ICB · Primary Care Brief
ICB Primary Care Brief – Issue 14, 3 September 2026
25 items
In this issue
Medicines Management updates
- Ofloxacin 400mg tablets unavailable until late October 2026
Guidance Prescribing & medicines
In brief
Specialist-recommended antibiotic. Seek microbiology or specialist advice on alternatives.
- Clobazam (Frisium) 10mg tablets: limited supply
Guidance Prescribing & medicines
In brief
The Frisium brand is short until about 9 October 2026. Clobazam is an MHRA category 1 antiepileptic, so take care when switching brands.
General updates
- Changes to the NHS-to-NHS quality concerns process
News CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
The cluster ICBs are aligning how quality concerns between NHS organisations are raised and handled.
- Community diagnostic centres in Birmingham and Solihull: promotional videos
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
Short videos showing patients what community diagnostic centres offer, for use in practices.
- My Perfect Appointment webinar, 1 October
Event Referrals & hospital services Event date: 1 October
In brief
A webinar for primary care staff on the My Perfect Appointment approach.
- Cancer bus touring Birmingham in September (first in Issue 13)
News Public health
In brief
Updated promotional materials for the cancer awareness bus visiting Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull.
Place updates
- Long COVID peer support group in Birmingham
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
An in-person monthly group at Sense for people living with long COVID.
- One-stop asthma clinic for children in East Birmingham
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
A Birmingham Children's Hospital clinic at Washwood Heath that tests, diagnoses and treats children with breathing problems in one appointment.
Immunisations and vaccinations
- Recording flu vaccinations for people experiencing homelessness
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
GP guidance on recording seasonal vaccinations has been updated for the new homelessness cohort from 1 October 2026.
- Winter 2026 vaccination training: weekly drop-ins instead of webinars
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
NHS England is running weekly drop-in sessions instead of formal training webinars. Dates are on the V&S FutureNHS calendar.
- Autumn 2026 COVID-19 programme: provider support sessions (first in Issue 12)
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
The provider-led supply model continues. Support sessions cover FDP ordering and allocation for the autumn programme.
- Record a Vaccination Service available for PCN-collaborating practices
Guidance Vaccinations & screening, PCNs & neighbourhoods
In brief
From autumn/winter 2026/27, GP teams delivering seasonal vaccinations together under the PCN DES can use RAVS, if certain conditions are met.
- Flu: invitation letter template for at-risk patients and carers (first in Issue 9)
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
Under 40% of at-risk and immunosuppressed people across the cluster had flu vaccine in 2025. A GOV.UK letter template and toolkit help practices invite them.
- Publish National Booking Service capacity for vaccination appointments
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
Practices using the NBS should publish appointments in Manage Your Appointments for all relevant cohorts.
Safeguarding
- Child protection conferences being observed by researchers
News CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
King's College London researchers are observing Birmingham Children's Trust case conferences to compare face-to-face, hybrid and virtual formats.
- Adolescent suicide: reference guide for practitioners
Guidance CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
A practical guide on recognising and responding to suicide risk in adolescents, a leading cause of death in serious safeguarding incidents.
- IRIS domestic abuse referrals: waiting list
Guidance CQC, regulation & governance, Referrals & hospital services
In brief
Birmingham and Solihull Women's Aid's IRIS service currently has a waiting list because of high demand from practices.
- Introduction to child exploitation (BSCP virtual training), 13 October
Event CQC, regulation & governance Event date: 13 October
In brief
A multi-agency course on identifying and responding to child exploitation.
- Com networks: a high safeguarding concern (first in Issue 13)
Guidance CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
Online "Com" networks are involved in grooming, sextortion and extreme violence, and are drawing in young people. Training dates are included.
Events and opportunities
- SEND education event (BSol), 9 September (first in Issue 13)
Event CQC, regulation & governance Event date: 9 September
In brief
A lunchtime session on Education, Health and Care Plans, the tribunal process and the GP role in SEND.
- Preconception health and alcohol: online spotlight, 16 September (first in Issue 13)
Event Public health Event date: 16 September
In brief
An OHID and NHS England session on preconception health and foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
- Preventing child sexual abuse: Lucy Faithfull Foundation session, 30 September (first in Issue 13)
Event CQC, regulation & governance Event date: 30 September
In brief
An introduction to Stop It Now! and practical approaches to preventing child sexual abuse.
- NSPCC: recognising and responding to child sexual abuse (first in Issue 12)
Event CQC, regulation & governance Event date: 22 September
In brief
NSPCC sessions on spotting signs of hidden child sexual abuse, with an updated statistics briefing.
- Prostate Cancer UK webinar: early detection and Black health equity, 24 September (first in Issue 10)
Event Referrals & hospital services Event date: 24 September
In brief
A lunchtime webinar on prostate cancer early detection and inequalities in the West Midlands.
- West Midlands SARC webinar, 10 November (first in Issue 12)
Event CQC, regulation & governance Event date: 10 November
In brief
When and how to refer to the SARC, child sexual abuse examinations, and support from Black Country Women's Aid.
15 items for other places (Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Solihull and the Black Country) or of no relevance to Birmingham practices are not shown.