What's New Bulletin 249 - 22 May 2025
This is edition 249 of the provider bulletin, containing information on guidance, procedures and new initiatives. Very urgent or high priority communications may still be issued on an ad hoc basis, but we will try to keep these to a minimum
1. Birmingham City Council - CareMatch Portal Key Messages (Information for Contracted Providers)
2. REMINDER Birmingham City Council - Dementia Action Week 19-25 May 2025 Campaign (Information for all Birmingham Providers)
3. Capacity Tracker Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Updates (Information for all Providers)
4. Care Quality Commission (CQC) Update on Their Current Scoring Approach (Information for all Providers)
5. REMINDER Care Quality Commission (CQC) Update - Use of Wheelchairs in Care Homes – Survey DEADLINE 26 May 2025 (Information for all Care Home Providers)
6. REMINDER Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) NHS Foundation Trust - Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) - Care Home Champion Awards nominations – 2 June 2025 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
7. West Midlands International Recruitment update - Programme E-bulletin, webinars and Safeguarding Directory (All West Midlands Providers)
8. REMINDER NHS Birmingham and Solihull (BSol) Training Hub – May 2025 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
9. REMINDER Clouds End – Free Multi Agency Hoarding Awareness Training 28 May 2025 (Information for all Providers)
10. Registered Managers Forum and Skills for Care: Working together with Registered Managers in Solihull: Scheduled meetings for 2025-2026 (Information for all Solihull Care Home Providers)
1. Birmingham City Council - CareMatch Portal Key Messages (Information for Contracted Providers)
Tip for updating passwords that are due for renewal – CareMatch Portal will now ask Users to reset their passwords every 90 days. Please be aware that individual browser settings may auto-populate new password fields with passwords saved for other sites. To avoid difficulty logging in following a password reset, please delete all auto filled password fields and type in your new password from scratch.
2. REMINDER Birmingham City Council - Dementia Action Week 19-25 May 2025 Campaign (Information for all Birmingham Providers)
Dementia Action Week starts from 19-25 May 2025. This year the focus remains on raising awareness of dementia, especially the importance of an early diagnosis, recognising the common symptoms of dementia, and tips to help someone talk to their GP.
Download Alzheimer’s Society information of dementai in the links below:
checklist for dementia symptoms
Why getting a dementia diagnosis is important
Dementia is not a natural part of ageing. If someone is worried about their memory, speak to their GP. A diagnosis can help get the right treatment and support, whether they have dementia or not. Alzheimer’s Society has information on the benefits of speaking to a GP and getting a diagnosis.
Find out why it is important to talk to your GP
helpful tips for talking to your GP from Alzheimer's Society
There are lots of free activities during Dementia Action Week for more information visit the Birmingham City Council Dementia website below:
Please share with colleagues and Citizens.
3. Capacity Tracker Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Updates (Information for all Providers)
Please find below Department of Health and Social Care a link to Capacity Tracker updates to be implemented on Wednesday, 28 May 2025.
What’s Coming to Capacity Tracker: May 2025.pdf
For support with the Capacity Tracker, please see details below:
For system support and guidance - please contact NECS Capacity Tracker Support Centre - 0191 691 3729 or necsu.capacitytracker@nhs.net (We are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, excluding public holidays)
Changing registration, closing, change of ownership – please contact the CQC - T: 03000 616161, E: enquiries@cqc.org.uk, CQC Provider Portal (They are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm, excluding public holidays)
If you receive an enforcement notice – please contact the NHS Business Services Authority Enforcement Team (NHSBSA) – T: 0300 330 2088, E: enforcement@nhsbsa.nhs.uk (They are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm
4. Care Quality Commission (CQC) Update on Their Current Scoring Approach (Information for all Providers)
Since 2 December 2024, the CQC no longer score and report findings for registered health and care providers at evidence category level – they now only score at quality statement level. Your draft assessment report may show some changes to the way they use scoring in their IT system to produce a rating. The CQC want to assure providers they have not changed their overall assessment method as set out in current guidance (see link below)
The IT system used has not developed at the same pace as their methods and requires them to work in a specific way. Until this can be addressed, they have implemented a temporary IT functional workaround process. This is essential to enable them to progress through the system to produce the report. The way they carry out the assessment itself is the same – but how they record the information in their system and the way the draft report is presented is different. They will continue using this approach while longer term improvements to their assessment approach and technology are underway.
CQC inspectors are receiving more training and support on working in this way, so they can publish more assessments. Please use the link below for further information about this update and your draft report.
Update to our current scoring approach - Care Quality Commission
5. REMINDER Care Quality Commission (CQC) Update - Use of Wheelchairs in Care Homes – Survey DEADLINE 26 May 2025 (Information for all Care Home Providers)
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and CQC, with input from other relevant organisations, are working together to understand how they can better support the adult social care sector in the safe use of wheelchairs.
Wheelchairs are essential mobility aids that can significantly improve the quality of life for many residents in care homes and nursing homes. However, their safe and effective use depends on staff having the appropriate knowledge and training.
Your participation in this survey using the link below will help the CQC understand what information or guidelines and/or support will support staff to use wheelchairs safely in care settings. It should take about 5 minutes to complete.
6. REMINDER Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) NHS Foundation Trust - Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) - Care Home Champion Awards nominations – 2 June 2025 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
IPC Care Home Champion Awards nominations are now open
IPC are looking for that individual or team who’ve really taken on the role of the IPC Champion after completing the IPC Champions Training
Do you have colleagues who’ve demonstrated IPC excellence which deserves to be acknowledged/recognised?
Let IPC know why the individual or team you’ve put forward should scoop this year’s award in no more than 300 words.
Click here to complete the nomination form
or send them directly via bchc.ipcdata1@nhs.net no later than Monday, 2 June 2025.
7. West Midlands International Recruitment update - Programme E-bulletin, webinars and Safeguarding Directory (All West Midlands Providers)
Please see the link to the West Midlands Regional Partnership May 2025 E-bulletin containing programme updates, local information and signposting to support international care workers and care providers -
Further information about this subject has been circulated to providers. If you don’t have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk. This includes a schedule of Legal and HR International Recruitment webinars for June, July and August. These are delivered by solicitors, Lester Aldridge in partnership with West Midlands Employers (WME).
Finally, the West Midlands ADASS is pleased to announce the launch of their new Directory for Safeguarding and Wellbeing Services, featuring key national services and councils in the West Midlands. This provides information about a range of services from preventing ill health, to getting information about abuse and crime. There are also organisations that provide support to people directly, including those whose behaviour may be causing harm to others. It will help anyone who needs to find support for others (or themselves) particularly if they have been affected by any type of crime. You can access the Directory via WM-ADASS here:
https://www.wm-adass.org.uk/media/wvwh0uji/wm-safeguarding-wellbeing-directory-29th-april-2025.pdf
8. REMINDER NHS Birmingham and Solihull (BSol) Training Hub – May 2025 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
The Birmingham and Solihull Training Hub Website is for those working in a primary or social care role in the Solihull / Birmingham area. The information is for students looking for support with career development or a visitor wanting to find out more.
Please use this link for training, further information and booking
Social Care – BSol Training hub
All training events are listed in the calendar section. You can also contact the training hub by email bsol.traininghub@nhs.net or phone: 0121 483 2128.
The next sessions are:
23 May 2025 - Support to Care Homes Team Training – Falls 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
29 May 2025 - Positive Behaviour Support 10:00 am -2:00 pm
9. REMINDER Clouds End – Free Multi Agency Hoarding Awareness Training 28 May 2025 (Information for all Providers)
Free online training for staff on hoarding is available.The full day sessions (10.00am to 4.00pm) cover understanding hoarding and an overview of the C20 project (module 1), supportive engagement techniques (module 2) and supportive interventions for successful multi agency working (module 3). Next training day is on:
28 May 2025
All sessions are on Zoom
To book, please email help@cloudsend.org.uk stating the date you are interested in, and the meeting link will be shared with you.
10. Registered Managers Forum and Skills for Care: Working together with Registered Managers in Solihull: Scheduled meetings for 2025-2026 (Information for all Solihull Care Home Providers)
Venue: Solihull College | Time: 13:30 – 16:00
Dates: Thursday 3 July 2025 - Thursday 11 September 2025 - Thursday 27 November 2025 - Thursday 5 February 2026
Skills for Care have set up dates for registered managers in Solihull to come together for networking, information and support with Skills for Care and Solihull Registered Managers Forum (RMF). All meetings will be hosted at Solihull College (Blossomfield Campus), starting with a light lunch and followed by sessions from Skills for Care and the Managers Forum meeting. If you would like to attend the next meeting please book your place using the link below to receive the agenda and tell us about any dietary, communication or access needs you may have.
Further information about this subject has been circulated to providers. If you don’t have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk