ICB · Primary Care Brief
ICB Primary Care Brief – Issue 6, 9 July 2026
31 items
In this issue
Medicines Management updates
- Oxcarbazepine 150mg (Viatris) shortage
Guidance Prescribing & medicines
In brief
Viatris oxcarbazepine 150mg tablets were unavailable until about 17 July 2026. Prescribe the Trileptal brand instead and reassure patients.
- Synthetic cannabinoid (Spice) found in vapes
Guidance Public health
In brief
A young person was hospitalised after using a vape containing MDMB-4en-PINACA bought in Wolverhampton. Contaminated vapes may be in circulation, so harm reduction advice is included.
General updates
- Amber heat health alert and hot weather advice
Guidance Public health Until: 12 July
In brief
An amber heat alert (up to 35°C) was in force from 8 July. Older adults, young children and people with long-term conditions are most at risk.
- Sandwell and West Birmingham data missing from the Shared Care Record
News IT, data & cyber security
In brief
SWB Trust's system migration stopped its data reaching the Shared Care Record until around late July. Other routes, such as Cerner HIE in EMIS, still work.
- Fit note reform pilot: work and health support teams (expressions of interest)
Have your say PCNs & neighbourhoods, Workforce & employment Closes: 17 July
In brief
DWP funding for two multidisciplinary Work and Health Support Teams (one in BSol) plus a clinical lead role, to cut fit note burden on GPs and help patients stay in work.
- Rise in ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea
Guidance Public health
In brief
UKHSA has confirmed 20 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea in 2026, including some acquired in England with no travel. Follow guidance on testing and test of cure.
- Levemir discontinued: switching to Toujeo
Guidance Prescribing & medicines
In brief
Patients on Levemir should be switched to another long-acting insulin. Toujeo once daily at about 80% of the total daily Levemir dose is suggested, with close glucose monitoring.
- Concealed pregnancy: when to request a serum hCG
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
After a multi-provider incident, where pregnancy is still suspected despite negative urine tests, a serum hCG can be requested in rare circumstances.
- Hot weather can falsely lower potassium results
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
Temperature changes affect sample integrity and can cause pseudo-hypokalaemia in summer. Interpret unexpected potassium results with caution.
- Preventing unlawful access to patient records: letter from Sir Jim Mackey
Guidance IT, data & cyber security, CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
NHS England's letter to providers on protecting patient records from unlawful access.
- 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.
- 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
- Flu vaccination programme 2026/27 letter
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
The 2026/27 flu letter sets out three-year and annual uptake ambitions for the programme.
- RSV vaccination extended to 65–74s at risk from 1 September
Guidance Vaccinations & screening Starts: 1 September
In brief
From 1 September 2026, older adult RSV vaccination also covers adults aged 65–74 with chronic respiratory disease or immunosuppression.
- Children's flu 2026/27: GP service specification published
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
The GP enhanced service covers children aged 2–3 and those aged 6 months to 17 years in clinical risk groups from 1 September 2026.
- Vaccination quality improvement forum: slides and recording
News Vaccinations & screening
In brief
Slides and the recording from the latest immunisation QI forum.
- Latest developments in vaccines and immunisation procedures
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
UKHSA's regularly updated summary of vaccine and immunisation policy changes for practitioners.
Safeguarding
- Organised drug-facilitated sexual assault: briefing for NHS staff
Guidance CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
NHS England's briefing explaining organised drug-facilitated sexual assault and why it matters in general practice.
- Child exploitation audit: learning for primary care
Guidance CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
A Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership audit on exploitation and serious violence calls for more professional curiosity and better information sharing from primary care.
- Imaging after non-fatal strangulation in children: interim IFAS guidance
Guidance CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
IFAS has announced imaging guidelines for managing suspected strangulation in under-16s, with the full paediatric guideline due shortly.
- Historical forced adoption: supporting affected patients
Guidance Public health
In brief
Following the Government's formal apology, practices may see more people affected by historical forced adoption. Patient information and support agencies are on GOV.UK.
- Universal Family Programme: careers for care leavers aged 16–25
News Workforce & employment
In brief
Birmingham Women's and Children's Trust's programme creating career pathways for care leavers, with plans to include general practice.
- Right Help Right Time version 7 (June 2026): replace previous versions
Guidance CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership's refreshed threshold guidance is now version 7. Replace older copies and make staff aware.
- Harmful practices in Birmingham: VAWG awareness webinar, 14 July
Event CQC, regulation & governance Event date: 14 July
In brief
Birmingham City Council webinar on honour-based abuse and other harmful practices, marking the Day of Memory for victims.
- Survey: domestic abuse routine enquiry by health professionals
Have your say CQC, regulation & governance Closes: 1 August
In brief
Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership survey on routine and targeted domestic abuse enquiry and supporting affected families.
- Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams (MACPT) introduced
Guidance CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
A new national model making MACPT the first point of contact for child protection concerns needing a multi-agency response.
Events and opportunities
- Self-request chest X-ray pilot (East locality): GP webinar, 14 July (first in Issue 5)
Event Referrals & hospital services Event date: 14 July
In brief
East locality GPs were invited to a webinar on the self-request chest X-ray pilot at Washwood Heath CDC, which launched 3 August 2026.
- Basic life support and AED certification for appraisal, 30 September (first in Issue 4)
Event Workforce & employment Event date: 30 September
In brief
A practical BLS/AED course for GPs, trainees and nurses needing a certificate for appraisal, at the Mercure Birmingham West, subsidised NHS rate.
- Birmingham and Black Country Skin Club: dermatology in skin of colour, 15 July (first in Issue 4)
Event Referrals & hospital services Event date: 15 July
In brief
An evening of practical dermatology learning and networking over dinner for GPs, nurses and pharmacists.
- 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.
- 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.
11 items for other places (Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Solihull and the Black Country) or of no relevance to Birmingham practices are not shown.