ICB · Primary Care Brief
ICB Primary Care Brief – Issue 21, 22 October 2026
41 items
In this issue
Medicines Management updates
- PrescQIPP Medicines Optimisation Friendly Practice Framework – now launched
Guidance Prescribing & medicines
In brief
The new Medicines Optimisation Friendly Practice Framework, developed by PrescQIPP and endorsed by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), is now available for GP practices.
- Sharps collections for patients
Guidance Public health
In brief
Patients who use injectable medicines or other sharps at home will require safe and appropriate disposal arrangements for used needles, syringes, lancets, pen needles and sharps bins.
General updates
- Message from West Midlands Ambulance Service on receiving Electronic Patient Records
Guidance IT, data & cyber security
In brief
If a practice receives a West Midlands Ambulance Service Electronic Patient Record (EPR) for a patient who is not registered with the practice, do not return it by post .
- Safeguarding alert: ensuring sensitive information and Docman letters are hidden from online patient access (NHS App)
Guidance IT, data & cyber security
In brief
Practice teams are reminded to ensure proper use of online record redaction tools when documenting or filing sensitive safeguarding information.
- General Practice Annual Electronic Self-Declaration (eDec) 2026 Submission
Guidance Contracts & funding Closes: 23 November
In brief
The General Practice Annual Electronic Self-Declaration (eDEC) is a mandatory collection which all GP practices in England must complete. The 2026 submission is now open and is due to close on Monday 23 November 2026 .
- Change to reporting of lipid profile results
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
Message sent on behalf of the Biochemistry Department clinical team at Black Country Pathology Service to Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell and West Birmingham GPs and practice managers In line with national recommendations from HEART UK and the…
- Mobile Health Hub and Resources
Guidance Contracts & funding
In brief
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- Sharing views on One Health and Care
Guidance Contracts & funding Closes: 20 November
In brief
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- GatewayC newsletter
Guidance Contracts & funding
In brief
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Place updates – Birmingham and Solihull
- UHB Advice and Refer (A&R) Pathways – HIV
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
The UHB 'Advice and Refer' (A&R) pathways will include HIV medicine at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), starting on 2 November 2026 .
- Men's Cancer Awareness Event
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
Birmingham residents are invited to join the Cancer Man Van for an informal and pressure-free environment, specifically for men to ask questions and learn more about cancer signs and symptoms and speak directly to healthcare professionals.
- Depression Research and Advice Clinic
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
The Depression Research and Advice Clinic (DRAC) is part of the Centre of Advanced Learning for Mood Disorder Management (CALM) service.
- Referral criteria
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
Patients must: Be 18 years of age or older. Be registered with a GP in the Birmingham and Solihull area. Have a diagnosis of depression or receive treatment from a GP for depressive mood symptoms.
- How to refer to DRAC
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
GPs can refer eligible service users by completing the SpoA form and indicating that the referral is for DRAC. A poster for GP practices is available here , and a leaflet for patients is available here .
- The PURSUIT Study – Work-related Asthma
Guidance Public health
In brief
The PURSUIT study team in Applied Health Research at University of Birmingham is seeking primary healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists, ACPs and HCAs) to take part in a qualitative interview examining facilitators and barriers to identifying work-related asthma.
Place updates – Dudley
- HENRY Raise, Engage, Refer training opportunity
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
HENRY Raise, Engage, Refer training is aimed at frontline practitioners working with expectant parents and families with children aged 0-12 years.
Place updates – Walsall and Wolverhampton
- Regional Child Sexual Abuse Conference Webinars
Guidance Workforce & employment
In brief
Please see the attached information on the latest upcoming regional Child Sexual Abuse Conference Webinars, which are free to attend.
- Key Messages Summary Sheet – Primary / Secondary Care Interface Group Meeting
Guidance Referrals & hospital services
In brief
Please see the latest Key Messages Summary Sheet from Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust's Primary / Secondary Care Interface Group Meeting on 8 October 2026.
- Walsall Safeguarding Partnership – Information Sharing Duty Briefing
Guidance Public health
In brief
Hosted by the Walsall Safeguarding Partnership, this workshop taking place on 6 November, 1pm – 2pm , explores the implications of the new statutory Information Sharing Duty and what it means for multi-agency safeguarding practice across Walsall from September 2026.
- KMSAB Open Session: Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) 'Yared'
Guidance Public health
In brief
The Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board (KMSAB) would like to highlight that spaces are available for the following upcoming KMSAB Open Session: Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) 'Yared' on Tuesday 8 December, 6pm – 7.15pm , involving multiple Safeguarding Adults Boards.
Immunisations and vaccinations
- Improving flu vaccination uptake for frontline social care workers
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
Getting the flu vaccine each year remains the best way to help protect health and care staff, their families, and the vulnerable people they support.
- Reminder: Fluenz® Tetra
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
The nasal spray flu vaccine offered to eligible children, contains porcine gelatine. Practices should ensure that an appropriate alternative flu vaccine is available for children where Fluenz is not suitable or is declined.
- Pneumococcal Vaccination Programme Update
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
Pneumococcal vaccination programmes for infants, adults and individuals at increased clinical risk have new resources available, including the Supporting People Experiencing Homelessness Toolkit.
- MMRV Vaccination Programme Update
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
Practices are encouraged to review the new MMRV catch-up resources , which are available to support the identification and vaccination of eligible patients who may have missed routine immunisations.
- COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Update
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
Guidance for healthcare practitioners has been updated to confirm that Hipra BIMERVAX is supplied as a single-dose vial. Practices delivering COVID-19 vaccinations should ensure they are working from the latest guidance .
Safeguarding
- National and Local Child Death Bereavement Charities
Guidance Public health
In brief
Please see an updated document which outlines all of the national and local child death bereavement charities and their contact information, for supporting grieving families.
- Non-Ideological Extreme Violence (NIEV) Factsheet and Guidance
Guidance Workforce & employment
In brief
Sharing on behalf of the Non-Ideological Extreme Violence team: The Home Office has worked collaboratively with frontline practitioners and other government departments to develop interim guidance to support the management of Non-Ideological Extreme Violence (NIEV) concerns.
- Harmful Sexual Behaviour and the Simon Hackett Continuum and Response Tool (HCART) Pilot
Guidance Contracts & funding
In brief
Solihull is one of a number of areas across the UK participating in the Simon Hackett HCART Pilot, offering professionals an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of harmful sexual behaviour and improve decision-making when working with children and young people.
- Opportunities for autistic adults and parents/carers of children with autism
Guidance Public health
In brief
Please be aware of the free services for adult patients who have been diagnosed with or are waiting for a diagnosis of autism, or are parents/carers of children with autism.
- Well Path Project for Adults with Neurodiversity
Guidance Public health
In brief
The new pilot WellPath project is a collaborative vision for Health Equity from the NHS, partnering with Resources for Autism , Ways For Wellbeing UK CIC and Kapella .
Campaigns
- Flu Campaign
Guidance Vaccinations & screening
In brief
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- The Survey of Carers – for Dudley, Sandwell, Birmingham and Solihull
Guidance Public health
In brief
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Events and opportunities
- Sight Loss Awareness Training Cancelled
Event Workforce & employment
In brief
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have unfortunately had to cancel the upcoming Sight Loss Awareness Training. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank colleagues for their understanding.
- Possibilities Beyond Limits
Event Contracts & funding Event date: 28 October
In brief
Are you an aspiring leader?
- Cybersecurity Webinars for Primary Care
Event IT, data & cyber security Event date: 4 November
In brief
NHS England have teamed up with the City of London Police’s Cyber Griffin team to deliver a series of free cybersecurity webinars for primary care organisations.
- Cancer Care Review Training
Event Referrals & hospital services Event date: 16 November
In brief
Coventry and Warwickshire ICB are hosting a further two-day cancer care review training course available across the region for practice nurses on the 9 and 16 November.
- Free NHS training for General Practice staff – understanding Autism to enhance your professional practice
Event Workforce & employment Event date: 19 November
In brief
This face-to-face training held in Selly Oak is for clinical and non-clinical NHS staff. It is delivered by Resources for Autism and runs from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
- 27th South Asian Health Foundation (SAHF) Global Annual Conference
Event Workforce & employment Event date: 27 November
In brief
Taking place on 26th to 27th November at the National Conference Centre (NCC), Birmingham, this year's SAHF conference, Managing Complexity: diabetes, multi-morbidity, frailty , will feature inspiring keynote speakers, the latest clinical evidence,…
- Our Voices, Our Stories: supporting patients through genomic testing
Event Contracts & funding Event date: 4 December
In brief
Join NHS Central and South Genomics for an exciting webinar on Friday 4 December, 12pm – 2pm , where they’ll be launching a suite of materials, co-created with patient experts and healthcare professionals, to help those navigating the genomic testing process.
- Digital skills training – boosting people's online confidence
Event IT, data & cyber security
In brief
The Black Country ICB Digital Inequalities Team is excited to offer our digital skills training sessions to Black Country citizens.
- Black Country Training Hub Calendar
Event Workforce & employment
In brief
Please view the Black Country Training Hub calendar to see other upcoming training opportunities. ************************************************************************************** ****************************** This message may contain confidential information.