Useful links
Websites and systems Birmingham practices use most, collected by BLMC. Links open in a new tab. Login marks services that need an account or smartcard.
Local NHS – Birmingham & Solihull
Our ICBs, hospitals and local services
- NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICBOur integrated care board: commissioning, primary care contracts and practice resources.
- NHS Black Country ICBOur cluster partner ICB.
- University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB)QE, Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals.
- Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS TrustCity, Sandwell and Midland Metropolitan University hospitals.
- Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS TrustBirmingham Children’s Hospital, Women’s Hospital and Forward Thinking Birmingham.
- Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC)Community nursing, therapies, rehabilitation and urgent community response.
- Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health TrustAdult mental health services and referral information.
- Forward Thinking BirminghamMental health service for 0–25-year-olds, including the referral form.
- Royal Orthopaedic HospitalSpecialist orthopaedic hospital in Northfield.
- Birmingham Children’s Trust: worried about a childChildren’s Advice and Support Service (CASS) for safeguarding referrals.
- Birmingham Safeguarding Children PartnershipLocal safeguarding procedures, training and practice reviews.
- Birmingham Safeguarding Adults BoardAdult safeguarding procedures, referrals and training.
- Healthwatch Birmingham and SolihullThe independent champion for patients’ views on local health services.
Hospital portals, pathology & diagnostics
Local trust GP pages, test information and cancer diagnosis
- UHB GP portal NHS networkUHB’s primary care portal for GPs. NHS (HSCN) computers only.
- UHB: information for GPsUHB’s GP pages: referral guidance, services and contacts.
- SWBH GP Homepage NHS networkSandwell and West Birmingham’s GP portal: clinical interface and results. NHS (HSCN) computers only.
- UHB pathology: tests and orderingUHB laboratory services, test information, requesting and sample guidance.
- Black Country Pathology test databaseTest information, sample requirements and contacts.
- GatewayCFree early cancer diagnosis learning for primary care.
Prescribing & medicines
Formularies, shortages, safety and data
- Birmingham, Sandwell & Solihull formularyThe local joint formulary, traffic-light status and shared care documents.
- BNFBritish National Formulary.
- BNF for ChildrenBNF for Children.
- Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS)Medicines advice, including the medicines supply tool for shortages.
- MIMS drug shortages trackerA live list of current shortages.
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC)Product information (SmPCs) and patient leaflets.
- MHRA Yellow CardReport suspected side effects and device incidents.
- Pharmacy First (NHS England)The seven conditions and how GP referrals to community pharmacy work.
- NHSBSA ePACT2 LoginPractice prescribing data and dashboards.
- OpenPrescribingFree, searchable prescribing data by practice, PCN and ICB.
Vaccinations & public health
Immunisation, vaccine ordering and population data
- UKHSA Green BookImmunisation against infectious disease, chapter by chapter.
- ImmForm LoginOrder centrally supplied vaccines and submit uptake data.
- UK Health Security AgencyHealth protection guidance and alerts.
- OHID Fingertips: practice profilesPractice-level population and outcome data.
Clinical reference & guidance
Guidelines and everyday reference
- NICENICE guidance and quality standards.
- NICE Clinical Knowledge SummariesPrimary care clinical summaries.
- NICE NG12: suspected cancerRecognition and referral of suspected cancer.
- GPnotebookOnline clinical reference for primary care.
- Patient.info (professional)Professional articles and patient leaflets.
- Fit note guidanceDWP guidance on issuing fit notes.
- DVLA: assessing fitness to driveMedical standards for driving.
- National medical examiner systemHow medical examiner scrutiny of deaths works.
Contracts, funding & claims
The GP contract, payments and claims
- NHS England: GP contractContract documents, letters and guidance for each year.
- NHS England: general practiceNHS England primary care policy and guidance hub.
- BMA: GP practicesBMA and GPC England guidance on contracts, funding, workload and safe working.
- Primary Care Support England (PCSE)Patient registrations, performers list, GP payments and pensions admin.
- PCSE Online LoginPractice and performer login for PCSE services.
- Calculating Quality Reporting Service (CQRS) LoginClaims for QOF, enhanced services and vaccinations.
- QOF and enhanced services dataQOF business rules, collections and published achievement.
- BMA: fees for non-NHS workGuidance on fees for reports, certificates and other non-NHS work.
- Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)Government health policy and announcements.
- QOF databaseQOF achievement and prevalence for every practice.
- NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA)Prescription services, exemptions, pensions and other NHS payments.
CQC, safety & regulation
Regulators, alerts and patient safety
- Care Quality Commission: GP servicesHow CQC regulates and assesses general practice.
- CQC GP mythbusters (Nigel’s Surgery)CQC’s practical tips and mythbusters for practices.
- CQC provider portal LoginNotifications, registration changes and statement of purpose.
- MHRA Central Alerting System (CAS)National patient safety alerts and drug or device alerts.
- Learn from patient safety events (LFPSE) LoginRecord patient safety incidents nationally.
- General Medical CouncilRegistration, Good Medical Practice and ethical guidance.
- Nursing and Midwifery CouncilRegistration and standards for nurses.
- Health and Care Professions CouncilRegistration for paramedics, physiotherapists and other professions.
- NHS Resolution: CNSGPState indemnity for NHS clinical work in general practice.
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE)Workplace health and safety, including RIDDOR reporting.
Information governance & data
Data protection, sharing and opt-outs
- Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)Data protection, subject access and FOI guidance.
- Data Security and Protection Toolkit LoginAnnual information governance self-assessment.
- National data opt-outHow the opt-out works and what practices must do.
- The Caldicott PrinciplesThe eight principles for using confidential information.
- GP ConnectSharing GP records with other care settings.
- PCIG ConsultingIG, GDPR and DSP Toolkit resources for practices.
NHS systems & logins
National NHS services practices use
- NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) LoginReferrals and advice and guidance.
- National Care Records Service (SCR) LoginSummary Care Record and patient demographics.
- Care Identity Service (smartcards)Managing smartcards and access roles; contact your RA via ML IT Services.
- NHS.net Connect (NHSmail) LoginEmail, Teams and account management (formerly NHSmail).
- NHS website profile manager LoginUpdate your practice’s NHS website profile and opening times.
- NHS App (for practices)NHS App features, messaging and practice guidance.
- GP registrations data (GP2GP)GP2GP integration times by practice and ICB.
- National Document Repository LoginDigitised Lloyd George records.
- Digital Care Services CatalogueAssured GP IT systems and digital products.
- FutureNHS LoginNHS collaboration workspaces, including primary care hubs.
- ODS portalLook up practice and organisation codes.
- NHS SNOMED CT browserLook up SNOMED CT codes.
GP IT support (ML IT Services)
Phone only for urgent or critical issues; use forms, the portal or AVA for everything else
- Service desk: 0300 555 0212Urgent or critical issues only. Choose option 3 (BSol), then 2 (GP practice). Choosing the right option gets you the correct support hours.
- Online request formsStandard requests: new or removed access, equipment orders and RA smartcard queries.
- Self-service portal (Sostenuto) LoginLog and track non-urgent issues: non-clinical equipment faults, installation, configuration and information requests.
- AVA chatbotLive chat for non-urgent issues and requests.
- Smartcard (RA) formRequest new smartcards, role changes and removals.
- IT ordering formOrder IT equipment for the practice.
- Service statusCurrent outages and known issues.
- ML IT Services websiteGuides, contacts and news from the GP IT provider.
Clinical systems
GP clinical systems and add-ons
- Optum (EMIS) Now support LoginEMIS Web support and knowledge base.
- TPP (SystmOne)SystmOne clinical system and support.
- MedicusCloud-based GP clinical system.
- Ardens supportArdens templates, searches and recall guidance.
- DocmanDocument management. Help: docman.helpdocs.io
- PRIMISClinical searches and data quality tools for general practice.
Online access, triage & practice software
Online consultation, messaging, telephony, reports and AI tools. Check local assurance before adopting new tools, especially AI.
- AccurxMessaging, online forms, Self-Book and triage. Help: support.accurx.com
- Rapid HealthSmart triage and online access.
- AnimaOnline consultation, triage and care navigation.
- Blinx (PACO)Online consultation and care navigation platform.
- PatchsOnline consultation and triage.
- eConsultOnline consultation.
- KlinikOnline access and triage.
- Engage HealthOnline consultation and patient check-in.
- JayexCheck-in kiosks, patient calling screens and online booking.
- X-on Surgery ConnectCloud telephony help centre.
- LexacomDigital dictation and speech recognition.
- iGPRElectronic SARs and insurance reports.
- Lalu (formerly Medi2data eMR)Electronic medical reports for insurers.
- Heidi HealthAI scribe. Needs local assurance and ICB approval before use.
Workforce, pensions & indemnity
Employment, pensions and medical defence
- NHS Pensions (NHSBSA)Scheme guides, forms and Total Reward Statements.
- BMA pensionsPension guidance, annual allowance and modellers.
- BMA contract checking serviceFree check of salaried and partnership contracts for members.
- Medical Defence Union (MDU)Indemnity and medico-legal advice.
- MDDUSIndemnity and medico-legal advice.
- Medical Protection Society (MPS)Indemnity and medico-legal advice.
- NHS JobsAdvertise and find NHS and practice vacancies.
Appraisal & learning
Appraisal, revalidation and CPD
- Clarity appraisal toolkit LoginGP appraisal portfolio.
- FourteenFish LoginAppraisal portfolio, CPD and PDP toolkit; also used in GP training.
- NHS England: medical revalidationAppraisal and revalidation for GPs.
- GMC revalidationRevalidation requirements and feedback guidance.
- e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH)Free NHS e-learning, including safeguarding and statutory training.
- NHS Learning HubNHS learning resources and catalogues.
- RCGP learningRCGP e-learning courses and GP SelfTest.
- BMJ LearningOnline CPD modules.
- Red Whale (GP Update)GP update courses and handbooks (subscription).
- NB MedicalHot Topics courses and learning (subscription).
- BMA LibraryFree library and ClinicalKey access for members.
- NHS Leadership AcademyLeadership programmes including Mary Seacole and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson.
GP training
GP specialty training schemes (VTS) in Birmingham and Solihull
- GP training in Birmingham & SolihullThe four local schemes: West Birmingham (previously City), North Birmingham, South Birmingham, and East Birmingham & Solihull. Contact: england.pccprogrammes.midlands@nhs.net.
- West Birmingham GP VTSScheme website: calendar, teaching sessions and programme directors.
- South Birmingham VTSScheme website: half-day release calendar, trainers and resources.
- West Midlands School of General PracticeNHS England (West Midlands) GP training: programmes, ARCP and trainee support.
- GP National Recruitment OfficeApplying for GP specialty training.
- BMA GP Trainees CommitteeRepresentation and guidance for GP trainees.
Representation
The BMA, RCGP and LMC support
- BMA: local medical committeesWhat LMCs do, and the national LMC directory.
- LMC Support NetworkResources and support for LMCs.
- GP Defence Fund (GPDF)Funds national GP representation and the LMC conference.
- Royal College of General PractitionersProfessional standards, learning and clinical resources.
- National Association of Primary Care (NAPC)Supports primary care networks and the wider primary care team.
- National Association of Sessional GPs (NASGP)Support and resources for locum and salaried GPs.
Other LMCs
Our neighbours in the West Midlands, and LMCs with large guidance libraries
- Solihull LMCOur neighbouring LMC within BSol ICB.
- West Midlands LMCs Liaison GroupHow the region’s LMCs work together.
- Sandwell LMCBlack Country.
- Dudley LMCBlack Country.
- Coventry and Warwickshire LMCs
- South Staffordshire LMC
- North Staffordshire LMC
- Worcestershire and Herefordshire LMC
- Londonwide LMCsExtensive guidance and template library.
- Wessex LMCsExtensive guidance, including practice team support and patient communications.
- Derby and Derbyshire LMCHome of the “Did you know” patient infographics.
- Nottinghamshire LMC
- Avon LMC
- Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire LMC
- Berks, Bucks and Oxon LMCs
- Essex LMC
- Kent LMC
- Lincolnshire LMC
- Manchester LMC
- Norfolk and Waveney LMC
Practice management
Professional bodies, finance benchmarking and policy resources
- Institute of General Practice Management (IGPM)Professional body for practice managers.
- AISMAAssociation of independent specialist medical accountants, with GP finance benchmarking.
- TeamNet (Clarity) LoginPractice intranet: policies, training records, rotas, compliance and CQC evidence.
- First Practice ManagementPolicies, procedures and HR templates (subscription).
- Practice IndexPractice manager community and forum.
- Having wellbeing conversations with staffFree NHS England training for line managers.
- Conflict resolution training (e-LfH)Free e-learning for NHS staff.
- National General Practice Improvement ProgrammeNHS England support for practices and PCNs to improve access and workload.
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)PAYE, VAT and tax guidance for practices as employers.
- NHS EmployersPay, terms and conditions and workforce guidance.
GP news & journals
News and journals for general practice (some need free registration)
- PulseGP news, views and analysis.
- GPonlineGP news, clinical education and practice business.
- BJGPBritish Journal of General Practice.
- BJGP LifeOpinion and comment from the BJGP.
- The BMJNews, research and education.
- Management in PracticeNews and guidance for practice managers.
- Healthcare LeaderNews on ICBs, PCNs and NHS leadership.
- Practice BusinessBusiness and management for GP practices.
- Health Service Journal (HSJ) SubscriptionNHS management and policy news.
- Doctors.net.uk LoginOnline community, news and learning for UK doctors.
- BMA on YouTube (BMAtv)Films and webinars from the BMA.
Wellbeing & support
Confidential help for you and your team
- NHS Practitioner HealthFree, confidential mental health and addiction service for doctors.
- BMA wellbeing support24/7 counselling and peer support (0330 123 1245).
- The Cameron FundThe GPs’ own charity, for financial hardship.
- Royal Medical Benevolent FundFinancial support for doctors and their families.
- Doctors in DistressPeer support groups for health workers.
- GPMplusCoaching, mentoring and wellbeing for general practice teams.
- Resilient PracticeWellbeing and resilience resources for GPs.
- Shout 8525824/7 crisis text line (text SHOUT to 85258).
- NHS staff mental health and wellbeing hubsFree, confidential support for health and care staff, including the BSol hub.
- NHS Talking TherapiesFree NHS therapy for anxiety and depression. You can refer yourself.
- NHS staff support line (Samaritans): 0800 069 6222Free, confidential listening service, 7am to 11pm every day.
- RCGP sudden bereavement supportFree support for practices after the sudden death of a patient or colleague.
- Framework: sudden death of a colleague in primary care (PDF)Society of Occupational Medicine guidance for practice teams.
- RCGP mental health toolkitResources on mental health, including your own.
- Mind-approved wellbeing appsApps reviewed and approved by Mind.
- MoneyHelperFree, impartial money and pensions guidance, backed by government.
- NHS uplifting resourcesReading and listening resources for NHS staff from NHS Knowledge and Library Services.
- Queen’s Nursing Institute resourcesSupport and resources for general practice nurses.
Spotted a broken link, or know a resource other practices should see? Let us know. Listing a supplier isn’t an endorsement.