January is rarely a quiet month in primary care, but January 2026 has felt particularly intense for many. Between winter viruses, new national programmes, and ongoing workforce pressures, healthcare staff have been juggling high demand with limited capacity. This month’s NHS updates give a good sense of the wider picture — and importantly, what it might mean at practice level.

Below is a roundup of things that are likely to be in PM's in-trays, many of which the NHS has issued updates on. They are written with practice managers in mind, focusing on what the practical implications might be for day‑to‑day operations.

Winter Pressures and a Significant Norovirus Surge

Winter pressures hit early and hard this year. Norovirus cases rose by 57% in the week ending 11 January, and several hospital trusts declared critical incidents as wards filled up. Although norovirus is not usually dangerous for most people, it spreads incredibly quickly — and that has a direct impact on primary care.
What this has meant for practices:

• Higher call volumes from parents, carers, and older patients seeking advice.
• More staff sickness than usual, often at short notice.
• Increased pressure on triage systems as patients try to avoid A&E.
• More requests for fit notes due to prolonged symptoms.

For many practices, the challenge has not just been patient demand — it has been keeping the team healthy and maintaining safe staffing levels. Clear infection‑control messaging has been essential.

Chickenpox Vaccination Programme: A Major Change for Childhood Immunisations

One of the biggest announcements in January was the introduction of a routine chickenpox vaccination for young children. This is a major shift in the UK immunisation schedule and something many parents have been asking about for years.

Some suggested PM actions:

• Appointment capacity may need reviewing.
• Staff may need updated training and guidance.
• Practices will need to prepare clear messaging for parents.
• There may be an initial surge in queries.

Eating Disorder Early‑Detection Training for Schools and GPs

NHS England announced a new initiative on 20 January aimed at improving early detection of eating disorders. The programme will train teachers, school nurses, and GPs to spot early warning signs and intervene sooner.

Implications for primary care:

• GPs and nurses invited to participate in training.
• Practices may see more early presentations from concerned families.
• Safeguarding and referral pathways should be reviewed.
• Reception teams may need guidance on handling sensitive calls.

AI Notetaking Tools Backed by NHS England

NHS England has formally backed the rollout of AI‑powered notetaking tools to help reduce administrative burden on clinicians. These tools can transcribe consultations, summarise key points, and support accurate coding.

Things for PMs to think about:

• Whether AI tools could realistically save clinician time.
• Information governance requirements.
• Training needs for clinicians and admin teams.
• Budget implications.
• The accuracy of AI tools being used and safeguards to avoid mistakes

Waiting Lists Show the Second Biggest Drop in 15 Years

Despite winter pressures, NHS England reported a significant improvement in waiting list numbers — the second biggest drop in 15 years. This was driven by record numbers of patients being seen in secondary care.

Likely primary care impact:

• Fewer follow‑up calls from patients chasing hospital appointments.
• Potentially smoother communication between primary and secondary care.
• Continued need for clear signposting.

Winter Viruses Rebound After Early Flu Decline

Although flu admissions dipped early in January, other viruses rebounded. NHS leaders warned that “the worst is far from over,” and practices have certainly felt the ripple effect.

Operational considerations:

• Maintain robust triage processes.
• Continue promoting vaccination uptake.
• Prepare for fluctuating demand.

New Hospital Programme: National Audit Office Raises Concerns

A National Audit Office report highlighted ongoing challenges in the government’s plan to build 40 new hospitals by 2030. Issues include ageing infrastructure, safety risks, and the need for standardised designs. Why this matters for primary care:

• Pressure on hospital estates often pushes more care into the community.
• Practices may see increased demand for monitoring and follow‑up.
• Long‑term planning for community‑based services likely to be essential.

Predicted NHS Pay Rise for 2026/27

Early forecasts suggest a 3% pay rise across all NHS bands, with a possible increase of up to 3.2%. While the official Pay Review Body announcement is still pending, many staff are already asking questions.

What practice managers can do now:

• Begin modelling potential payroll impacts on the rise of the minimum wage, plus consideration of changes to national insurance and pensions costs. 
• Review budgets for 2026/27
• Prepare clear communication for staff.

References

• NHS England News Archive, January 2026
• BMJ: Flu admissions fall but norovirus rises (16 Jan 2026)
• Telegraph: Hospitals almost full over norovirus surge (22 Jan 2026)
• NHS Pay Scales 2026/27 Predictions (Updated Jan 2026)
• National Audit Office: New Hospital Programme Update (16 Jan 2026)