What's New Bulletin 288 - 05 March 2026
This is edition 288 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. REMINDER Birmingham City Council - CareMatch Portal Key Messages – Password Resets (Information for contracted Providers)
2. Capacity Tracker Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Updates - What's New to Capacity Tracker (Information for all Providers)
3. SURVEY Birmingham City Council (BCC) Public Health Division Smoking Needs Assessment – DEADLINE 11 March 2026 (Information for all Birmingham Providers)
4. Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) - Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) – New Referral Form (Information for all Birmingham Care Home Providers)
5. Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) - Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) - Swallowing Matters – Supporting Safe Eating and Drinking in Care Homes (Information for all Birmingham Care Home Providers)
6. Skills for Care Updates for March 2026 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
7. REMINDER NHS Birmingham and Solihull (BSOL) Training Hub March 2026 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Providers)
8. REMINDER Skills for Care – The Managers Conference 2026 – 9 to 10 March 2026 (Information for all Providers)
9. REMINDER Birmingham Hospice and Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (BSOL ICB) - SPUR – The Specialist Palliative Urgent Response Service (SPUR) Drop-in Sessions March 2025 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
10. REMINDER Birmingham City Council - Learning Disabilities, Autism and Mental Health Provider Forum and questionnaire – 12 March 2026 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
11. Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) NHS Foundation Trust - Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Events (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
12. REMINDER Skills for Care ASC-WDS Workshop – 27 March 2026 (Information for all Birmingham Providers)
13. REMINDER Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (BSOL ICB) - Achieving Excellence Together – Quality Webinar 25 March 2026 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes with Nursing)
1. REMINDER Birmingham City Council - CareMatch Portal Key Messages – Password Resets (Information for contracted Providers)
For security reasons, users will be asked to periodically update their passwords for access to CareMatch Portal. Below are some tips to assist with this.
Tip One - 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.
Tip Two - If you are logging in but receive the message below, please contact the Market Intelligence Team for your account to be unlocked before using a new password. If the account is locked before you requested a new password, it will remain locked. Once unlocked, you can use your new password.
“You have been locked out due, as your logon credentials have been repeatedly entered incorrectly. Please contact marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk”
2. Capacity Tracker Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Updates - What's New to Capacity Tracker (Information for all Providers)
Some changes have been made to Capacity Tracker. Unless otherwise stated, these took place on Thursday, 26 February 2025. Please use the this link for further information
20260211 whats new to capacity tracker - february.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 (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 (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 (Open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm
3. SURVEY Birmingham City Council (BCC) Public Health Division Smoking Needs Assessment – DEADLINE 11 March 2026 (Information for all Birmingham Providers)
BCC Public Health are conducting a survey to better understand the factors that influence smoking prevalence and quitting behaviours in Birmingham. The insights gathered will support the development of targeted interventions aimed at reducing smoking rates and helping achieve the national goal of a Smokefree generation.
Please share the survey link with your staff and citizens:
The survey is open to anyone aged 16 or over who smokes and lives/works in Birmingham – especially those who reside in the five wards identified as having higher-than-usual tobacco use and representing the city's five localities:
- Bartley Green
- Castle Vale
- King’s Norton South
- Garretts Green
- Oscott
The deadline for responses is end of day, Wednesday 11 March 2026.
4. Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) - Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) – New Referral Form (Information for all Birmingham Care Home Providers)
The Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Service provides assessment and management for adults (16+) registered with a Birmingham GP who have communication needs, or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties related to acquired neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and motor neurone disease.
Referrals should be made using the Adult SLT Referral Form, available at:
The form outlines full referral criteria, essential clinical information requirements, and exclusions. Completing all sections supports timely triage and prioritisation. Please note that telephone referrals cannot be accepted.
For queries or discussions about potential referrals, please contact the team on 0121 466 2150 or bchc.asltqueries@nhs.net.
5. Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) - Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) - Swallowing Matters – Supporting Safe Eating and Drinking in Care Homes (Information for all Birmingham Care Home Providers)
Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) are common in older adults and in people living with conditions such as dementia, stroke and Parkinson’s disease. The Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Service has developed Swallowing Matters to help care home staff recognise signs of swallowing problems early and know when to seek specialist support.
Swallowing Matters provides guidance on:
- Recognising early signs of swallowing difficulty
- What to do if a resident is coughing, choking, or showing changes in eating and drinking
- Practical safe‑swallowing strategies that can be used immediately
- Red flags requiring urgent medical or SLT input
- When and how to make an SLT referral
- Supporting residents safely while awaiting assessment
If you are concerned about a resident’s swallowing, please refer using the SLT Referral Form: Community | Website
For advice, contact the team on 0121 466 2150 or bchc.asltqueries@nhs.net.
6. Skills for Care Updates for March 2026 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
Further information about this subject has been circulated to providers. If you don’t have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
7. REMINDER NHS Birmingham and Solihull (BSOL) Training Hub March 2026 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Providers)
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.
The next sessions are:
10 March 2026 Wound Care Educational Event 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
10 March 2026 Discover Cyber PATH: Free Cyber Resilience Services for the Care Sector 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
10 March 2026 Review and Republish your DSPT 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
11 March 2026 Person Centred Care 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
17 March 2026 Webinar 2: Behind the breach – Understanding cyber threats from the inside out 10:00 am - 11:00 am
18 March 2026 Mouth Matters Training 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
19 March 2026 International Recruitment: The Employment Rights Act (part 2) 10:00 am - 11:30 am
19 March 2026 Mental Health Awareness 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
19 March 2026 Continuing Health Care Fast Track Pathway Training (March 2026) 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
20 March 2026 Managing Dysphagia Workshops 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
8. REMINDER Skills for Care – The Managers Conference 2026 – 9 to 10 March 2026 (Information for all Providers)
Monday 9 March to Tuesday 10 March 2026, Wyboston Lakes Resort, Bedfordshire
The Managers Conference, hosted by Skills for Care and the National Care Forum, is back for another year — a dedicated event for social care managers to connect, learn and solve everyday challenges.
The conference features a packed programme of keynote speakers, workshops and panel sessions plus a bustling exhibition featuring quality suppliers showcasing key solutions to support social care managers.
With a dynamic and creative programme, this is a valuable opportunity to share experiences and gain fresh ideas to help you and your teams deliver the highest quality care.
This event is always a sell-out -
9. REMINDER Birmingham Hospice and Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (BSOL ICB) - SPUR – The Specialist Palliative Urgent Response Service (SPUR) Drop-in Sessions March 2025 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
The Specialist Palliative Urgent Response Service (SPUR) has been officially launched across Birmingham and Solihull. This is a brand‑new 24/7 service designed to ensure people can quickly and easily access specialist end‑of‑life and palliative care in the comfort of their own homes, surrounded by the people and places that matter most.
Launched on Monday 12 January, SPUR is here to transform how urgent palliative care is delivered. Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the service is available to patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Whether offering expert advice, signposting to the right support, or arranging a home visit within two hours, SPUR ensures help is always just a phone call away.
Patients already supported by an NHS or hospice service should continue contacting their usual team during daytime hours. Anyone not currently under an existing service, or anyone needing urgent help when their usual service is unavailable, can contact SPUR for timely specialist support.
Please use this link for further information
Specialist Palliative Urgent Response Team (SPUR) - Birmingham Hospice
Throughout March there will be drop‑in sessions, where you can learn more about SPUR, meet some of the team, and ask any questions you may have. Please see links below.
SPUR Drop-in Session 10 March 2026 10:00am-11:00am
SPUR Drop-in Session 17 March 2026 10:00am-11:00am
SPUR Drop-in Session 25 March 2026 2:00pm-3:00pm
For further information, please contact kellie.owen@birminghamhospice.org.uk
10. REMINDER Birmingham City Council - Learning Disabilities, Autism and Mental Health Provider Forum and questionnaire – 12 March 2026 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
You are invited to the upcoming Learning Disabilities, Autism and Mental Health Provider Forum on Thursday 12 March 2026, 12:00pm – 2:30pm at Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club, 160 Walmley Road, Sutton Coldfield, B76 2QA.
As part of the forum, can you please complete a short anonymous questionnaire prior to attending. Please see link -
Learning Disability, Autism and Mental Health Provider Forum questionnaire
Feedback from the questionnaire will be shared at the forum to facilitate discussions.
To book a place at the forum (first come first served, maximum two attendees per provider), please fill in this
There is ample parking at the Rugby Club and light refreshments will be provided.
For any questions, please contact Rebecca.claridge@bimingham.gov.uk
11. Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) NHS Foundation Trust - Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Events (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
- Thursday 19 March 2026 is your next IPC Champions Forum, please join the team between 11.00am – 12.30pm for your infection control refresher and catch up.
The IPC 3@3 Virtual Training Session will follow the IPC Champions Forum; the topic the session will be MDRO (Multidrug-resistant organisms) in Adult Social Care Settings.
- IPC Champions Training Day for Infection Control Training
on Thursday, 9 April 2026
between 9:00am – 5:00pm
at Moseley Hall Hospital.
Further information about this subject has been circulated to providers. If you don’t have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
*Staff that have previously attended infection control training and are IPC Champions do not need to attend.
Places at this training event are limited, and preference may be given to homes that do not currently have an IPC Champion.
Please
to reserve yourself and/or your colleagues a place at this fully funded training event.
If you have comments/queries for the IPC team, please contact bchc.ipcdata1@nhs.net or 0121 466 6550.
12. REMINDER Skills for Care ASC-WDS Workshop – 27 March 2026 (Information for all Birmingham Providers)
Birmingham has one of the lowest uptake rates nationally for the
Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS)
a free service commissioned and funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) - currently ranking as 130 out of 152 LA’s. Skills for Care are holding workshops for providers to create an ASC-WDS account and access funding.
The next session is Friday, 27 March 2026 – 10:00am -11:00am
Further information about this subject has been circulated to providers. If you don’t have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk or contact attiya.kausar@skillsforcare.org.uk for more information
The Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) is a free online data collection service that covers the adult social care workforce in England. Data from ASC-WDS is used by key decision makers and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) when planning, funding and monitoring the sector.
An active ASC-WDS account is a requirement for accessing training reimbursement schemes such as the Learning & Development support scheme (LDSS). This service helps employers reclaim costs for care staff training, including qualifications, diplomas, and short courses.
Further information about this subject has been circulated to providers. If you don’t have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
Providers have until the end of March 2026 to apply for LDSS.
13. REMINDER Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (BSOL ICB) - Achieving Excellence Together – Quality Webinar 25 March 2026 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes with Nursing)
A targeted webinar to improve quality, safety and clinical leadership. A one‑hour webinar supporting care home quality improvement.
- Date: Wednesday, 25 March 2026
- Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
What you’ll gain:
• Key resources for Nurse Managers
• Staying connected across BSOL
• Access to networks & library services for social care nurses
• MSc Community SPQ opportunities
• Direct links to services: CHC, IP&C, Training Hub, Falls, Tissue Viability, End of Life, Dementia, Urgent Care & more
Please use the link below for further information and to join
BSOL ICB Clinical Quality Assurance Team – Achieving Excellence Together – BSol Training hub