Primary Care UK: Let's Learn Together

Send a text IN THIS EPISODE we look back at the year and review the thoughts that come to mind when we revisit some of the episodes in season 3. Each of us, as co-hosts have shared our passions and worked with several experts to hear what they are able to teach us.  We have benefitted immensely and we hope this has been an amazing resource for you too. After this episode, Primary Care UK - Let&apo...

Send a text In this edition of NHS news: The GP Partnership contract under threat The survival of high street pharmacies under threat Pharmacy First Update And more.  Presented by Irina and Si Irina is a Clinical Pharmacist by background and Simon is a Paramedic by background and  an Advanced Clinical Practitioner.  Representing Primary Care UK, they discuss what these news headlines mean for us w...

Send a text THIS EPISODE:  Primary Care UK Nurse Lead Emma Borders has a conversation with Dr Lorre Laws, a  a renowned nurse scientist and trauma burnout expert.  The aim is to help clinicians understand and manage this endemic problem.   Dr Laws sheds light on the pressing issue of professional burnout among healthcare providers. The discussion traverses through outdated approaches to burnout, t...

Send a text THIS EPISODE is about providing effective supervision in Primary Care.  The role of supervisors and the provision of high-quality supervision needs to be given attention now because: There have been a whole multitude of new roles in Primary Care in the last few years, and most, if not all, require supervision The training path for those in well-established specialities, such as GP trai...

Send a text The Power and Purpose of Women's Circles. In this episode of Primary Care UK's Let's Learn Together Emma Borders interviews a guest about a concept little known to clinicians:  Dr. Asha Ashokan, a GP and Women's Circles Facilitator, explores the concept of women's circles—a safe space for women to gather, share experiences, and support each other. She delves in...

Send a text THIS EPISODE unravels the extremely important role of testosterone for men.  It covers: The function and regulation of testosterone in the body Prevalence and impact of deficiency Clinical features of deficiency Primary care workup and when to refer onwards The importance of testosterone in women  At least in the UK, this is an extremely important, and yet so often neglected area of cl...

Send a text THIS EPISODE:  Summary of key points from previous episodes on Genomics Personalised care: Pharmacogenomics How to discuss genomics with your patients The importance and impact of genetic testing Special thanks to our guest speakers:    Dr Pooja Dasani.   Lead genomic counsellor, North Thames GMSA and Principal genetic counsellor, North East Thames regional genetics service (Great Ormo...

Send a text In this episode of the NHS News show, hosts Emma Borders and Simon discuss pressing issues in primary care and recent NHS developments, focusing on Health Secretary Wes Streeting's commitment to reform amidst funding disparities. They highlight the alarming trend of GP practices returning contracts due to unsustainable costs, which leaves many patients without care. The conversati...

Send a text IN THIS FIFTH EPISODE of Primary Care UK's six-part series on genomics, hosts Claire and Munir are joined by Anwar Khan and Sophia Varadkar to discuss the significance of rare diseases in the realm of primary care. The episode emphasizes the prevalence and impact of rare diseases, elaborating on how genomics can provide crucial insights for early diagnosis, treatment, and family c...

Send a text THIS EPISODE is about Cultural Awareness.  Irina Varlan speaks to two clinicians who have an interest in this area, as they cover important issues such as: How to approach culure conversations, and what language to use when discussing. Important principles to bear in mind. By way of example, there will be a focus on Muslim patients fasting in Ramadhan.   And a vareity of other points w...

Send a text THIS EPISODE:  Do you agree there is more that needs doing to detect cancer early, and to treat optimally?  This is episode 4 of the 6-part Genomics mini-series, and looks at: Cancer and the role of Primary Care in early diagnosis/detection Using Breast cancer & Lung cancer genomics as examples Highlighting what you, the primary care clinician can do How genomics helps, not only fo...

Send a text IN THIS EPISODE, doctors Catherine Byrne and Rahul Mohan discuss the critical aspects of managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) in primary care. They explain: the definition, prevalence, and risk factors of CKD, highlighting its  association with other conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.  Led by podcast host Irina Varlan, the conversation covers the r...

Send a text Imagine you had a time-bomb inside your body ticking away... now imagine that your GP surgery had the ability to detect it and defuse it, but didn't.  How would that make you feel?   Familial hypercholesterolaemia is common and dangerous without treatment, yet most cases remain undiagnosed.  The condition highlights the key role that primary care plays in terms of genomics.   IN T...

Send a text What you, as a primary care clinician should know about: - Vaping - The General Practice contract deal - GPs getting abused. Emma is a senior nurse and Si is a Paramedic and Advanced Clinical Practitioner.  Representing Primary Care UK, they discuss what these news headlines mean for us working in the front line.  If you want to add to these discussions, you can do so through out Linke...

Send a text THIS EPISODE:  Having understood the importance of Genomics in Primary Care, we start the beginning, and cover the basic terms concepts and how we in primary care should move forward when faced with a patient with such a presentation. This is episode 2 of our 6 part series. The episode is about helping you understand Genomics terminology, applicability to primary care, the importance o...

Send a text Let's continue the discussion...  Please check part 1 if you haven't already. So are PA's replacing doctors? And let's get to the bit that matters most:  What should we be doing about this? Quite specifically, what can YOU do about this? This is the SECOND HALF of a discussion in which hosts Munir Adam (the GP) and Marium Hanif (the PA) explore the PA role and upcom...

Send a text THIS EPISODE:  Do you have any idea about how much of a role Genomics is beginning to play in the care of our patients?  Or do you continue to pretend it doesn't matter? We're excited to introduce a 6-part series that demystifies genomics for Primary Care staff.  In a manner that is easy-to-understand and grounded in the realities of working in Primary Care, the experts cover...

Send a text THIS EPISODE:  As a Doctor do you have concerns about the impact of Physician Associates on you, and on patient safety? Or do you welcome their contributions?  As a PA are you a welcome part of the team and well supported? As an AHP or Nurse, can you relate to some of the tensions that exist between the professions? This is the FIRST HALF of a discussion in which hosts Munir Adam (the...

Send a text IN THIS EPISODE we look back over the last year's episodes and hear short snippets from some of the speakers.  This is so that you can: Re-visit the discussions and recall useful learning Decide if you want to re-listen to the conversation Ask yourself whether you managed to implement the changes that you thought you would Decide if you want to listen to an episode, if you haven&a...

Send a text Do any of these things mean anything to you: Shortage of GP appointments! Changing skill mix in Primary Care: Allied Health Professionals.  Lucy Letby case & trust in HCPs Why does it affect us?  What can we do about it?  Dawn and Simon  discuss possible implications for Primary Care professionals.  Do you agree with them? Dawn Hunt, Practice Nurse. Clinical Lead at Integrated Care...

Send a text THIS EPISODE features a discussion on the critical issue of air pollution and its significant impact on health.   Experts from London share insights on the pervasive problem, though the topic is highly relevant UK wide. They discuss different sources of pollution, health effects and the current climate change crisis, and the responsibility and potential for clinicians to advocate chang...

Send a text IN THIS EPISODE:  Really get to understand mental health, both for yourself and for your patients.  Co-host, Irina Varlan speaks with Matt Elswood, about the complexities of mental health conditions, stressing the importance of understanding mental health better rather than offering oversimplified solutions. Elswood emphasizes the need for non-prescription solutions  such as developing...

Send a text IN THIS EPISODE Claire and Munir from the PCUK team talk to Rachel Morris about the challenges in General Practice in these turbulant times with evolving roles and uncertainties.  She explains how to think about this differently, in order to not only survive, but to thrive.     SPECIAL THANKS to our guest speaker: Dr Rachel Morris. Rachel is former GP who now helps doctors and other pr...

Send a text IN THIS EPISODE:   Munir Adam discusses the common issue of lower back pain with an expert in the field who:  starts by reminding us about the basics, red flags and then also the need for patient education and empowerment to manage their own pain, instead of relying solely on strong analgesia.  He also discourages unnecessary spine surgery and advises avoiding gabapentin or pregabalin...

Send a text IN THIS EPISODE:  Does the global war and conflict affect your role in Primary Care? Co-hosts Dawn Hunt and Munir Adam discuss the challenges healthcare professionals face due to global conflicts. Referring to the emotional toll and distress caused by news of the wars, they delve into how healthcare professionals should maintain professionalism when patients or colleagues share their o...