Letters and urgent communications 2025

Date published: 13 January 2025

Last updated: 22 August 2025

Advice from the Chief Medical Officer to HSC professionals for 2025

Documents

HSS(MD) 1/2025 - Extension of Seasonal Influenza Vaccination offer to all 50-64 year oldsAdobe PDF (220.91 KB)
HSS(MD) 2/2025 - Hernia MeshAdobe PDF (234.35 KB)
HSS(MD) 3/2025 - Twist and Shout - A review of the pathway and quality of care provided to children and young people aged 2-24 years who presented to hospital with testicular torsionAdobe PDF (560.63 KB)
HSS(MD) 4/2025 - MBRRACE-UK Perinatal Surveillance ReportAdobe PDF (257.39 KB)
HSS(MD) 5/2025 - MHRA Drug Safety Update - 1 receptor agonists potential risk of pulmonary aspiration during general anaesthesia or deep sedationAdobe PDF (161.79 KB)
HSS(MD) 6/2025 - MHRA Drug Safety Update - Valproate - Belvo, Convulex, Depakote, Dyzantil, Epilim, Epilim Chrono or Chronosphere, Episenta, Epival, and SyonellAdobe PDF (167.23 KB)
HSS(MD) 7/2025 - COVID-19 - End of Autumn/Winter 2024 programme and details of Sring 2025 booster vaccination campaignAdobe PDF (240.83 KB)
HSS(MD) 8/2025 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE - Prolonged-release opiods for relief of post-operative painAdobe PDF (136.52 KB)
HSS(MD) 9/2025 - MEDICINE SUPPLY NOTIFICATION-Desmorpressin 10MCG/dose nasal sprayAdobe PDF (168.61 KB)
HSSS(MD) 10/2025 - NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY ALERT – Discontinuation of Promixin (Colistimethate) 1-million-unit powder for nebuliser solution dose vialsAdobe PDF (192.09 KB)
HSS(MD) 11/2025 - Derogation of Clade I MpoxAdobe PDF (152.49 KB)
HSS(MD) 12/2025 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE - FEZOLINETANT (VEOZA): RISK OF LIVER INJURY; NEW RECOMMENDATIONS TO MINIMISE RISKAdobe PDF (234.64 KB)
HSS(MD) 13/2025 - MHRA LETTER - WINDSOR FRAMEWORK: INFORMATION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS Adobe PDF (229.75 KB)
HSS(MD) 14 2025 - MHRA Drug Safety Update - Short-Acting Beta 2 Agonists (SABA) (Salbutamol and Terbutaline) reminder of the risks from overuse in asthma and to be aware of changes in the SABA prescribing guidelinesAdobe PDF (238.55 KB)
HSS(MD) 15/2025 - Changes to Routine Childhood Vaccination Schedule from 1 July 2025Adobe PDF (236.58 KB)
HSS (MD) 16/2025 - Letter MHRA Drug Safety Update - Kaftrio (Ivacaftor, tezacaftor, elexacaftor) risk of psychological side effectsAdobe PDF (202.36 KB)
HSS(MD) 17/2025 - End of the 2024 25 Influenza Season and Related IssuesAdobe PDF (154.07 KB)
HSS(MD) 18/2025 - MHRA Drug Safety Update - Thiopurines and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy - 15 May 2025Adobe PDF (197.55 KB)
HSS(MD) 19/2025 - MHRA Drug Safety Update – Valproate (Belvo, Convulex, Depakote, Dyzantil, Epilim, Epilim Chrono or Chronosphere, Episenta, Epival, and Syonell▼): Updated safety and educational materials to support patient discussion on reproductive riskAdobe PDF (257.16 KB)
HSS(MD) 20/2025 - INTRODUCTION OF GONORRHOEA VACCINATION PROGRAMMEAdobe PDF (234.12 KB)
HSS (MD) 21/2025 - MHRA Drug Safety Update - IXCHIQ CHIKUNGUNYA vaccine - Temporary suspension in people aged 65 years or olderAdobe PDF (247.43 KB)
HSS(MD) 22/2025 - Potential supply distributions - Food for special medical purposesAdobe PDF (227.95 KB)
HSS(MD) 23/2025 - AUTUMN 2025 COVID-19 VACCINATION CAMPAIGNAdobe PDF (254.49 KB)
HSS(MD) 24/2025 - NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY ALERT – SHORTAGE OF BUMETANIDE 1MG TABLETSAdobe PDF (235.26 KB)
HSS(MD) 25/2025 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE - Abrysvo (Pfizer RSV vaccine) and Arexvy (GSK RSV vaccine) - be alert to a small risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome following vaccination in older adultsAdobe PDF (239.08 KB)
HSS(MD) 26/2025 - Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme 2025/2026Adobe PDF (475.23 KB)
HSS(MD) 27/2025 Introduction of Nirsevimab passive immunisation against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in at risk infants for upcoming 2025/2026 RSV seasonAdobe PDF (233.63 KB)
HSS(MD) 28/2025 - National Patient Safety Alert – Shortage of Antimicrobial Agents used in Tuberculosis (TB) TreatmentAdobe PDF (245.55 KB)
HSS(MD)29/2025 - Shingles Vaccination Programme 2025/26Adobe PDF (302.52 KB)
HSS(MD)30/2025 - Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV) Vaccination ProgrammeAdobe PDF (226.59 KB)
HSS(MD) 31/2025 - Diagnostics services and reporting of CJD cases and suspect cases arrangements for 2025 /26Adobe PDF (206.21 KB)
25 08 29 - CJD letter to neurologists from UK CMOsAdobe PDF (127.99 KB)
HSS(MD) 32/2025 - Confirmed influenza in Northern Ireland - NICE Guidance on use of Antivirals now APAdobe PDF (260.99 KB)
HSS(MD) - 33 /2025 - Paracetamol and pregnancy - reminder that taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe - September 2025Adobe PDF (220.01 KB)
HSS(MD) 34/2025 - The Human Medicines (Amendments relating to Hub and Spoke dispencing etc.) Regulations 2025Adobe PDF (221.08 KB)
HSS (MD) - 35 /2025 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE Med Safety Week (3-9 November 2025) A call to action to improve patient safetyAdobe PDF (237.51 KB)
HSS(MD) 36/2025 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE: Isotretinoin – updates to prescribing guidance and survey of servicesAdobe PDF (237.49 KB)
HSS(MD) 37/2025 - Introduction of Varicella to the Childhood Immunisation Programme (MMRV) - UPDATEDAdobe PDF (370.12 KB)
HSS(MD) 38/2025 Mesalazine and idiopathic intracranial hypertension - December 2025Adobe PDF (211.76 KB)
HSS(MD) 39/2025 - NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY ALERT – SUPPLY OF LICENSED AND UNLICENSED EPIDURAL INFUSION BAGSAdobe PDF (239.97 KB)
HSS(MD)40/2025 - PHARMACY FORUM NORTHERN IRELAND ENDORSEMENT OF THE UK CLINICAL PHARMACY ASSOCIATIONS HANDBOOK OF PERIOPERATIVE MEDICINES AND THE FACULTY OF PAIN MEDICINES' SURGERY AND OPIOIDS BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINESAdobe PDF (237.49 KB)
HSS(MD) 41/2025 - NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY ALERT- HARM FROM INCORRECT RECORDING OF A PENICILLIN ALLERY AS A PENICILLAMINE ALLERGYAdobe PDF (219.7 KB)
HSS(MD) 42/2025 - MHRA DRUG SAFETY UPDATE: Rybelsus ® (semaglutide tablets): transition to new formulation and risk of medication errorAdobe PDF (226.23 KB)

Help viewing documents