Primary Care Update UK: week commencing 15 December 2025

This Primary care update for the week commencing 15 December 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of the key pressures, priorities and operational challenges currently affecting general practice as winter demand remains sustained across the NHS. As activity levels continue to rise in the lead-up to the Christmas period, this Primary care update UK focuses on access, workforce capacity, system disruption, vaccination planning and the practical support required to maintain safe, resilient and effective primary care services during a particularly demanding time of year.

System pressure and winter resilience in primary care

This Primary care update UK reflects the ongoing and intensifying winter pressures affecting general practice across England. Primary care continues to operate at the front line of seasonal demand, with elevated levels of influenza, respiratory illness and wider winter morbidity driving sustained patient contact. National public health messaging continues to emphasise infection prevention, vaccination uptake and appropriate self-care where clinically safe, all of which directly influence consultation patterns in general practice.

For GP practices, this Primary care update UK highlights the continued volatility in same-day demand. Respiratory symptoms, acute infections and exacerbations of long-term conditions remain common drivers of urgent contact. These clinical pressures are matched by a parallel rise in administrative workload. Practices report increased volumes of fit note requests, prescription queries, results requiring action and follow-up contacts generated by previous encounters. This combination places strain on both clinical and non-clinical teams.

System-wide pressures further amplify the workload in primary care. When urgent and emergency care pathways experience congestion, practices often manage patients for longer periods while awaiting onward care. This reality increases the importance of structured safety netting, timely follow-up and clear documentation. In this Primary care update UK, the emphasis remains on maintaining defensible processes that protect patient safety while recognising the operational limits of primary care teams during winter.

Industrial action and indirect effects on general practice

This Primary care update UK also reflects the operational impact of resident doctors’ industrial action in England. While the action primarily affects secondary care, the consequences for general practice are immediate. Delayed outpatient clinics, postponed investigations and cancelled procedures frequently result in patients contacting their GP for clarification, reassurance or alternative advice.

Practices often absorb additional administrative burden during industrial action. Staff spend increased time responding to patient enquiries, managing uncertainty and attempting to obtain updates from hospital services with reduced capacity. Delayed discharges and constrained advice and guidance services can also extend the duration of clinical risk held within primary care.

From a governance perspective, this Primary care update UK reinforces the importance of consistent escalation and safety-netting processes. When patients report worsening symptoms or red-flag indicators, practices must act decisively and record clear advice. Ensuring that reception and care navigation teams understand local escalation routes, including urgent care hubs and extended access arrangements, helps reduce avoidable repeat contacts and mitigates risk during periods of system disruption.

Vaccination service specifications and forward planning

NHS England’s publication of updated service specifications for the 2026/27 COVID-19 and adult influenza vaccination programmes has direct relevance to this Primary care update UK. Although these specifications relate to future delivery, they inform planning decisions that practices must begin considering now. The documentation provides clarity on contractual expectations, eligible cohorts and delivery models that will shape vaccination services from April 2026 onwards.

A significant development highlighted in this Primary care update UK is the confirmation that individual practices may deliver COVID-19 vaccinations without being required to operate as part of a PCN grouping. While collaborative delivery remains an option, the increased flexibility allows practices to align vaccination delivery with local workforce capacity and estate constraints.

Practices considering in-house delivery will need to assess staffing availability, clinical leadership and administrative support. Cold chain management, booking systems and patient communications also require early attention. For PCNs and ICBs, this Primary care update UK signals an opportunity to review call and recall processes and test booking routes well in advance. Early preparation reduces the risk of operational friction that often generates avoidable patient dissatisfaction at the start of vaccination campaigns.

GP contract context and workload sustainability

The 2025/26 GP contract remains a key backdrop to this Primary care update UK. Practices continue to balance access expectations with workforce sustainability and quality standards. Although the contract includes an investment uplift, many practices report that rising demand and case complexity continue to erode the practical benefits of additional funding.

This Primary care update UK emphasises the importance of careful workload management. Access initiatives that are not aligned with demand control can increase downstream work. Extended access routes, digital consultation platforms and enhanced triage models all require robust processes to prevent duplication and excessive follow-up.

Advice and guidance services illustrate this challenge. When responsive and clinically useful, they can reduce unnecessary referrals and support care within primary care. When delayed or inconsistent, they increase administrative burden and prolong uncertainty for patients. Practices may wish to review how advice and guidance operates locally, particularly during periods of industrial action, and escalate concerns where the balance between effort and benefit becomes misaligned.

Community pharmacy pathways and Pharmacy First

Community pharmacy remains central to the primary care access model, and this Primary care update UK reiterates the importance of Pharmacy First pathways. National policy continues to promote the use of community pharmacy for minor illness, with the aim of reducing pressure on GP appointments.

Effective implementation depends on alignment at practice level. Reception and care navigation scripts must reflect local pharmacy capacity and eligibility criteria. Where patients encounter barriers or receive inconsistent information, they frequently return to general practice. These bounce-back contacts undermine pathway confidence and increase workload.

This Primary care update UK encourages practices to review patient feedback and staff experience of Pharmacy First locally. Sharing this intelligence with PCNs and ICBs supports realistic pathway design and improves system efficiency during winter.

NHS dentistry access and spillover into general practice

Limited access to NHS dentistry continues to affect primary care, as highlighted in this Primary care update UK. Patients unable to secure urgent dental appointments often contact their GP for pain relief, antibiotics or advice. These consultations place practices in a challenging position, as general practice cannot resolve dental pathology directly.

The risk of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing remains significant. Practices benefit from maintaining up-to-date dental signposting and clear internal guidance on managing dental presentations. Consistent messaging supports patient understanding and protects clinical decision-making during periods of sustained access failure.

Specialist referral delays and continuity of care

Extended waiting times for specialist services remain a feature of this Primary care update UK. Patients awaiting assessment often rely on their GP for ongoing monitoring and reassurance. This role increases consultation frequency and requires careful documentation, particularly where mental health or safeguarding concerns are present.

Primary care teams must balance empathy with transparency about system constraints. Clear records of discussions, interim support and escalation advice help manage risk during prolonged waits and support continuity of care.

How General Practice Solutions can support primary care

This Primary care update UK concludes by highlighting how General Practice Solutions can support practices during winter pressure. GPS provides scalable administrative and clinical support that helps practices stabilise workload during peak demand. Document processing, workflow management and clinical coding support reduce backlogs and improve turnaround times.

GPS telephony services enhance access by ensuring patient calls are handled promptly and consistently. Structured call handling and clear escalation protocols support safer navigation during periods of system disruption and industrial action.

Clinical coding and summarising support from GPS helps practices maintain data quality, compliance and reporting accuracy even when internal capacity is stretched. Flexible workforce solutions allow practices to respond to short-term surges without committing to long-term staffing changes.

Through these services, General Practice Solutions supports GP practices to remain resilient, compliant and patient-focused, reinforcing the priorities outlined throughout this Primary care update UK during one of the most demanding periods of the year.

Tuesday Talks: Your Weekly Insight into Primary Care

Stay up to date with the latest developments in primary care with Tuesday Talks — our weekly series for healthcare professionals. Each episode highlights current industry news, NHS policy changes, and what these mean for general practice.

We also showcase how General Practice Solutions (GPS) is supporting practices with innovative services designed to meet today’s challenges. Whether you need expert commentary or practical guidance, Tuesday Talks provides timely, relevant content to keep you informed and prepared.

Watch the latest episode below and stay ahead in a fast-changing healthcare landscape.

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In each episode, you will not only find clear, practical guidance but also step-by-step support to help practice leaders manage staffing pressures with confidence. The content addresses both immediate concerns, such as day-to-day rota gaps, and longer-term workforce strategies, while also offering insights tailored specifically to the primary care setting.

Finally, by watching the latest episode, you can access up-to-date HR guidance that is designed to strengthen and support your team, and at the same time build a more resilient workforce for the future.

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This week, you will discover a moving story of compassion and real-world impact; moreover, it serves as a reminder of the dedication and resilience at the heart of our sector.

Ultimately, Thoughtful Thursday is a must-watch for anyone who believes in the power of care.