26 items

Medicines Management updates

1. Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) is for type 2 diabetes only; oral Wegovy isn't commissioned

   Guidance Prescribing & medicines

   In brief

   Don't prescribe Rybelsus for weight management. Review any patients on it for that reason and manage them through local weight pathways. Oral Wegovy must not be issued on NHS prescription in BSol or the Black Country.

2. Flu antivirals can be prescribed without waiting for the CMO letter

   Guidance Prescribing & medicines

   In brief

   Since September 2025, eligible patients with influenza can be given antivirals at any time of year, without waiting for confirmation that the flu season has started.

General updates

1. Pharmacy, optometry and dental complaints move back to ICBs from 1 October

   News CQC, regulation & governance

   In brief

   The Office of West Midlands is handing POD complaints back to each ICB. Nothing changes for patients.

2. Digital and practice support services moving from MLCSU to local NHS organisations

   News IT, data & cyber security

   In brief

   With MLCSU closing, IT and practice support services are transferring to local NHS organisations. An update with FAQs is linked.

3. Cervical screening: transgender and non-binary opt-in guidance

   Guidance Vaccinations & screening

   In brief

   New operational guidance and resources on how transgender and non-binary patients can opt in to cervical screening.

4. Prostate Cancer UK: one-to-one support service for Black men

   Guidance Public health

   In brief

   A free, confidential phone service run with Black men, for Black men affected by prostate cancer.

5. NHS Patient Entrepreneur Programme: applications 19 October – 20 November

   Have your say Workforce & employment Closes: 20 November

   In brief

   A free 12-month programme for patients and carers developing healthcare innovations, with an information webinar on 15 October.

6. Grow Digital Health Midlands Enabling Fund (closed 4 October)

   Have your say IT, data & cyber security Closes: 4 October

   In brief

   Up to £20,000 for NHS and public sector organisations to deploy digital health innovations.

7. 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.

8. Penicillin vs penicillamine allergy recording: review by 20 November (first in Issue 13)

   Guidance Prescribing & medicines, CQC, regulation & governance Action by: 20 November

   In brief

   Run the ICB's EMIS search for patients recorded as penicillamine-allergic who may actually be penicillin-allergic, and review each record (TPP search to follow). It's a National Patient Safety Alert, so CQC may act if it's not done.

Place updates

1. Birmingham underserved migrants health needs assessment: interviews

   Have your say Public health

   In brief

   Birmingham City Council Public Health invited frontline staff to interviews and focus groups on the health needs of underserved migrants.

Immunisations and vaccinations

1. Winter vaccination resources for people experiencing homelessness

   Guidance Vaccinations & screening

   In brief

   UKHSA and Groundswell leaflets, pocket guides and posters to download or order.

2. UKHSA webinar: vaccination for people experiencing homelessness, 27 October

   Event Vaccinations & screening Event date: 27 October

   In brief

   Launching new materials and a multi-agency toolkit to improve vaccination uptake among people experiencing homelessness.

3. COVID-19 vaccination claims in CQRS: check indicators monthly

   Guidance Vaccinations & screening, Contracts & funding

   In brief

   Three automated and six manual payment indicators. Review both each month before declaring. Use manual indicators only for third doses, doses within 90 days, or INT.

4. COVID-19 vaccine product information and autumn 2026 poster

   Guidance Vaccinations & screening

   In brief

   Presentation, dosing and storage information for current COVID-19 vaccines.

5. Communicating vaccines webinar: winter 2026/27, 5 October

   Event Vaccinations & screening Event date: 5 October

   In brief

   UKHSA and NHS England webinar on winter vaccine communications, including misinformation.

6. Flu vaccination in pregnancy: poster

   Guidance Vaccinations & screening

   In brief

   A poster with five reasons for pregnant women to have the flu vaccine.

Safeguarding

1. New statutory duty to share information about children and young people

   Guidance CQC, regulation & governance, IT, data & cyber security

   In brief

   Since 30 September 2026, GP practices have a legal duty to share information proactively to safeguard children, including at early-help stage. Consent isn't needed where sharing is lawful and proportionate.

Events and opportunities

1. Cyber security webinars for primary care, 4 and 24 November

   Event IT, data & cyber security Last session: 24 November

   In brief

   NHS England and City of London Police Cyber Griffin webinars on current threats and the Data Security and Protection Toolkit.

2. Sight loss awareness training (first in Issue 17)

   Event Workforce & employment

   In brief

   Training for patient-facing staff on supporting patients who are blind or partially sighted.

3. Possibilities Beyond Limits leadership programme: apply by 28 October (first in Issue 17)

   Have your say Workforce & employment Closes: 28 October

   In brief

   A programme to help underrepresented staff (Black, Asian, ethnically diverse, disabled and neurodiverse) reach band 8a+ leadership roles.

4. South Asian Health Foundation conference, Birmingham, 26–27 November (first in Issue 17)

   Event Workforce & employment Event date: 26 November

   In brief

   The SAHF annual conference on diabetes, multimorbidity and frailty at the ICC/NCC.

5. Making Research Count webinars on social care, 6 and 15 October (first in Issue 16)

   Event CQC, regulation & governance Last session: 15 October

   In brief

   Webinars on intergenerational trauma from gender-based violence, and on "cuckooing" in domestic abuse.

6. EMIS winter pressures webinars, 20 and 22 October (first in Issue 16)

   Event IT, data & cyber security Event date: 20 October

   In brief

   Optum/EMIS webinars on capacity planning, slot creation and reporting ahead of winter.

7. Cancer care review training for practice nurses, 9 and 16 November (first in Issue 16)

   Event Workforce & employment Last session: 16 November

   In brief

   A two-day course from Coventry and Warwickshire ICB, open to practice nurses across the West Midlands.

8. 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.

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