ICB · Primary Care Brief
ICB Primary Care Brief – Issue 3, 19 June 2026
24 items
In this issue
Medicines Management updates
- Prednisolone 1mg gastro-resistant tablets shortage
Guidance Prescribing & medicines
In brief
Don't start new patients on prednisolone 1mg GR tablets. Review existing patients and use plain 1mg tablets, the local formulary choice.
- Flumetasone/clioquinol ear drops unavailable until December 2026
Guidance Prescribing & medicines
In brief
Don't start new patients on these ear drops. Use an alternative combination from the SPS Medicines Supply Tool, in line with the local formulary.
General updates
- National Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak: UKHSA briefing
News Public health
In brief
UKHSA is investigating a national cluster of Salmonella Enteritidis cases in England and Scotland. A briefing note is available.
- Cancer bus tour back in Birmingham
News Public health
In brief
Updated promotional materials for the cancer awareness bus touring Birmingham communities, with dates on the ICB website.
- Black Country Pathology system downtime, 20–21 June (first in Issue 2)
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: no more culture for whooping cough
News Referrals & hospital services
In brief
From 5 May 2026, BCPS no longer offers culture for Bordetella pertussis.
- Walk-in blood tests for South Birmingham and Solihull patients
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
InHealth runs an appointment-free community phlebotomy service at two diagnostic centres, open to registered patients aged 16+ from South Birmingham and Solihull practices.
- Cyber security: fake AI and PDF apps hiding malware
Guidance IT, data & cyber security
In brief
There's been a sharp rise in malware disguised as genuine apps, especially PDF converters. Only install approved software and be wary of AI-themed tools.
- Free Barnardo's autism training for professionals in Birmingham
Event Public health
In brief
Birmingham Children's Trust offers an eight-session Barnardo's Cygnet course for professionals supporting families of children with autism.
- GatewayC: new early cancer diagnosis resources (first in Issue 2)
News Referrals & hospital services
In brief
GatewayC, the NHS-funded early cancer diagnosis resource, regularly publishes new "cancer keys" and courses for primary care.
- Webinar: Pharmacy First referrals from EMIS and SystmOne, 26 June
Event Referrals & hospital services Event date: 26 June
In brief
How to make electronic referrals to community pharmacy and find reports of rejected referrals, with local good practice.
- Webinar: non-specific symptoms (cancer) pathway, 17 July
Event Referrals & hospital services Event date: 17 July
In brief
A 30-minute update on the Non-Specific Symptoms pathway for patients with vague symptoms that might be cancer.
- HMPPS Think Child campaign, 29 June – 2 July
Event CQC, regulation & governance Event date: 2 July
In brief
A week of free online events on children affected by parental imprisonment.
Immunisations and vaccinations
- One-off MenB vaccination for young people
News Vaccinations & screening
In brief
A two-dose MenB offer for young people before the autumn, expected to be delivered mainly through community pharmacy.
- Flu programme 2026/27: pharmacies can vaccinate more children
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
From 1 October 2026 community pharmacies can vaccinate 2–3-year-olds and at-risk children, and from 1 December school-age children who missed school vaccination. People experiencing homelessness are added to the programme.
- 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
- Bruising in children: updated non-accidental injury pathway for BSol practices
Guidance CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
The updated pathway for suspected non-accidental injury in children is on Clarity TeamNet, the Practice Index Hub and the ICB clinical pathways page.
- Child sexual abuse pathway and anogenital warts pathway for BSol practices
Guidance CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
A new pathway for children who disclose, or are suspected of experiencing, sexual abuse, alongside the 2024 anogenital warts pathway.
- Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board newsletter
News CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
The latest newsletter from the Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board.
- Drowning Prevention Week: water safety resources for families
Guidance Public health
In brief
The Child Accident Prevention Trust's free water safety tips and resources to share with families.
- Frontline practitioner safeguarding survey (first in Issue 2)
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.
Events and opportunities
- GP fellowships in breast care (West Midlands Cancer Alliance) (first in Issue 2)
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.
- GP patient safety (PSIRF) programme: registration open (first in Issue 2)
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.
- Maternal medicine network webinar: medical problems in pregnancy, 24 June (first in Issue 2)
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.
15 items for other places (Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Solihull and the Black Country) or of no relevance to Birmingham practices are not shown.