Health landscape report: 31 March – 4 April

This report is a flexible summary, with the aim of sharing and highlighting a wide range of data and policy information relating to London general practice published in a given week. Where we view information to be of significant interest it is reproduced directly below the links to make the key points quicker to digest.  

Please feel free to share any useful stats/links you think we could include in future reports.  

Official bodies    

NHS Digital 

• All recent data releases can be seen here. 
• Consultation: 2025/26 NHS Payment Scheme consultation [31/3]. 
• NHS Standard Contract:Model contracts and contract variations: general ophthalmic services[1/4]. 
• Letter:Working together in 2025/26 to lay the foundations for reform[1/4]. 
• Guidance: Advice and guidance – operational delivery framework for integrated care boards for 2025/26 [2/4]. 
• Guidance:Guidance to integrated care boards and providers on developing outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) services [4/4]. 

Department of Health and Social Care 

• Press release: New services for patients under record pharmacy funding deal [31/3]. 
  • Patients to benefit from new services thanks to funding deal agreed between the government and Community Pharmacy England. 
• Press release:Half a million appointments and operations saved by ending resident doctor strikes [3/4]. 

UK Health Security Agency 

• Guidance: Examining food, water and environmental samples: healthcare settings [31/3]. 
• News: UKHSA launches call for evidence to tackle rising TB [2/4]. 
• Guidance: Mpox: guidance on when to suspect a case of mpox [4/4]. 

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency 

• News: Dame June Raine: How innovations are transforming regulation and speeding new treatments to healthcare [31/3]. 
• Guidance: Early Access to Medicines Scheme – Information for Applicants [1/4]. 
• News: MHRA showcases next phase of regulatory science to bring innovative treatments to patients sooner [1/4]. 
• Guidance: Established medicines: marketing authorisation application changes [1/4]. 
• Press release:Lawrence Tallon begins role as new MHRA CEO [1/4]. 
• Guidance: National assessment procedure for medicines [3/4]. 

BMA 

• Press release: BMA publishes shocking testimony from doctors of patient safety concerns caused by the NHS’s use of PAs and Aas [3/4]. 
• Press release: More than half of GPs in England missing vital pension data, making planning work impossible [3/4]. 
• Press release: BMA warns Government that delay to pay review process risks further dispute with hospital doctors [2/4]. 
• Press release: Resident doctors in England reach agreement with Government on reforms to additional hours worked and safe working practices [31/3]. 

Policy, think tanks, charities and representative bodies  

The Nuffield Trust 

• Deaths from drinking are at a record high: does England need a new alcohol strategy? [4/4].  
• This article highlights the rising alcohol-related deaths in England and the need for an updated national alcohol strategy.  
  • Rising Deaths: Alcohol-related deaths have increased significantly, with 8,274 deaths in 2023 from conditions caused entirely by alcohol, a 60% rise since 2006. 
  • Changing Drinking Patterns: While sobriety is gaining popularity among younger people, overall alcohol consumption has remained stable, with older adults now making up a larger proportion of heavy drinkers. 
  • Health System Impact: Older heavy drinkers face higher risks of cumulative alcohol-related damage and complex health issues, leading to increased hospital admissions. 
  • Barriers to Treatment: Older adults are under-represented in alcohol treatment due to perceptions and practical barriers, despite making up a larger share of harmful drinkers. 
  • Need for Updated Strategy: The last national alcohol strategy from 2012 is outdated, and there is a call for new policies that address the current landscape, including better recognition of harmful drinking in older people and potential measures like minimum unit pricing. 

• Tell me the worst: public opinion on the NHS leaves little choice but honesty for the government [2/4].  
• This article discusses the findings from the latest British Social Attitudes survey regarding public opinion on the NHS. 
  • Underfunding: Most people think the NHS needs more money. 
  • Financial Limits: The government faces financial limitations, making it difficult to increase NHS funding. 
  • Tax Support: 46% support raising taxes for the NHS. 
  • Efficiency Issues: Only 14% believe the NHS spends money well. 
  • Government Challenge: Balancing public dissatisfaction, financial limits, and honest communication. 

The King’s Fund 

• Can health services really solve the government’s growing benefits bill? [1/4]  
• This article discusses the government’s plan to reform welfare due to rising benefits claims, especially for mental health. It aims to make claiming benefits harder while offering NHS Talking Therapies and employment support. Concerns include long waiting times, increased poverty, and higher social care costs. Critics argue the proposals don’t address diverse health needs adequately. 
• What has NHSE ever done for me? [31/3]. 
  This article highlights NHS England’s impact on healthcare. Also raising concerns about the effects of NHSE’s abolition on these services.    
  • Improving GP Access: Online consultations and IT standards. 
  • Workforce Development: Training and planning for diverse healthcare professionals. 
  • Vaccination Programs: Supporting national efforts and new vaccines. 
  • Digital Integration: Developing the NHS app and AI pilots. 
  • Patient Safety: Initiatives like Martha’s rule. 

• Cents and sensibility: Micro financial incentives in the GP contract [27/3].  
• This article discusses how specific funding targets for GPs in England can limit local planning and create extra paperwork. While these targets have helped improve some health conditions, their overall effectiveness is mixed. The article suggests moving towards more flexible funding to better address local healthcare needs. 
• What should national policy-makers do to make care closer to home a reality? [27/3].  
• This article discusses how to make healthcare more community-based in England. It emphasises the need for strong political leadership, clear policies, and local innovation. It also highlights the importance of better funding for primary and community services, reducing reliance on hospitals, and addressing financial and regulatory barriers. The goal is to support local systems to successfully bring care closer to home. 

General Medical Council 

• GMC publishes submission into independent Leng review of PA and AA roles [2/4].  
• The General Medical Council has submitted its response to Professor Gillian Leng’s independent review of the physician associate and anesthesia associate professions in England. 

London Trusts    

Barts Health NHS Trust 

• Article: The NHS in London is improving mental health support for patients with major trauma injuries, their families, local communities and the staff who care for them, including The Royal London Hospital [3/4]. 

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust 

• Article:New Lancet Commission led by cardiology consultant calls for rethink on coronary artery disease [1/4]. 

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 

• Article: Teenage cancer survivor celebrates four year recovery milestone [31/3].