What's New Bulletin 289 - 12 March 2026
This is edition 289 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. NHS National Patient Safety Team Patient Safety Bulletin – February 2026 (Information for all Providers)
2. British Geriatrics Society - Free eLearning Course on Frailty (Information for all Providers)
3. REMINDER Skills for Care Updates for March 2026 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
4. Care Quality Commission (CQC) Assessment Framework Engagement Events - Spring 2026 – Expressions of Interest by 20 March 2026 (Information for all Providers)
5. REMINDER NHS Birmingham and Solihull (BSOL) Training Hub March 2026 (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Providers)
6. REMINDER Birmingham Hospice and Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (BSOL ICB) - SPUR – The Specialist Palliative Urgent Response Service (SPUR) Drop-in Sessions March 2026 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
7. REMINDER Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) NHS Foundation Trust - Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Events (Information for Birmingham and Solihull Care Homes)
8. The Queens Institute of Community Nursing ~Adult Social Care Nursing Network – Online Meeting, 24 March 2026 (Information for Care Homes with Nursing)
9. Skills for Care ASC-WDS Workshop – 27 March 2026 (Information for all Birmingham Providers)
1. NHS National Patient Safety Team Patient Safety Bulletin – February 2026 (Information for all Providers)
The latest national patient safety bulletin provides updates on PSIRF engagement standards, PSP resources, and access to recent national meeting recordings. Providers are encouraged to share this information with clinical governance and safety leads. The bulletin has been circulated to providers. If you don't have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk .
2. British Geriatrics Society - Free eLearning Course on Frailty (Information for all Providers)
The link below takes you to a comprehensive in-depth resource on frailty in older people. It is aimed at health and social care professionals who provide care and services for older people living with frailty. This e-learning course is funded by NHS England and is free until the end of June 2026.
Frailty - Identification and Interventions | British Geriatrics Society [bgs.org.uk
3. REMINDER Skills for Care Updates for March 2026 (Information for all Birmingham and Solihull Providers)
Skills for Care updates for March 2026 have been circulated to providers. If you don't have a copy, please emailmarketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk .
4. Care Quality Commission (CQC) Assessment Framework Engagement Events - Spring 2026 – Expressions of Interest by 20 March 2026 (Information for all Providers)
The CQC are inviting you to express your interest in joining there upcoming Assessment Framework Engagement Events this spring. These sessions mark the next stage in the development of the CQC’s assessment frameworks and methodology. They’re designed not only to share our progress but also to continue shaping this work collaboratively with those who will use and be impacted by it. The sessions are cross sector but there will be sector specific elements throughout the day.
Please note these will be all day events, starting at 10.30am and finishing at 4pm.
- Manchester | Tuesday 14 April 2026
- Birmingham | Wednesday 22 April 2026
- London | Tuesday 12 May 2026
- Online session | Wednesday 6 May 2026 (for those unable to attend in person)
At this stage, they’re collecting expressions of interest only. Please complete the form below before Friday 20 March 2026.
You will be notified by Tuesday 24 March 2026 if your place is confirmed.
If you have any questions, feel free to email cqcevents@cqc.org.uk
5. 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 the link below 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:
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
23 March 2026 Preparing for a Cyber Incident: Tools and Tips for the Care Sector 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
23 March 2026 Exploitation in International Recruitment: “Working Together: Multi-Agency Responses to Exploitation” 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
25 March 2026 BSOL ICB Clinical Quality Assurance Team – Achieving Excellence Together 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
26 March 2026 Positive Behaviour Support 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
26 March 2026 Ethical Dilemmas at EoL 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
6. REMINDER Birmingham Hospice and Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (BSOL ICB) - SPUR – The Specialist Palliative Urgent Response Service (SPUR) Drop-in Sessions March 2026 (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 2026, 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 the link below 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 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
7. REMINDER 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 Forum and 3@3 Virtual Training Session - 11.00am 19 March 2026
IPC Champions Training Day for Infection Control Training on Thursday, 9 April 2026 between 9:00am – 5:00pm at Moseley Hall Hospital.
Please use the form below to reserve yourself and/or your colleagues a place at this fully funded training event.
IPC Champions Training Day 9 April 2026
Places at this training event are limited, and preference may be given to homes that do not currently have an IPC Champion. Please note that staff who have previously attended infection control training and are IPC Champions do not need to attend. A flyer with further information regarding this event has been circulated to providers. If you don't have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
If you have comments/queries for the IPC team, please contact bchc.ipcdata1@nhs.net or 0121 466 6550.
8. The Queens Institute of Community Nursing ~Adult Social Care Nursing Network – Online Meeting, 24 March 2026 (Information for Care Homes with Nursing)
The next Adult Social Care Nursing Network meeting will be held on Zoom, 24 March 2026, 2:00–4:00pm. Booking password: 1327290725.
Adult Social Care Nursing Network Meeting Tickets, Tue 24 Mar 2026 at 14:00 | Eventbrite
9. 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.
Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS)
The next session is Friday, 27 March 2026 – 10:00am -11:00am
Please 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.
Key Points:60% reimbursed, 40% paid on completion. Funding covers non-regulated staff, registered Managers and agency workers
The Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) closes on 31 March 2026. Please use the link below to claim your funding