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The PCN DES requires primary care networks to submit an annual workforce plan to the commissioner. We have created the Microsoft Form linked below to allow PCNs in Humber and North Yorkshire ICB to submit their workforce plan for 2026/27. The form should take approximately 10 minutes to complete and asks for the number of Whole Time Equivalents expected to be in post for each ARR role type.

The deadline for submission of this form is 31st October 2026.

The form is available here: PCN Workforce Planning Return 2026/27 – Fill out form

Following feedback from practices seeking additional support on the recent national e-RS changes associated with Elective Single Point of Access (SPoA), we would like to highlight a webinar resource developed by NHS England and available through the Humber and North Yorkshire Policy and Pathway Repository. The webinar presentation explains the SPoA model and includes screenshots showing what referrers can expect to see within e-RS as specialties transition to SPoA pathways.

Access the resources:

• Elective SPoA webpage: https://hnyppr.org.uk/w/elective-single-point-of-access-spoa
• NHS England webinar presentation: https://hnyppr.org.uk/documents/d/guest/spoa-webinars_sharing-version

We encourage practices to share these resources with both clinical and administrative staff involved in referral management, particularly those wishing to better understand the recent changes within e-RS.

GP practices must use formal digital referral pathways rather than informal signposting when sending patients to the NHS Pharmacy First service. Utilising integrated clinical systems ensures seamless care, patient tracking, and appropriate transfer of clinical responsibility.

🚨 Why Digital Referrals Are Essential

• The “Minor Illness” Rule: For the general minor illness pathway (formerly CPCS), an electronic referral is mandatory. Pharmacies cannot accept “walk-in” patients for general minor illness consultations without a digital referral.
• The 7 Clinical Pathways: While patients can technically walk in for the seven common conditions (sinusitis, sore throat, acute otitis media, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated UTIs), sending a formal digital referral ensures their appointment is secure, allows the pharmacy to manage their workload, and smoothly hands over clinical responsibility. It also allows the pharmacist to treat the patient under the minor illness pathway if the patient doesn’t meet the gateway criteria to be treated for one of those seven conditions.

💻 Integrated System Workflows

Both major GP clinical systems natively support the NHS Booking and Referral Standard (BaRS), allowing practice teams to send structured referrals directly into pharmacy workflows without using email:

• EMIS Users: Access via Local Services -> Select Assess to Refer. Do not use “Create Referral”.
• SystmOne (TPP) Users: Access via the integrated BaRS in-workflow referral tool.
• Backup Route: If your digital system encounters a temporary technical outage, utilize secure NHSmail as the recognized business continuity option.

NHS England have highlighted an issue affecting e-RS referrals from Systmone and EMIS practices from 9th October 2026. Please see below communication from NHS England:

Commissioners (to practices)

An issue was introduced in e-RS release 16.9 on the 9th of October, affecting the Clinical Information Summary when sent from SystmOne and EMISWeb.

Users are unable to view the Clinical Information Summary details in e-RS and an error will occur if trying to download the information as a PDF. This affects all referrals created since 22:51 on the 9th until a fix was applied on the 12th of October at around 3pm.

This fix prevents the problem for all referrals created after it was applied but does not correct already affected referrals. Please make your practices aware that they may be contacted by providers asking them to resend the information to e-RS.

NHS England continues to work on a separate fix for affected referrals.

The 2026/27 GP contract includes a requirement that patients identified by practices as clinically urgent must be dealt with on the same day. This is intended to support timely access to care for patients where delay may result in harm or deterioration. It is for the GP practice to determine which patients are clinically urgent. The Recording same day appointments for all clinically urgent patients’ guidance has been published to support practices in appropriately coding clinically urgent appointments.

Please note that this corrected Q2 Core LES Reconciliation Form should be used, rather than the one linked in the ICB Primary Care Newsletter of 08 October 2026.

NHS England have issued updated guidance for employers on cases of unauthorised, inappropriate and unjustifiable access to confidential patient information. NHS England Chief Executive Officer Sir Jim Mackey’s letter states that “in almost all cases, such unauthorised access to patient records constitutes gross misconduct, and that our actions as employers must now reflect the severity of wrongdoing when patient confidentiality is breached.” Read the letter and guidance.