ICB · Primary Care Brief
ICB Primary Care Brief – Issue 2, 11 June 2026
26 items
In this issue
Alerts
- Oxybutynin 5mg tablets shortage
Guidance Prescribing & medicines
In brief
Oxybutynin 5mg immediate-release tablets were in short supply until about 31 July 2026. Guidance covers switching to modified-release tablets.
- Class 2 recall: ramipril 2.5mg capsules (Crescent Pharma)
Guidance Prescribing & medicines
In brief
A precautionary recall of one batch of ramipril 2.5mg capsules after a pack was found to contain 10mg capsules. For primary care clinicians.
General updates
- Manage patient registrations: new portal rolling out (TPP practices)
Guidance PCSE & patient registration, IT, data & cyber security
In brief
NHS England's Manage patient registrations portal can handle up to 60% of registrations. It's rolling out nationally, with weekly support webinars from Redmoor Health.
- Black Country Pathology system downtime, 20–21 June
News Referrals & hospital services
In brief
The BCPS pathology system was unavailable overnight on 20–21 June for an upgrade. Results were sent once it was back.
- Black Country Pathology: delays to faecal elastase results
News Referrals & hospital services
In brief
An equipment issue caused a two-week backlog in faecal elastase analysis at BCPS.
- UHB laboratory: minimum information on specimens and request forms
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
A reminder of the essential identification details that must be on every specimen and request form sent to University Hospitals Birmingham, or it may be rejected.
- Nutricia Homeward: deliveries only with a prescription from 9 June
Guidance Prescribing & medicines
In brief
From 9 June 2026, Nutricia Homeward delivers enteral feeding products only once a prescription has been received.
- GatewayC: new early cancer diagnosis resources
News Referrals & hospital services
In brief
GatewayC, the NHS-funded early cancer diagnosis resource, regularly publishes new "cancer keys" and courses for primary care.
- "Was Not Brought" and "Did Not Attend" briefing for practices
Guidance CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
A briefing for primary care on responding when patients, especially children, are not brought to appointments.
- Maternal medicine network webinar: medical problems in pregnancy, 24 June
Event Referrals & hospital services Event date: 24 June
In brief
A webinar by a consultant obstetric physician on investigating and treating medical problems in pregnancy, with case reviews.
- GP fellowships in breast care (West Midlands Cancer Alliance)
Have your say Workforce & employment Closes: 6 July
In brief
Six funded GP fellowships, two sessions a week for six months, working with secondary care breast teams.
- Paediatric breast lump pathway relaunched
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
The West Midlands Cancer Alliance relaunched its pathway for breast lumps in children and young people, with webinar slides and the PiP paediatric guidelines app.
- GP patient safety (PSIRF) programme: registration open
Have your say CQC, regulation & governance Register by: 7 July
In brief
A July 2026 – March 2027 programme run by Health Innovation Network South London to help practices and PCNs embed the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework.
Immunisations and vaccinations
- RSV: Green Book chapter updated (clesrovimab and adult risk groups)
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
The RSV chapter now reflects MHRA approval of clesrovimab and JCVI advice on adult risk groups.
- RSV programme: updated information for healthcare professionals
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
Guidance for staff delivering RSV vaccination to pregnant women and older adults, now including clesrovimab.
- Vaccinating people with uncertain or incomplete immunisation history
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
UKHSA's summary for practitioners, with a new supporting guidance document.
- RSV vaccination programme: new publications
News Vaccinations & screening
In brief
New RSV programme publications, plus an updated maternal vaccination slide set.
- Vaccination services: check you meet the core contractual standards
Guidance Vaccinations & screening, Contracts & funding
In brief
Practices should revisit NHS England's standards and core contractual requirements for vaccination and immunisation services and make sure they still meet them.
- COVID-19 vaccine supply survey
Have your say Vaccinations & screening Closes: 17 June
In brief
NHS England asked providers for feedback on the new provider-led vaccine supply model, covering ordering, allocation and stocktake.
- Annual flu letter 2026/27 amended
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
The national flu immunisation programme letter for 2026/27 has been amended. Check GOV.UK for the changes.
- Webinar: preventing and responding to measles outbreaks, 17 June (first in Issue 1)
Event Vaccinations & screening Event date: 17 June
In brief
National NHS/UKHSA webinar on measles epidemiology, inequalities in uptake and evidence-based approaches to outbreaks.
- Immunisations and vaccination QI forum, 25 June (first in Issue 1)
Event Vaccinations & screening Event date: 25 June
In brief
An online quality improvement forum for general practice on the vaccination programme, 12:30pm on Teams.
Safeguarding
- Frontline practitioner safeguarding survey
Have your say CQC, regulation & governance Closes: 3 July
In brief
Birmingham and Solihull practices were asked to complete the Solihull Safeguarding Children Partnership survey for all clinical staff by 3 July.
- Free training on non-fatal strangulation (first in Issue 1)
Event CQC, regulation & governance Last session: 22 July
In brief
IFAS introductory webinars (23 June, 7 July, 22 July) and an online module on recognising and supporting victim-survivors of strangulation.
- West Midlands SARC webinars: referrals and child sexual abuse examinations (first in Issue 1)
Event CQC, regulation & governance Last session: 8 February
In brief
A series of webinars on when and how to refer to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre and what child sexual abuse medical examinations involve. Sessions run until February 2027.
Events and opportunities
- NIHR event: becoming a principal investigator, 18 June (first in Issue 1)
Event Workforce & employment Event date: 18 June
In brief
An NIHR event at Edgbaston Stadium for anyone in the West Midlands who wants to become a research principal investigator.
10 items for other places (Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Solihull and the Black Country) or of no relevance to Birmingham practices are not shown.