ICB · Primary Care Brief
ICB Primary Care Brief – Issue 8, 23 July 2026
20 items
In this issue
Medicines Management updates
- Ketotifen (Zaditen) eye drops unavailable until January 2027
Guidance Prescribing & medicines
In brief
A non-formulary item still prescribed by some BSol practices. Switch to a formulary antihistamine eye drop.
General updates
- Bacillus cereus contamination of healthcare linen
News Public health
In brief
UKHSA briefing after a large healthcare laundry found high Bacillus cereus counts in linen from three processing sites.
- NHS Central and South Genomics mailing list
News Referrals & hospital services
In brief
Clinicians can sign up for operational updates on genomic testing from the regional genomic medicine service.
- My Surgery Website (MSW) closing: practices must move their website by March 2027
Guidance IT, data & cyber security Action by: 31 March
In brief
The MSW GP website service ends by 31 March 2027. Affected practices must act to avoid losing their website.
- Navigating the Wait: support for families waiting for autism assessment (Pathway Project)
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
A BCHC, Sense and KRA partnership offering support to children and families waiting for health and social care services.
- Branching Minds programme for autistic adults and parent carers (BSol)
Event Public health
In brief
The second year of a programme supporting autistic adults, parent carers and professionals, with sessions into 2027.
- Community Urgent Eyecare Service: waiting room video
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
A video for waiting room screens promoting CUES and the eye symptoms to look out for.
- 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 season 2026/27: training slide set
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
UKHSA's training slides on the national flu programme, eligibility and vaccines, for staff delivering it.
- Pneumococcal vaccination for people experiencing homelessness from 1 October
Guidance Vaccinations & screening Starts: 1 October
In brief
From 1 October 2026, rough sleepers and people in hostels and night shelters are eligible for pneumococcal vaccination.
- Diphtheria and new arrivals: check immunisation status
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
All new arrivals should have their vaccination status checked and be brought up to date with the UK schedule.
- New Midlands Vaccination Team: where to send queries
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
From 1 July 2026 the East and West Midlands teams merged. Send routine immunisation queries and incidents to england.imms@nhs.net.
Safeguarding
- Female genital mutilation: four protocols for general practice
Guidance CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
Protocols for adult women and girls under 18 who have, or are at risk of, FGM.
- NHS England Midlands Safeguarding Shout Out newsletter
News CQC, regulation & governance
In brief
The latest regional safeguarding newsletter, also on the Midlands safeguarding FutureNHS workspace.
Events and opportunities
- Physical activity clinical champions: obesity and GLP-1 session, 5 August
Event Public health Event date: 5 August
In brief
A free one-hour PACC session on living with obesity, its health impacts and the role of physical activity alongside GLP-1 treatment.
- Physical activity clinical champions: children and young people session, 18 August
Event Public health Event date: 18 August
In brief
A free virtual PACC session on the evidence for physical activity in children and young people.
- Championing Movement for Health conference, 24 September
Event Public health Event date: 24 September
In brief
A Birmingham Physical Activity Clinical Champions conference at St Andrew's on making physical activity part of routine care.
- 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.
- 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.
8 items for other places (Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Solihull and the Black Country) or of no relevance to Birmingham practices are not shown.