25 items

Medicines Management updates

1. Sodium valproate (Epilim Chronosphere) granules shortages

   Guidance Prescribing & medicines

   In brief

   Epilim Chronosphere MR granule sachets are out of stock until between August 2026 and January 2027 depending on strength. Don't start new patients. Follow SPS advice for existing ones.

2. Quinagolide discontinued

   Guidance Prescribing & medicines

   In brief

   All quinagolide strengths are being discontinued (75mcg by December 2026). Identify patients and seek specialist advice on alternatives.

3. Nifedipine 60mg MR tablets shortage

   Guidance Prescribing & medicines

   In brief

   Short supply until about 7 August 2026. Consider Coracten XL 60mg capsules, checking excipients and counselling patients on the change.

4. Class 2 recall: ChloraPrep 1mL applicators

   Guidance Prescribing & medicines

   In brief

   Becton Dickinson is recalling batches of ChloraPrep 1mL applicators because of a possible sterility breach. Check stock against the recall notice.

General updates

1. Patient list validation and FP69: NHS England letter

   Guidance PCSE & patient registration

   In brief

   NHS England's letter explains its list validation programme, how patients are identified, the safeguards in place and how FP69 processes are used.

2. iPlato SMS and MyGP app contract ending 31 July (BSol practices)

   Guidance IT, data & cyber security Deadline: 31 July

   In brief

   The iPlato contract ended on 31 July 2026. The ICB's notice covers alternative SMS and app tools, training and support.

3. UHB imaging appointments: text and email reminders

   News Referrals & hospital services

   In brief

   UHB imaging now sends appointment texts and emails, phased in from 14 July 2026 across X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI.

4. 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.

5. Breast awareness among Black and South Asian women: Breast Cancer Now toolkit

   Guidance Public health

   In brief

   A toolkit highlighting lower breast checking and screening among Black and South Asian women, with graphics for practice channels.

6. Cancer bus tour back in Birmingham (first in Issue 3)

   News Public health

   In brief

   Updated promotional materials for the cancer awareness bus touring Birmingham communities, with dates on the ICB website.

Immunisations and vaccinations

1. RSV national invitation campaign from 21 July

   Guidance Vaccinations & screening

   In brief

   NHS England invited unvaccinated over-80s eligible since 1 April to contact their practice for RSV vaccination, digital-first.

2. Children's flu 2026/27: CQRS participation sign-up

   Guidance Vaccinations & screening, Contracts & funding

   In brief

   Signing up on CQRS (participation only) confirms the practice will deliver the 2026/27 children's flu specifications. It's a new process this year.

3. MMR/MMRV call and recall for children aged 6–11

   Guidance Vaccinations & screening

   In brief

   NHS England is inviting 6–11-year-olds to catch up on missed MMR/MMRV doses at their practice, alongside the GP-led catch-up for ages 1–6.

4. Inadvertent vaccination in pregnancy

   Guidance Vaccinations & screening

   In brief

   UKHSA advice on pregnant women inadvertently given varicella, shingles or MMR vaccines.

Safeguarding

1. Maternal Mental Health Service: use the 2026 referral form

   Guidance Referrals & hospital services

   In brief

   The service is receiving inappropriate referrals that delay urgent care. Remove old forms from templates and use the 2026 version.

2. Level 3 children's safeguarding training (3 June): recordings and slides

   Guidance CQC, regulation & governance

   In brief

   Recordings and presentations on referrals, domestic abuse, non-accidental injury and child sexual abuse are available.

3. National Referral Mechanism pilot: 7-minute briefing for practices

   Guidance CQC, regulation & governance

   In brief

   NRM pilots in Birmingham and Solihull need GPs to share information for multi-agency panels. The briefing explains what practices must do.

4. Non-fatal strangulation: updated 7-minute briefing

   Guidance CQC, regulation & governance

   In brief

   BSol ICB's updated briefing on non-fatal strangulation, a strong predictor of homicide, including the new IFAS guidance for under-16s.

5. Child protection case conferences: 7-minute briefing

   Guidance CQC, regulation & governance

   In brief

   A short BSol ICB briefing on what child protection case conferences involve and what's expected of practices.

6. IFAS paediatric strangulation imaging guidelines (draft)

   Guidance CQC, regulation & governance

   In brief

   Draft IFAS guidelines for imaging children under 16 after strangulation are out for Royal College endorsement. Previous guidance applied to adolescents and adults.

7. Honour-based abuse and forced marriage: Roshni Birmingham support

   Guidance CQC, regulation & governance

   In brief

   Roshni Birmingham offers specialist, multilingual support for women and girls affected by honour-based abuse and forced marriage.

8. Domestic abuse and its impact on children: scrutiny survey

   Have your say CQC, regulation & governance Closes: 1 August

   In brief

   A Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership survey for health professionals on domestic abuse and its effects on children.

Events and opportunities

1. Level 3 children's safeguarding training (online), 17 September (first in Issue 5)

   Event CQC, regulation & governance Event date: 17 September

   In brief

   Virtual level 3 children's safeguarding training for primary care, covering RCGP requirements and local pathways.

2. Level 3 adult safeguarding training (online), 23 September (first in Issue 4)

   Event CQC, regulation & governance Event date: 23 September

   In brief

   Virtual level 3 adult safeguarding training for primary care clinicians and safeguarding admins, including how to make good referrals in Birmingham.

3. 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.

7 items for other places (Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Solihull and the Black Country) or of no relevance to Birmingham practices are not shown.