Jaimie Kaffash ponders the silence surrounding the future of newly-qualified GPs amid the ongoing unemployment crisis Remember the GP unemployment crisis? It seems so long ago now – that crazy situation where GP practices were short of GPs, but there were huge numbers of GPs out of work. Then the Government announced the GP ARRS The post Why has it all gone quiet about the next cohort of qualified GPs? appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

The UK medicines regulator has urged GP practices to report all ‘adverse incidents’ and ‘inaccuracies’ with artificial intelligence (AI) tools used in clinical practice to its Yellow Card Scheme. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)’s Yellow Card scheme, established for patients to report adverse reactions to medicines, has a specific reporting service for The post MHRA asks GPs to report ‘all AI inaccuracies’ to Yellow Card scheme appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

Pulse LIVE will return to Newcastle next month, with a keynote speech by the CQC’s primary care chief inspector, as well as expert-led presentations and networking. The event, worth 4.5 CPD hours, will take place on 17 September at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead. Professor Bola Owolabi, CQC chief inspector of primary care, will deliver the The post CQC primary care chief inspector to address GPs at Pulse LIVE Newcastle appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Public health officials are urging parents to get their children’s vaccinations up to date over the summer holidays over fears measles cases will surge further when school starts again in September. The latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show another 145 measles cases in the past four weeks, mainly in children under The post Parents urged to book vaccine appointments for children in summer holidays appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

We are at a time of GP unemployment, GP trainees unsure whether they can get a substantive role, and burnout continuing to be prevalent throughout the profession. One solution many GPs are finding to these problems is pursuing a portfolio career. The number of potential roles that GPs can take to supplement their routine work The post The GP portfolio career for you appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

GP teams in England delivered seven million more appointments in the past year amidst rising levels of patient satisfaction, NHS data has shown. ‘Hardworking’ GP practices carried out 383.3m appointments in the last 12 months, compared to 375.7m in the previous year, figures show. In June alone, GP teams delivered a record 31.4 million appointments The post GP appointment numbers and patient satisfaction rise year on year appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Exclusive: More than half of the £82m additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) cash for GP jobs in 2024/25 went unclaimed, GPonline can reveal.  ( 3 min )

Catch up quickly with our weekly round-up of key news stories for general practice.  ( 3 min )

Rising numbers of PCNs are seeking advice on forming companies to bid for large-scale contracts proposed in the government's 10-year health plan, specialist lawyers have said.  ( 3 min )

GP practices in west Yorkshire face a seven-figure bill for extra staff to help with a digital clean-up after nine days of IT disruption across the area.  ( 3 min )

Severity: Medium Trend Micro reports active exploitation of management console command injection RCE vulnerability Trend Micro reports active exploitation of management console command injection RCE vulnerability Updated: 06 Aug 2025

Manufacturers will be able to supply innovative medical devices to the NHS before obtaining full regulatory approval, under a new MHRA scheme.  ( 20 min )

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust will launch an AI Lab this year, as part of its ambition to deliver the government’s 10 year health plan.  ( 14 min )

The Scottish government has launched a tender to provide a new version of its online digital maturity assessment tool, including AI questions.  ( 20 min )

The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Kenya as having eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness as a public health problem, making it the tenth country to reach this important milestone. HAT is the second neglected tropical disease (NTD) to be eliminated in Kenya: the country was certified free of Guinea worm disease in 2018.  ( 9 min )

Dr David Turner argues for tougher vaccine policy following the death of a child with measles Children becoming seriously ill and dying from a preventable disease is something we usually associate with developing countries – not the UK. Yet recently measles claimed the life of a child in Liverpool, and has caused many others to The post ‘We should go hard-line on measles and mandate child vaccination’ appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

The threat to health caused by air pollution is far greater than previously understood and requires urgent and ambitious action, the Royal College of Physicians has warned. Affecting almost every organ in the body, air pollution is a serious and avoidable health risk that could contribute to 30,000 deaths in 2025 alone, a report from The post Air pollution is ‘public health crisis’, doctors warn appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Exclusive GPs across a large area in England are calling on the BMA to re-enter formal dispute with the Government over the 10-year plan, Pulse can reveal. Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire (BBO) LMCs said that 87% of GPs in their area believe the union’s GP committee should ‘urgently return to formal dispute with the Government’ The post LMCs call for BMA to re-enter GP collective action over 10-year plan appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

NHS England has not changed physician associate (PA) role descriptions in line with Leng review recommendations in the PCN enhanced service specification. According to the PA trade union, this is due to the pending legal case it is bringing to challenge the recommendations, although NHS England did not confirm or deny this. The PCN DES The post NHS England fails to update physician associate job description amid legal case appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 11 min )

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme in older adults should be expanded to include those over the age of 80 years, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended. It follows analysis that the introduction of RSV vaccination in 75-to-79-year-olds last September led to a significant reduction in hospital admissions among that age The post RSV vaccination should extend to over-80s, JCVI advises appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

GPs should monitor patients who have taken weight-loss medication ‘for a minimum of one year’ after treatment is completed, according to a new NICE quality standard.  Published today, the updated standard asks healthcare professionals including GPs to offer advice, follow-up support and provide tailored action plans including regular check-ins.  The standard said they should ‘ensure The post GPs should support patients for one year after GLP-1 treatment, says NICE appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

Guidance and materials for the survey of adult carers in England (SACE) 2025 to 2026 survey year.  ( 4 min )

This consultation seeks views on extending medicines responsibilities for paramedics, physiotherapists, operating department practitioners and diagnostic radiographers.  ( 4 min )

Data on the funds collected by the Compensation Recovery Unit and funds paid to the NHS.  ( 3 min )

A third of GP appointments in England were carried out remotely in June 2025, according to an analysis of NHS data by PA Media.  ( 20 min )

Today's coffee time includes a new biosecurity centre, a study on the benefits of AI scribes and Nuffield Health's new mammography tech.  ( 20 min )

An AI-powered physiotherapy clinic has more than halved waiting lists for back pain in its first large-scale deployment in England.  ( 20 min )

Severity: High SonicWall has released a security notice regarding recent reported cyber incidents involving SonicWall Gen 7 Firewalls SonicWall has released a security notice regarding recent reported cyber incidents involving SonicWall Gen 7 Firewalls Updated: 05 Aug 2025

Strengthening health systems to support breastfeeding is not just a health imperative, it is a moral and economic imperative. WHO and UNICEF remain committed to supporting countries to build resilient health systems that leave no mother or child behind.  ( 8 min )

GPs and other providers should monitor patients regularly for at least a year after treatment with obesity medication to help them maintain weight loss, updated NICE advice says.  ( 3 min )

The NHS’s top midwife is urging newly eligible pregnant mothers that “now is the time to act” and get the RSV vaccine to protect their baby ahead of this winter. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of infant mortality around the world and a main cause of child hospitalisations every year – with […]  ( 7 min )

NHS England has failed to follow its own advice on renaming physician associates as 'physician assistants' or changing their remit, in an apparent climbdown following a legal challenge.  ( 3 min )

More than 99% of GP practices in England have signed up for the £80m advice and guidance DES launched this year - but GP leaders say the scheme is underfunded and could drive up workload.  ( 3 min )

Exclusive: GPs using AI tools have been warned to watch out for 'inaccurate or fabricated' information and to report suspected adverse incidents via the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) yellow card scheme.  ( 3 min )

Neighbourhood contracts outlined in the 10-year health plan could undermine the sustainability of existing GP practices by stripping out PCN and enhanced services funding they rely on, accountants have warned.  ( 3 min )

The BMA has called for ‘clear financial arrangements’ to underpin the new neighbourhood care models proposed by the Government, following the 10-year plan’s lack of detail around funding. In new guidance to practices and GP federations, the union’s GP committee warned that without safeguards, the plan risks funding ‘flowing to higher tiers of the system’ The post GPC calls for ‘clear financial arrangements’ amid neighbourhood funding uncertainty appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Exclusive More than one-third of GPs are under greater pressure to complete a death certificate when they are unsure of a patient’s cause of death, a Pulse survey has found. Of 972 respondents, 37% said that pressure to fill out Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs) despite not knowing why a patient died has The post Pressure on GPs to complete death certificate without knowing cause has increased appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

GP practices are facing delays in receiving correct reimbursements for the cholesterol-lowering drug inclisiran, due to ‘incorrect calculations’. In a message to GPs, the BMA’s GP committee said it was ‘aware of an issue regarding reimbursement for inclisiran, whereby payments have been delayed’.  Practices buy inclisiran for £45 and claim a £60 reimbursement from the The post GP practices face delays in receiving correct inclisiran reimbursements appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Do you have a strong sense of public duty? Do you mind being disliked by your peers? Would you make a good contestant on The Apprentice? Do you genuinely enjoy spending time with patients? If you feel that you want to add another string to your career bow – or you just want to waste five minutes – The post What is the GP portfolio career for you? Take our quiz appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 6 min )

Powys Teaching Health Board has rolled out a digital tool to support health visitors with decision making and care planning.  ( 20 min )

A study has developed an AI method to predict the early onset of 38 age-related diseases through analysis of UK Biobank data.  ( 19 min )

NHS Humber Health Partnership has partnered with DrDoctor to launch patient-facing digital tools, including notifications and digital letters.  ( 19 min )

An update on progress the government has made to implement the Lord O'Shaughnessy review of commercial clinical trials and how it is going further and faster beyond to transform the UK clinical research system.  ( 3 min )

NHS and local authorities begin rollout of world-first gonorrhoea vaccination programme across the country.  ( 14 min )

Based on early estimates over 10,000 extra patients received their care during last week’s BMA strike [25 July 2025 – 30 July 2025] compared to the previous industrial action [27 June 2024 – 02 July 2024]. The NHS took a more robust approach during the latest round of industrial action with staff from right across […]  ( 5 min )

Thousands of mothers and babies will benefit from extended support to breastfeeding services this year.  ( 10 min )

Practice managers in England will not be included – for now – in new Government regulations covering NHS managers, though this may change due to an ‘appetite’ to expand the scope, according to the Department of Health and Social Care. The new regulatory framework, announced last week, introduces a statutory barring system preventing NHS leaders guilty The post Government will not regulate GP practice managers – for now appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

GP leaders have warned that Government plans to introduce ‘year of care payments’ – which could see other NHS organisations take on budgets for general practice services – can ‘only mean the end for the GMS contract’. The NHS 10-year plan pledged to introduce ‘a capitated budget for a patient’s care over a year’, which The post Other NHS organisations take on GP budgets under ‘year of care’ plans appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

Pulse takes on July’s talking points – how involved will trusts be in running neighbourhood services, and is collective action on the horizon again? Will trusts take on neighbourhood health services? The Government’s hefty 10-year health plan left many GPs scratching their heads earlier this month. Tagged as part of Labour’s ‘plan for change’, the The post Trust-run neighbourhood services and collective action: July’s big talking points appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Pulse is launching a new platform for GP trainees, newly-qualified GPs and those considering the next stages of their career. The platform will be launched on Monday 4 August, and will provide all the essential news around jobs and recruitment, as well as analysis and advice, columns from experts and those who have stories to The post Pulse to launch platform for GPs considering next career stage appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 7 min )

GP practices in one part of England are facing an ongoing IT systems outage which has forced them to hand-write forms, and caused huge backlogs and ‘severe’ disruption to services over the past week.  The IT issues in West Yorkshire were caused by problems with data centres that support IT systems in primary care in The post GPs resort to pen and paper as six-day IT outage ‘severely’ disrupts services appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

In this case-based CPD module, consultant paediatric specialists in allergy Dr Thisanayagam Umasunthar and Dr Robert Boyle explain evidence-based approaches to food allergy in primary care, including accurate diagnosis of cow’s milk allergy, management of Pollen Food Syndrome, when testing is appropriate and identifying and managing anaphylaxis. Complete the full module on Pulse365 today. Note The post CPD: Casebook – food allergy and testing appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 12 min )

Reports on departmental staff numbers and costs.  ( 3 min )

Impact assessment and equality impact assessment of risk stratification in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England.  ( 3 min )

The Thames Valley and Surrey Care Record has saved around £17 million annually in professional time, according to analysis.  ( 20 min )

Intuitive has announced that its da Vinci 5 Surgical System has received CE Mark approval for adult and paediatric use in Europe.  ( 20 min )

Alder Hey has launched an AI strategy for its children and young peoples services which includes virtual assistants and predictive analytics.  ( 20 min )

PrimaryCareLearnings is excited to announce the chairs for our fourth consecutive face-to-face meeting for UK healthcare professionals.  ( 7 min )

General practice will have to change as the 10-year health plan takes shape - but embracing the move to neighbourhoods could be the best way to protect core values such as continuity of care, says a GP leading an innovative large-scale primary care organisation.  ( 3 min )

Talking General Practice speaks to Dr Andy Hilton, a GP partner and chief executive of Primary Care Sheffield, a not-for-profit company owned by the city's GP practices, which was highlighted in the 10-year plan as an example of successful neighbourhood working.  ( 3 min )

The global sum for GP practices in England has been increased from £121.79 to £123.34 per patient to implement the 4% staff pay rise recommended by the pay review body, NHS England has confirmed. For 2025/26 the Government committed to ‘uplifting the pay element of the GP contract’ by 4% following the Review Body on Doctors’ The post Global sum increased by £1.55 per patient to implement DDRB GP pay uplift   appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Clinical conundrum: In the next in our series, Dr Raj Thakkar considers how to manage a patient who presents with apparent tachycardia from a recording on her ‘Fitbit’ wearable device A 32-year-old woman’s ‘Fitbit’ wearable device shows that she has a resting tachycardia (of around 104bpm) and that her heart rate goes ‘too high’ during The post How should this patient’s ‘Fitbit’-recorded tachycardia be managed? appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 10 min )

The BMA has threatened the GMC with new legal action over the regulator’s use of the term ‘medical professionals’ to cover both physician assistants and doctors, following the Government-commissioned review into the role by Professor Gillian Leng.  In April, the High Court dismissed the BMA’s claims the GMC was ‘blurring the lines’ between PAs and The post BMA threatens GMC with new legal action for ‘blurring lines’ between PAs and doctors appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has set out plans to expand primary care teams across the country as GPs plough on with collective action. Funding has been secured to push ahead with growing the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) programme which will ‘open up a million more appointments by 2033’, health minister Mike Nesbitt said. The post NI Government sets out primary care expansion as GPs continue collective action appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

Directions for the NHS from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care governing the provision of Directed Enhanced Services (DESs) in general practice.  ( 4 min )

Directions for the NHS from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care relating to payments for primary medical services contractors.  ( 4 min )

This publication supports local authority health and wellbeing boards to develop and update pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNAs).  ( 4 min )

Find out about DHSC's data protection policy and procedures.  ( 3 min )

Bringing together industry, academia, the third sector and the NHS to tackle healthcare challenges such as dementia, cancer, mental health, obesity and addiction.  ( 4 min )

Core practice funding will rise by an extra £1.55 per registered patient to cover the 4% GP pay rise agreed for 2025/26, NHS England has confirmed.  ( 2 min )

Government plans to expand multidisciplinary teams fall far short of solving chronic underfunding of general practice in Northern Ireland, GP leaders have warned.  ( 2 min )

Writing for GPonline, health minister Ashley Dalton says the latest appointments data tell an 'extraordinary story of GP excellence' - and that government plans to reshape the NHS will rightly put general practice 'at the centre of healthcare delivery'.  ( 2 min )

General practice is making 'important progress' on improving access, NHS England has said - as appointments data showed practices delivered a record 383m appointments over the past 12 months.  ( 2 min )

Siloes in the NHS and a lack of standardised data are barriers to the government's digital health plans, according to a panel of experts.  ( 20 min )

This edition of Coffee Time includes a partnership for OpenAI with the UK government and a successful £15m funding round for Ceryx Medical.  ( 20 min )

Doctors at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) have developed MENO.pause, an app that helps clinicians to manage menopause symptoms.  ( 14 min )

Access Health, Support and Care has partnered with BearingPoint to help integrated care systems deliver more sustainable virtual wards.  ( 14 min )

New NHS figures show general practice has delivered over 7 million more appointments in the past year compared to last year, taking the total to a record 380 million. Hardworking GP teams carried out 383.3m appointments in the last 12 months, compared to 375.7m in the previous year. Figures for June 2025 also show practices […]  ( 4 min )

GPs in Suffolk were left to deal with thousands of duplicate pathology results following a ‘software failure’ at a hospital trust, which had ‘significant knock-on effects’ on practices. West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust confirmed to Pulse that 19 of the 24 GP practices in West Suffolk were affected by the incident, which was caused by The post GPs left to deal with thousands of duplicate test results following hospital IT failure appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Pulse editor-in-chief Jaimie Kaffash on how general practice should embrace the value and flexibility of the part-time GP I’ve got a little riddle for you. A father and son are involved in a car accident. The father dies immediately, and the son is rushed into A&E. The surgeon sees him and immediately says: ‘I can’t The post We should not be embarrassed by part-time GP work appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Guidance produced by one ICB to help GPs support bereaved parents after the death of a child should be taken on board by practices around the country, the RCGP has said. A framework produced by Cheshire and Merseyside ICB to help GPs supporting bereaved parents noted that 3,500 children die every year in England. Child The post GPs encouraged to take on ICB advice on supporting bereaved parents appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

The Government has instructed GP practices to make anonymous patient data available to a data sharing platform to further medical research.  A letter from NHS England to GPs said health secretary Wes Streeting has issued NHSE with ‘directions’ – a legal instrument – for practices to join the OpenSAFELY data analytics service by instructing their The post GPs instructed to make anonymised patient data available for research appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care writes to the co-chairs of the BMA Resident Doctors Committee.  ( 3 min )

Sets out the government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England.  ( 5 min )

Department of Health and Social Care spending by electronic purchasing card solution (ePCS), over £500.  ( 3 min )

Department of Health and Social Care spending by electronic purchasing card solution (ePCS), over £500.  ( 3 min )

Department of Health and Social Care spending by electronic purchasing card solution (ePCS), over £500.  ( 3 min )

Department of Health and Social Care spending by electronic purchasing card solution (ePCS), over £500.  ( 3 min )

Department of Health and Social Care spending by electronic purchasing card solution (ePCS), over £500.  ( 3 min )

University Hospitals of Leicester and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire have partnered with Microsoft to develop AI solutions.  ( 20 min )

This episode, in partnership with Digital Health Networks sponsor Imprivata, focuses on all things mobile technology in healthcare.  ( 17 min )

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists is leading a call for the national standardisation of electronic health records in eye care.  ( 14 min )

Catch up quickly with our weekly round-up of key news stories for general practice.  ( 2 min )

Talks on a substantive new contract for general practice will consider 'updates to the partnership model', the government's primary care minister has said.  ( 2 min )

Tribute to Dr David Nabarro  ( 9 min )

The BMA has raised concerns around the ‘looming’ unemployment crisis as half of doctors finishing foundation training say they have no job secured for next month.  According to the results of a survey by the union, 52% of doctors said they have no ‘substantive employment or regular locum work’ secured for August, when they finish The post Half of doctors finishing foundation training will have no job next month, BMA warns appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

The first 24/7 ‘neighbourhood mental health centre’ announced in the 10-year plan has now opened in London. Earlier this month, the Government pledged to ‘transform mental health services into 24/7 neighbourhood care models’ as part of the NHS 10-year plan. Now NHS England has announced that the first of six neighbourhood mental health centres – which The post First 24/7 ‘neighbourhood mental health centre’ announced in 10-year plan now open appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Drawing on her own experiences and those of colleagues, Dr Louise Clarke highlights the ingrained sexism affecting GPs from training levels Last year Pulse brought long-overdue attention to the entrenched sexism in general practice with an investigation that involved surveying over 700 female and marginalised gender respondents. The findings were stark. Women were underrepresented in The post Sexism in general practice begins in training – it’s time we faced it appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Exclusive GP leaders in one area have advised practices to hold off from taking part in new ‘neighbourhood health programmes’, amid a lack of clarity and fears that these could jeopardise GMS contracts. Earlier this month, the Government announced the first phase of the rollout of neighbourhood health programmes following the 10-year plan, with 42 The post GPs advised not to take part in neighbourhood programmes yet amid ‘lack of clarity’ appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

A study of more than 800 patients has found that most penicillin allergy labels in GP records are ‘incorrect’, pointing to increased antibiotic use and worse health outcomes for patients as a result. The trial in 51 GP practices found that almost nine in ten patients with a penicillin allergy label on their GP record The post Most penicillin allergy labels in GP records ‘incorrect’, study finds appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Variation in experiences of GP services will form part of a six-month NHS investigation into health inequalities for LGBTQ+ people.  ( 2 min )

A video messaging app has launched at King's College Hospital and Princess Royal University Hospital for families with premature babies.  ( 20 min )

This Coffee Time includes OX.DH achieving compliance with the NHSE Tech Innovation Framework and a report on clinicians' attitude towards AI.  ( 14 min )

Aston University has partnered with dementia care provider Lee Mount Healthcare (LMH) to create an AI-powered ‘Smart Care Home’ system.  ( 20 min )

The Access Group and Optum have been announced as the headline sponsors for Digital Health Rewired 2026, which takes place on 24-25 March.  ( 13 min )

The NHS has launched its first ever review to tackle health inequalities experienced by LGBT+ people, including access to mental health care, cancer screening and primary care services. The detailed work, announced today (29 July), will help the NHS understand how it can do more to meet the needs of LGBT+ people, including understanding barriers to accessing healthcare […]  ( 4 min )

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), of which WHO is a member, today issued a Food Insecurity and Malnutrition Alert for the Gaza Strip. The details are as noted below.  Key highlights  The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has issued a stark warning today that the worst-case scenario of Famine is now unfolding in the Gaza Strip. Amid relentless conflict, mass displacement, severely restricted humanitarian access, and the collapse of essential services, including healthcare, the crisis has reached an alarming and deadly turning point.  Mounting evidence shows that widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease are driving a rise in hunger-related deaths. Latest data indicates that Famine thresholds have been reached for food consumption in most of the Gaza Strip and for acute malnutrition in Gaza City. Recommended actions  End hostilities Ensure humanitarian access Protect civilians, aid workers, and civilian infrastructure Restore life-saving and multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance safely and with dignity Restore the flow of commercial goods and local production capacities. About the IPC The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is an innovative multi-partner initiative for improving food security and nutrition analysis and decision-making. By using the IPC classification and analytical approach, governments, UN agencies, nongovernmental organizations, civil society and other relevant actors work together to determine the severity and magnitude of acute and chronic food insecurity, and acute malnutrition situations in a country, according to internationally recognized scientific standards. The main goal of the IPC is to provide decision-makers with a rigorous, evidence- and consensus-based analysis of food insecurity and acute malnutrition situations, to inform emergency responses as well as medium- and long-term policy and programming.  ( 6 min )

GPs in Northern Ireland will begin collective action this week to push back over 'insufficient' funding, BMA leaders have confirmed.  ( 2 min )

Changes to the NHS set out in the government’s 10-year health plan could unlock additional funding for general practice, or lead the profession towards becoming a salaried service, the BMA has said.  ( 3 min )

GP leaders have handed the government an eight-week deadline to meet demands around funding, indemnity and GPs' role in neighbourhood NHS plans - warning that failure to do so could push the profession into a fresh industrial dispute.  ( 3 min )

GP leaders have handed the government an eight-week deadline to meet demands around funding, indemnity and GPs' role in neighbourhood NHS plans - warning that failure to do so could push the profession into a fresh industrial dispute.  ( 3 min )

A union is seeking a judicial review to challenge changes to the role of physician associates following the Leng review.  ( 2 min )

The trade union for physician associates (PAs) has announced it is seeking a judicial review after the Government accepted recommendations made in the Leng review.  United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPS) – which was officially recognised as a trade union by the Government – said it sent pre-action letters to health secretary Wes Streeting and NHS The post PA union seeks judicial review over Leng recommendations appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 10 min )

With junior doctors striking again, Dr Katie Musgrave explores whether the real crisis lies not in pay negotiations, but in the very foundations of the NHS Everyone’s talking about the junior doctor strikes. Aren’t doctors already well paid? How can the health service afford to pay them more? Isn’t the NHS becoming a black hole The post Is pay really the issue for striking doctors? appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

GP registrars have been encouraged to take part in the resident doctors strikes organised by the BMA across England this week. The union published new guidance advising GP registrars that they should not see patients nor perform administrative work on strike days; it also encouraged them not to attend their practice on these days, as The post GP registrars encouraged to take part in BMA industrial action this week appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

GPs in Northern Ireland will begin collective action this week, implementing measures ‘designed to reduce the unfunded work they carry out’, the BMA has announced.   Some of the actions which practices will take as part of this include limiting patient consultations, serving notice on any voluntary work and insisting on referrals for specialist appointments The post Northern Ireland GPs to begin collective action this week appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 7 min )

ARRS money should be moved into practice-level reimbursements to avoid GPs re-entering dispute with the Government over the 10-year plan, the BMA GP committee has demanded. In a letter to primary care minister Stephen Kinnock, GP Committee England chair Dr Katie Bramall also demanded the Government is ‘explicit’ in its preference for GPs to run The post BMA demands ARRS money be given to GP practices to avoid further dispute appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 10 min )

An estimated 8.2 percent of the global population, or about 673 million people, experienced hunger in 2024, according to the latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report published today by five United Nations specialized agencies.  ( 14 min )

As we mark World Hepatitis Day, WHO calls on governments and partners to urgently accelerate efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat and reduce liver cancer deaths. "Every 30 seconds, someone dies from a hepatitis-related severe liver disease or liver cancer. Yet we have the tools to stop hepatitis,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. Viral hepatitis – types A, B, C, D, and E – are major causes of acute liver infection. Among these only hepatitis B, C, and D can lead to chronic infections that significantly increase the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Yet most people with hepatitis don’t know they’re infected. Types B, C, and D affect over 300 million people globally and cause more than 1.3 million deaths each year, mainly f…  ( 9 min )

Reports on departmental spending over £25,000.  ( 3 min )

Reports on departmental spending over £25,000.  ( 3 min )

Reports on departmental spending over £25,000.  ( 3 min )

Reports on departmental spending over £25,000.  ( 3 min )

Reports on departmental spending over £25,000.  ( 3 min )

Reports on departmental spending over £25,000.  ( 3 min )

Reports on departmental spending over £25,000.  ( 3 min )

Reports on departmental spending over £25,000.  ( 3 min )

Reports on departmental spending over £25,000.  ( 3 min )

Reports on departmental spending over £25,000.  ( 3 min )

The annual flu letter describes the national flu immunisation programme and outlines which groups are eligible for flu vaccination.  ( 3 min )

North East and North Cumbria ICB has rolled out the Healthinote digital platform for patients living with chronic kidney disease.  ( 19 min )

An HSSIB investigation has identified risks to patient safety due to poor interoperability between digital systems in prisons.  ( 20 min )

Flo Health has denied claims that it unlawfully shared users’ personal period-tracking data with Meta for targeted advertising.  ( 13 min )

Malnutrition is on a dangerous trajectory in the Gaza Strip, marked by a spike in deaths in July. The crisis remains entirely preventable. Deliberate blocking and delay of large-scale food, health, and humanitarian aid has cost many lives.  ( 8 min )

Dr Sheila Paul is a portfolio GP who, among various other roles, has worked as a forensic physician for over 30 years. Here she shares what the job involves  How do I get into the role (including necessary qualifications)?  To go into clinical forensic medicine, you need to obtain the necessary qualifications from the Faculty The post Forensic Physician   appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

In the second part of our mini series considering how the 10-year plan will influence a new GMS contract for general practice, Anna Colivicchi looks at what it will mean for GP funding The Government has promised to shift resources from secondary care into the community, as part of its big ambitions set out in The post How will the NHS 10-year plan affect GP funding? appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 15 min )

An ICB has reversed its decision to transfer an APMS contract from a GP-led group to a private company.  NHS Sussex ICB announced its decision yesterday (24 July) following an independent review which found it had breached transparency rules during the contract bidding process.  The ICB had stated its intention to transfer the APMS contract for The post Panel sides with GPs over private company in APMS contract dispute appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 10 min )

A large ICB has chosen a number of hospital trusts to oversee the new ‘neighbourhood health service’ across its footprint. South East London ICB said that, following the 10-year plan, it has approved partnerships between primary and secondary care, called ‘neighbourhood health service integrators’, in four of its six boroughs (see box). The ICB’s plan The post ICB appoints hospital trusts – not GPs – to lead neighbourhood teams appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Case of the month – answers: In the latest in our series, Dr Keith Hopcroft asked what was the underlying cause in this patient with hypothyroidism failing to respond to treatment. Did you get the diagnosis? Answer revealed below! You review a 55-year-old woman who presented a few weeks previously with tiredness. She is on The post What was the diagnosis in this case of treatment-resistant hypothyroidism? appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

Community pharmacies will be able to offer flu vaccination for young children under a one-season trial this winter. Pharmacies that sign up to the advanced service will be able to offer flu vaccine to children aged 2-3 years from 1 October. The move is to try and boost uptake in this age group who would The post Pharmacy-based flu vaccine service for children to be trialled this winter appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

UK Biobank has revealed that over 100,000 participants have now undergone whole-body MRI scans as part of a large imaging project.  ( 19 min )

Our latest Movers and Shakers roundup features Dr Paul Rice joining Northern Ireland’s Department of Health (DoH).  ( 20 min )

The government’s planned overhaul of the NHS App could leave some people behind, a Brunel University of London professor has argued.  ( 14 min )

Exclusive: GP contract funding will rise by a further £123m in 2025/26 on top of the near-£1bn investment announced earlier this year, GPonline can reveal.  ( 2 min )

Writing for GPonline, health minister Karin Smyth says GPs will be at the heart of plans for a neighbourhood NHS - and hails additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) recruits as a step towards easing pressure and boosting access to general practice.  ( 3 min )

The GPonline team discusses the key news stories affecting general practice.  ( 2 min )

GP practices have warned patients of reduced capacity for routine appointments as registrars join a five-day strike by resident doctors.  ( 2 min )

GP practices have warned patients of reduced capacity for routine appointments as registrars join a five-day strike by resident doctors.  ( 2 min )

Details of the meetings held by the Interministerial Group (IMG) for Health and Social Care.  ( 3 min )

The Government has claimed that more than 2,000 extra GPs have been added to the workforce since last October, however this is only the headcount rather than full-time equivalent number. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) cited ‘Government action to slash red tape’ last year, referring to the extension of the additional roles The post Government claim of ‘2,000 extra GPs’ at odds with FTE data appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Speedy skins: The first in a new series of quick quizzes in dermatology asks – what is the likely diagnosis in this case of a woman with bilateral lower and upper limb rashes? AI was used to assist in development of this article, with thorough review by our medical advisors before publication The post What’s causing this woman’s chronic rash on her ankles, feet and wrists? appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 10 min )

As part of a portfolio career spanning 20 years, Dr Ellen Welch worked part-time as an expedition doctor, accompanying travellers on adventure trips. She told us what the job involved   How do I get into the role (including necessary qualifications)?  You require broad experience and training, but being a competent expedition member already is key, The post Expedition doctor  appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 7 min )

UK medicines regulators have approved an adrenaline nasal spray to treat anaphylaxis. The needle-free option can be used in adults and children weighing over 30kg, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said. Known as EURneffy, the epinephrine nasal spray delivers the full 2mg dose in one spray and can still be used if The post Nasal spray alternative to anaphylaxis auto-injector approved for use in UK appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 7 min )

GPs have been instructed to consider patients’ learning disabilities and neurodivergence before removing them from their patient list, following a change to NHS England guidance and a coroner’s prevention of future deaths report. The coroner’s report into death of a 33-year-old Devon man ‘in crisis’ identified his removal from his GP practice and subsequent placement The post GPs urged to take ‘additional considerations’ before placing patients on SAS scheme appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 10 min )

A study of 30 self-test health kits available on the high street has raised concerns over regulation after many were found to be ‘unfit for purpose’. The analysis showed a range of issues with test kits bought from supermarkets or pharmacies including poor or no information on when and why to do the tests as The post Commercial self-test kits ‘unfit for purpose’ and increase GP workload, finds study appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

Equality impact assessment of the use of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling for under-screened populations within the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.  ( 3 min )

Boost is part of Plan for Change to rebuild the NHS by shifting healthcare from hospitals into the community and ending the 8am scramble  ( 7 min )

Information on accessing healthcare for visitors to the UK from EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.  ( 12 min )

Equality impact assessment for targeted screening for lung cancer.  ( 3 min )

Find out how DHSC processes special category and criminal offences personal data in line with GDPR requirements.  ( 3 min )

Severity: Medium A critical authentication bypass vulnerability could allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to gain unauthorised access to user or admin accounts A critical authentication bypass vulnerability could allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to gain unauthorised access to user or admin accounts Updated: 24 Jul 2025

Two NHS hospitals have resorted to paper after an IT incident brought systems down in the days before the planned resident doctors’ strikes.  ( 20 min )

This Coffee Time Briefing covers an extension of a trial of drones to transport blood samples and funding for Digital Lifelines initiative.  ( 21 min )

The Better Meds electronic prescribing and medicine management solution will be rolled out at across 55 mental health sites in the UK.  ( 20 min )

Scotland's Hospital at Home service will expand to 2,000 beds by December 2026, following a £85m investment targeted at NHS frailty services.  ( 20 min )

GP leaders have raised concerns over payment mechanisms proposed in the 10-year health plan that could allow patients to withhold funding from providers.  ( 2 min )

The NHS is facing another significant round of industrial action by resident doctors this week, with thousands expected to walk out from 7am on Friday 25 July until 7am on Wednesday 30 July. Hospitals and local teams have been preparing as usual ahead of this latest round of strikes and have plans in place to […]  ( 4 min )

GP leaders have called for 'honesty' over the size of the general practice workforce after the government said it could not provide an accurate total figure.  ( 2 min )

Catch up quickly with our weekly round-up of key news stories for general practice.  ( 2 min )

Last chance to join us for a webinar focusing on chronic insomnia, initiated and funded by Idorsia Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd and intended for UK healthcare professionals only.  ( 4 min )

Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting has written to the Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB) to kickstart the pay review process for doctors two months earlier than last year.  ( 2 min )

The RCGP has opposed Government plans for acute and community trusts to run general practice, it has told its members. In a summary of the Government’s 10-year plan, the college said that while collaboration between providers is ‘important’, the RCGP ‘does not support trusts running general practice’. It added that any new models of neighbourhood The post RCGP opposes Government plans for trusts to run general practice appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

Copperfield on why the biggest winners from ME/CFS clinics might be GPs, not patients Well, that’s interesting. Apparently, those new neighbourhood health services they have these days are going to support the delivery of ME/CFS care. So let’s think. That means an illness of unknown cause, with no diagnostic test, no specific pharmacotherapy and no The post Neighbourhood ME/CFS care should energise GPs appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

Recognising the signs of sepsis continues to be an ‘urgent and persistent’ safety risk in the NHS, a series of reports have warned. The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB), an independent arm’s length body of the Department of Health and Social Care, found ongoing challenges in early diagnosis of the life-threatening emergency. It highlighted The post Sepsis continues to be ‘urgent and persistent’ safety risk in the NHS, reports warn appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

‘Stubborn barriers’ to accessing childhood vaccinations, including around booking a GP appointment, are contributing to the ‘worrying decline’ in uptake, paediatricians have claimed. A report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said some parents face significant barriers getting their child vaccinated which is contributing to growing inequalities in coverage. The current system The post Paediatricians blame GPs systems for poor uptake of childhood vaccinations appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 10 min )

There will be ‘no additional funding’ for pay increases for doctors in the next financial year, the health secretary has told the independent pay review body. Wes Streeting wrote to the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) yesterday to formally commence the annual pay review. He asked the new chair of the DDRB The post ‘No additional funding’ for 2026/27 GP pay uplifts, Streeting tells DDRB appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

NHS England has issued a procurement notice seeking to award a provider a contract to support greater “personalisation” of digital services.  ( 19 min )

Four NHS trusts plan to introduce an AI-powered dictation tool which automatically transcribes clinicians' notes during consultations.  ( 20 min )

The Digital Front Door platform for Scotland moves forward as CGI is unveiled as a Delivery Partner for NHS Education for Scotland (NES).  ( 20 min )

The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Timor-Leste as malaria-free, a remarkable achievement for a country that prioritized the disease and embarked on a concerted, nation-wide response shortly after gaining independence in 2002. “WHO congratulates the people and government of Timor-Leste on this significant milestone,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Timor-Leste’s success proves that malaria can be stopped in its tracks when strong political will, smart interventions, sustained domestic and external investment and dedicated health workers unite.” With today’s announcement, a total of 47 countries and 1 territory have been certified as malaria-free by WHO. Timor-Leste is the third country to be certified in the WHO South-East Asia region, joining Maldi…  ( 9 min )

How to apply to have nutritional or dermatological products reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS).  ( 5 min )

Commenting on the announcement from the BMA that resident doctors will go ahead with strikes from 7am on Friday 25 July until 7am on Wednesday 30 July, Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England Co-National Medical Director (Secondary Care), said: “Patients and clinicians from across the country will be extremely disappointed at the BMA Resident Doctors Committee’s […]  ( 3 min )

Letter about the pay round for the financial year 2026 to 2027 from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB).  ( 3 min )

Letter about the pay round for the financial year 2026 to 2027 from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to the Senior Salaries Review Body.  ( 3 min )

Letter about the pay round for the financial year 2026 to 2027 from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB).  ( 3 min )

Sets out medicines that can be moved to Northern Ireland to meet patient need.  ( 42 min )

The final delivery plan on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), focusing on 3 main areas to improve care and support for those with ME/CFS.  ( 4 min )

Support for local authorities to carry out the implementation for part 1 of the Care Act 2014.  ( 7 min )

The eMIT provides information about prices and usage for generic drugs and pharmaceutical products.  ( 4 min )

Dr L-J Evans on resigning from the BMA following its vote to prioritise UK graduates over international medical graduates You and I entered medical school having been told that, once qualified, we would have a ‘job for life’. As doctors, we hope to be respected and well-paid. Or at least earn enough to counteract the The post ‘Why I resigned from the BMA over its international doctors policy’ appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

The RCGP has warned of the need to ‘restore momentum’ to the MMR vaccination programme after reports that a child has died from measles. Lack of vaccination take up has reversed significant progress made on measles, which was classed as eliminated in the UK in 2017, the college noted. It has led to outbreaks and The post RCGP warns of need to ‘restore momentum’ to MMR vaccination after child dies appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

GPs are set to play a key role in delivering care for people with mild and moderate ME/CFS under a new delivery plan published today by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). NHS England is developing a ‘template service specification for mild and moderate ME/CFS’, which will be shared with integrated care boards The post GPs to support delivery of ME/CFS care under new NHS plan appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 9 min )

A revised contribution structure for NHS pension members for 2025/26 has been published. The changes alter the pensionable earnings bands that determine how much an individual pays into their retirement pot, bringing them in line with this year’s Agenda for Change (AfC)pay rise of 3.6%. The updated pay thresholds apply retrospectively from 1 April 2025, The post New contribution structure for GPs on NHS pension scheme appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 5 min )

GP practices in Cornwall experienced delays in receiving additional funding for newly registered patients, due to a Primary Care Support England (PCSE) issue, the LMC has said. All GP practices receive an additional 46% of global sum funding for new patients in their first year of registration, but the LMC in Cornwall said that ‘a The post GPs urged to check if they have received new patient funding amid ‘PCSE issue’ appeared first on Pulse Today.  ( 8 min )

NHS 111 Wales has introduced an AI-powered virtual assistant to help website users get accurate health advice more quickly.  ( 19 min )

Today's Coffee Time Briefing includes a look at report on digital transformation in the public sector and a new online tool from Pharmacy2U.  ( 20 min )

In a boost for joined-up care in Greater Manchester, the GM Care Record now supports radiology imaging for healthcare professionals.  ( 20 min )

Four AI technologies to help spot spinal fractures in patients undergoing routine CT scans have been conditionally recommended by NICE.  ( 20 min )

GP practices that employ physician associates (PAs) could face a legal challenge over changes to their role and title following the Leng review.  ( 2 min )

NHS Employers - This guidance has been written for local job evaluation leads and panellists to support their understanding and use of the updated profiles for nursing and midwifery. It provides an explanation of the updated format for profiles and provides further advice to ensure matching panels are able to use the profiles effectively and consistently. Guidance

NHS Employers - This guidance, produced by the NHS Staff Council, is for local partnerships to support the publication of updated profiles for nursing and midwifery and improvement of local job evaluation practices. Guidance

Local Government Association (LGA) - This short resource has been developed to support the occupational therapy workforce as part of council preparations for CQC assessment. It summarises the key principles of the Care Act 2014 and the universal and specific duties placed on councils as they relate to occupational therapy, with particular focus on prevention, wellbeing, and promoting independence. Where...

Local Government Association (LGA) - This resource was developed following consultation with principal occupational therapists (POTs) from the national and ADASS regional POT networks and incorporates learning and tips from POTs who have gone through Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment. Guidance

NHS England - This toolkit will help commissioners, service managers, health play practitioners and clinical leaders to design, plan and deliver high-quality health play services for babies, children and young people. The resources include guidelines, recommended standards and a quality checklist. Toolkit

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) - This submission to the government's 2025 Spending Review argues that there is an opportunity to start addressing some of the challenges within the nursing workforce and wider health and care system. The RCN ask that the 10-Year Health Plan and the forthcoming Workforce Plan for England, and the Spending Review are aligned in terms...

Cancer Research UK - This report finds that over the last 50 years, the proportion of the UK population dying from cancer has fallen by more than a fifth. However it also finds while people are now less likely to die from cancer, more people are likely to get it. And due to the UK’s growing and ageing population, the...

Institute for Fiscal Studies - The Spending Review 2025 will set detailed departmental budgets for most of this parliament. This analysis examines the key choices facing the government on spending in the NHS, health and care, pay and the public sector. Report

The Health Foundation - This analysis sets out the Health Foundation’s priorities for health and care investment at the Spending Review and options for how they could be achieved. It draws on evidence submitted to the Treasury in February 2025. It covers the investment needed in public health, the NHS and adult social care services; additionally, it sets out policy...

NHS Employers - This case study outlines how Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust used an innovative flexible working model to combat escalating demand for imaging diagnostic services. Case study

NHS Confederation - Primary care provider collaboratives are fundamental to the successful delivery of a neighbourhood health service. Their role will be pivotal in shifting care from hospitals to community, reducing health inequalities and ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality care. In partnership with KPMG, the NHS Confederation's Primary Care Network has been exploring what is needed to unlock...

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) - The Department of Health and Social Care commissioned Ipsos UK, in partnership with the Institute of Public Care at Oxford Brookes University, to conduct an evaluation of the Better Care Fund (BCF) Support Programme. The evaluation explores local authorities' perceptions of the design and delivery of the BCF support programme; the enablers...

Joseph Rowntree Foundation - This briefing suggests that people are unaware of the challenges of the social care system and thus are likely not preparing for a future in which they may have to meet significant care costs or care themselves. It found that only 19% of the general public correctly guessed that the cost of professional home care services...

Re:State - This report outlines a model that fundamentally changes the configuration of the modern hospital. The paper proposes a model that combines a radical increase in virtual care with renewed approaches at system-wide integration. It argues that instead of inefficiently relocating hospital staff and infrastructure to communities, hospital-level care should be delivered as a service through entirely new care...

NHS Providers - This report features four case studies demonstrating how trusts are successfully improving services for children and young people across a variety of sectors: delivering mental health support to children and young people in the community; collaborating at neighbourhood level for the benefit of children and young people; improving access to care through digital interventions; and using co-production...

lnstitute for Fiscal Studies - This report finds that Sure Start – one of England’s biggest early years programmes – generated widespread and long-lasting benefits for children. It improved educational outcomes and health, and reduced school absences and less severe special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Report Press release

IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science - This report profiles the current state of research and development in oncology, including key mechanisms, targets, and cancer types being investigated as well as pointing to some novel areas which are only just emerging. It also looks at metrics of clinical development productivity. Report More detail

International Longevity Centre (ILC) - This report warns that health systems in high-income countries are dangerously underprepared for the growing number of people ageing with HIV. Thanks to advances in antiretroviral therapy, people with HIV are living longer than ever before, but social, economic and health systems have failed to keep up. Report Press release