Explore every episode of the podcast Red Whale Primary Care Pod
Dive into the complete episode list for Red Whale Primary Care Pod. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Managing menopause after a diagnosis of breast cancer
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or your drink of choice and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the first of two episodes this month, Fi and Nik have special guest Lucy Cox, the Red Whale women’s health course lead to discuss :
Managing menopause after breast cancer. A diagnosis of breast cancer is life-changing at any age. Women in this situation will commonly seek our advice and we really want to help them at this vulnerable time, but for pre- and perimenopausal women conflicting media coverage over the safety of different menopause treatment options after breast cancer have created a recipe for confusion and frustration for patients and clinicians alike...
We'll also briefly cover ultra-processed food. Joe Wicks’ recent documentary ‘Licensed to Kill’ has brought this topic back into the spotlight. While the scare-tactic language in the title and promo are perhaps not the best way to support people to make sustained change, the programme contained some important points and may well result in questions coming primary care’s way. We have an exclusive clip of Nik talking to Hussain all about this on Boggled Docs.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
Further Pearls from October will be covered next time.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Who is eligible for cervical cancer screening, and how do you decide whether varicella post-exposure prophylaxis is needed?
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, and perhaps a pumpkin spice latte, and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the second of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
The NEW cervical screening intervals that apply in England from 1 July 2025: moving to a 5-yearly screening interval for all women and people with a cervix aged 25–64y who have tested negative for HPV and have no other risk factors (those living with HIV will be offered an annual screen).
Varicella vaccination- this will finally be rolled out as part of the UK childhood vaccination schedule from 1 January 2026 – this is good news. What you might have missed is that guidance on post-exposure prophylaxis from the UKHSA has changed…wait for it…3 times in the past 2 years! We share our article on varicella and provide everything you need to know to decide whether post-exposure prophylaxis is needed.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Why do people living with severe mental illness (SMI) face one of the greatest health equality gaps in the UK?
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the first of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
Glue ear: should we refer as soon as we suspect?
Contraception after a diagnosis of breast cancer: supporting choice.
Physical health and severe mental illness: can we reduce significant health inequalities?
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
The rest of the Pearls from May will be covered next week.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Two challenges in primary care: Lynch syndrome and pelvic inflammatory disease
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the second of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
Lynch syndrome: what’s the role of primary care? How can people access testing, and what support and surveillance can be offered?
Diagnosing pelvic inflammatory disease: a challenge in general practice. We consider how we can approach making a diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease in general practice. This is important because it has significant sequelae, including subfertility and chronic pelvic pain.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear a best intentions story that suggests there might be problems developing ‘down below’!
Lynch syndrome: what does it mean for general practice?
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Neurodiversity in the workforce, and spotting and supporting those with Parkinson's disease
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the first of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
Neurodiversity in the workforce. We’ve been teaching about autism, ADHD and the umbrella approach to neurodiversity on our digital and face to face courses. You told us that you found this useful and empowering, in supporting patients and colleagues. So, we thought we’d share our article on supporting a neurodiverse workforce – this might provide tips we can apply to ourselves, to a trainee or a colleague.
Spotting and supporting those with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is increasing in prevalence as our population ages. Our role in primary care is to spot it early and refer and then, alongside our secondary care colleagues, to support people living with the condition with potentially complex symptoms and drug regimens.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
The rest of the Pearls from April will be covered next week along with a new best intentions story to put a smile on your face.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the second of two episodes this month, Fiona and Nik discuss:
What jumped out at us from our brand new video byte: ‘Ramadan - Impact on diabetes and other chronic illnesses’
Spotting Myeloma… let’s make it less tricky. Myeloma has been a popular topic in our recent Cancer and GP Update courses. So, to celebrate the launch of the NEW season of GP Update courses we wanted to share this Pearl on myeloma.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear a best intentions story that will have you checking what you’re drying your hands with!
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Anabolic steroid use - body image issues and the pursuit of a muscular physique
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, your gardening clothes or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the first of two episodes this month, Fiona and Nik discuss:
Anabolic steroid use. Body image concerns and pursuing an increasingly muscular appearance is becoming a growing issue, particularly for men and boys.
Nature… so important that we should prescribe it? Yes! Special guest Hussain Al-Zubaidi joins us to talk about the power of nature and green social prescribing in transforming patient health.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
The rest of the Pearls from March will be covered next week along with a new best intentions story to put a smile on your face.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
I've got a pain in my foot... and these mouth ulcers won't clear up...
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the second of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
‘I’ve got a pain in my foot.’ Do you feel less confident when consulting about feet? We can help…
‘These mouth ulcers won’t clear up.’ We talk about Behçet’s syndrome, a rare multi system inflammatory condition.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear a best intentions story that will have you in a spin!
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Fast steps: the evidence about dance for health, and supporting patients through Ramadan
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, your dancing shoes or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the first of two episodes this month, Ali, Nik and special guests Hussain Al-Zubaidi and Osman Bhatti discuss:
Dance for health. What is the evidence that this helps. Which disease is particularly helped by the tango?
Ramadan: supporting patients with long-term conditions. How can we best support those with long-term conditions during this time?
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
The rest of the Pearls from February will be covered next week along with a new best intentions story to put a smile on your face.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Something we never want to miss, and something we might have missed... cauda equina syndrome, and the new NICE guidance on menopause- any changes to our practice?
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the second of two episodes this month, Fiona and Nik discuss:
Spinal cord compression and cauda equina syndrome. They’re on our (long!) list of things we never want to miss. They’re uncommon presentations, but they cause us a lot of anxiety. We can help…
The new NICE guidance on menopause, published in December 2024. Much stayed the same, but we focus on the bits that may change our practice…
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear a best intentions story that will have you checking your phone and your headphones before launching into your next consultation!
Spinal cord compression and cauda equina syndrome
Red flags to screen for malignancy and fracture in patients with low back pain: systematic review
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Do physical activity monitors actually help us get moving?
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the first of two episodes this month, Fiona and Nik discuss:
Acute cough and pneumonia in adults. Who needs face-to-face assessment? Who needs antibiotics?
‘I got this new gadget’… we consider technology to support health and wellbeing.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
The rest of the Pearls from January will be covered next week along with a new best intentions story to put a smile on your face.
Acute cough and pneumonia in adults
The Independent: ‘What is a quad-demic?’ 12.12.2024
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
The wellbeing episode- supporting ourselves, family members and patients
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the second of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
Wintering, time to restore ourselves. We share an article from our lifestyle medicine course, offering a roadmap to wellbeing that we can use to support ourselves, family members and patients as we embark on 2025.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear a best intentions story that will have you double checking the address before going on a home visit!
Roadmap to wellbeing: microskills for positive change
Clinican wellbeing articles on Red Whale Knowledge:
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, and enjoy the crunchy leaves under your feet as you savour your drink of choice and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the first of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
Asthma: the autumn spike. The Primary Care Respiratory Society has drawn our attention to this. It refers to the significant increase in asthma admissions that occurs each autumn in the UK, particularly impacting children and young people. We can help prevent this by ensuring every person living with asthma has a personalised asthma action plan, appropriate prevention treatment, annual review AND review after every exacerbation.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
The rest of the Pearls from September will be covered next time.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Spotting pertussis and antibiotic prophylaxis for STIs
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the first of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
3% of adults presenting to primary care with an acute cough have pertussis, but would you spot it?
What is our role in primary care if a patient approaches us for advice about antibiotic prophylaxis for STIs?
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
The rest of the Pearls from December will be covered next week along with a new best intentions story to put a smile on your face.
Whooping Cough Net - symptoms (examples of full-blown whooping cough and attenuated forms in immunised individuals. Also information for patients about why treatment is ineffective. Site by Doug Jenkinson, a GP in ( Nottinghamshire)
Testing guidelines from the UKHSA can be found here.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Why don’t we have a national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK?
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, your jingle bells, or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the second of two episodes this month, Fiona and Nik discuss:
Diagnosing diabetes: do you know MODY from LADA?
PSA testing in asymptomatic men. Why don’t we have a national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK?
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear a best intentions story that will have you patting your seat before you sit down!
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Which itchy condition has a quality-of-life reduction similar to patients waiting for a CABG?
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, your jingle bells, or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the first of two episodes this month, Fiona and Nik discuss:
Chronic urticaria. How confident are you in spotting and managing it?
Preparing for the worst…we consider the important issue of bleeding and haemorrhage in advanced cancer.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
The rest of the Pearls from November will be covered next week along with a new best intentions story to put a smile on your face.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Grab your trainers, your dog lead or a pumpkin spice latte and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. October was another bumper month of information, meaning that we can’t possibly squeeze it all into one handy sized episode, so in the second of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
Mpox- what do we need to know after the WHO declared Mpox a ‘public health emergency of international concern’ ?
Ovarian cancer: genetic risk. Did you know that reducing the risk of ovarian cancer death with risk-reduction surgery is an alternative for some at higher genetic risk of the disease, and is now recommended by NICE?
Gut microbiome: cutting through the noise. We unpack the growing understanding of the importance of the gut microbiome, why it matters and future practical applications…
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear a best intentions story where you will feel for everyone involved!
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
HRT, bleeding and endometrial cancer... Have you had more phone calls and e-consults?
Grab your trainers, your dog lead or a pumpkin spice latte and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. October was another bumper month of information, meaning that we can’t possibly squeeze it all into one handy sized episode, so in the first of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
HRT, bleeding and endometrial cancer... Have you had more phone calls and e-consults? Recent media coverage has made this a topic that we all need to know about.
Big changes in the UK vaccination schedules. We help you to update and refresh your knowledge in this fast-changing area.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
The rest of the Pearls from October will be covered next week along with a new best intentions story to put a smile on your face.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Grab your trainers, your dog lead or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. September was another bumper month of information, meaning that we can’t possibly squeeze it all into one handy sized episode, so in the second of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
Nephrotic syndrome in children: would you spot it?
Broken heart? Think Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear a best intentions story where a urine dip rang alarm bells for the wrong reason!
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Alopecia: when to reassure, when a prompt referral to secondary care is needed, and everything in between...
Grab your trainers, your dog lead or a pumpkin spice latte and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. September was another bumper month of information, meaning that we can’t possibly squeeze it all into one handy sized episode, so in the first of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
How to approach alopecia consultations. Having a framework for conditions that patients have to pluck up courage to ask about can be really helpful…
Workplace-based assessment (WPBA) demystified. We’re here to support the next generation of GP trainees, along with their supervisors.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
The rest of the Pearls from September will be covered next week along with a new best intentions story to put a smile on your face.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
HRT regimens and progestogen dosing: time to change our practice?
Grab your trainers, your dog lead or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. August was another bumper month of information, meaning that we can’t possibly squeeze it all into one handy sized episode, so in the second of two episodes this month, Caroline and Nik discuss:
The national Medical Examiner System- big changes came into play in England and Wales on 9th September 2024. How’s it going for you?
HRT regimens and progestogen dosing: time to change our practice? Unopposed oestrogen can increase the risk of endometrial cancer, so it must be balanced with an adequate dose of progestogen. But what is an adequate dose?
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear a best intentions story where a good deed ended up with one of our listeners wedged under a bed in a nursing home!
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Help with decision fatigue when managing all types of anaemia in primary care
Grab your trainers, your dog lead or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. August was another bumper month of information, meaning that we can’t possibly squeeze it all into one handy sized episode, so in the first of two episodes this month, Caroline and Nik discuss:
Wilson’s disease. How would you go about testing for this? What should you look out for?
How to approach all types of anaemia in primary care. Please share our GEMS with new Team GP members.
Tick-borne encephalitis: when to vaccinate.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
The rest of the Pearls from August will be covered next week along with a new best intentions story to put a smile on your face.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Should I worry about aminoglycoside antibiotic ear drops causing deafness?
Grab your trainers, your dog lead or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. July was another bumper month of information and we couldn't squeeze it all into one handy sized episode, so in the second of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
All things worm related. You’ve been requesting it, so here it is!
We may well be getting more calls about painful/ itchy/ discharging ears. Otitis external may be one explanation!
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear a best intentions story involving a bottle of champagne and false hopes! All to put a smile on your face!
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Obesity and weight management in pregnancy; plus CBT for menopausal symptoms: hero, villain or just difficult to access?
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or your drink of choice and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the second of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
Obesity and weight management in pregnancy. NICE produced updated guidance on nutrition and weight management in pregnancy earlier this year. Special guest Hussain Al-Zubaidi, joins us to discuss it all…
CBT for menopausal symptoms: hero, villain or just difficult to access? We take a look at the evidence for and potential benefits of CBT for menopause symptoms, and consider access issues- you can make up your own mind!
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And we have a best intentions story to put a smile on your face…
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Untreated, 50% of men and 30% of women with this condition will have had a myocardial infarction by the age of 60
Grab your trainers, your dog lead or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. July was another bumper month of information, meaning that we can’t possibly squeeze it all into one handy sized episode, so in the first of two episodes this month, Nik and guest presenter Ali discuss:
Seeing REDs with exercise? There are many benefits to physical training, but also some things we should be aware of- would you spot REDs?
Familial hypercholesterolaemia: why does it matter? Find out how we can make a huge difference in primary care.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
The rest of the Pearls from July will be covered next week along with a new best intentions story to put a smile on your face.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Gonorrhoea: prevention through vaccination. Also, emotionally-based school avoidance.
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, a cozy jumper, or your drink of choice and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the first of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
Gonorrhoea: prevention through vaccination. The UK ‘gonorrhoea vaccine’ recently became widely available through sexual health services. We’re here to help with any consultations you may have on this.
Emotionally-based school avoidance. We share our article on this so that we are prepared with key information if questions come our way.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
The rest of the Pearls from August will be covered next week.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
It's getting hot in here... hyperhidrosis. And hepatitis C: curable in more than 95% of affected individuals
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or your drink of choice-with ice- and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the second of two episodes this month, Fi and Nik discuss:
Hyperhidrosis- a year-round challenge for those who are affected. It significantly impacts quality of life, relationships and work. Hyperhidrosis is thought to be under-reported, possibly because people feel embarrassed. So, how should we approach the consultation if people do rais concerns?
Hepatitis C: curable in more than 95% of affected individuals. It’s recently been the WHO World Hepatitis Day, so what better time to re-share our article on Hepatitis C? It has been a popular and impactful topic over the past 18 months on our update courses.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hands up if you want to hear this month’s best intentions story… an axillary anecdote…
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Contraception, weight and GLP-1s. Plus, there is NO safe level of drinking alcohol: the missed message?
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or your drink of choice-with ice- and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the first of two episodes this month, Fi and Nik discuss:
Contraception, weight and GLP-1s: “Women on ‘skinny jabs’ must use effective contraception, MHRA urges in latest guidance” – Government press release, 5 June 2025. We share our newly-updated article on contraception and weight, which includes this MHRA guidance.
There is NO safe level of drinking: the missed message? Since 2016, the message from the UK Chief Medical Officer is clear: there is no safe level of drinking. This was a big change from previous messaging that has perhaps not fully reached the professional or public consciousness.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the second of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
E-cigarettes and vapes… in the news again. The recent ban on the sale of single-use, disposable vapes has been implemented, in part, because disposable vapes have been “cited as a key driver in the rise of youth vaping.” But can vaping be a positive thing for some of our patients? The story is nuanced, and we’re going to unpack it.
“The back of my heel hurts”… approaching pain in the Achilles region.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
And hear a best intentions story that might get you out of a messy situation in the future…
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Hyperkalaemia- who needs admission and who can be managed in the community?
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the first of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
Potassium 6.1… what should we do? We share a GEMS: assessing and managing hyperkalaemia in primary care.
Cancer, sexuality and gender: supporting LGBTQIA+ people with cancer screening, diagnosis and support when living with and beyond cancer.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
The rest of the Pearls from June will be covered next week.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
The gut microbiome: what do we need to know; and multiple sclerosis: suspecting it and supporting patients.
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or a cuppa and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the second of two episodes this month, Ali and Nik discuss:
The gut microbiome: what do we need to know? What is known, and what just isn’t known?
Multiple sclerosis: suspecting it and supporting patients.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Problematic social media use or addiction? ( Plus genital warts: what can be managed in primary care and what should be referred?)
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or your drink of choice and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the second of two episodes this month, Fi and Nik discuss:
Genital warts: spotting, treating and referring. Are you confident to diagnose? Do you know what additional screening should be offered? Are you comfortable with what can be managed in primary care and what should be referred?
Addictive behaviours. The word ‘addiction’ conjures specific images for each of us. Perhaps it is a person struggling to stop smoking, or a person who uses IV drugs? Or perhaps it is a behaviour more ‘normalised’ and ubiquitous in our society – alcohol or social media use? All can impact health. We share our article on addictive behaviours, and consider:
The difference between addiction and impulse control.
How we can identify addictive behaviour.
Factors that make individuals more susceptible.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Adrenal insufficiency and Addison’s disease. Plus a bacterial vaginosis plot twist?
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or even shake your jingle bells, and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the first of two episodes this month, Fi and Nik discuss :
Spotting adrenal crisis. Adrenal insufficiency and Addison’s disease can be easy to miss. We've recently updated our article on this, so we thought we’d share it as a Pearl, distilling the 2024 NICE guidance for you.
Recurrent bacterial vaginosis: time to consider partner treatment? Bacterial vaginosis is the commonest cause of pathological vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age. But it’s not an easy diagnosis for us to confirm – although we can suspect it clinically and manage empirically. We’ll give you a refresher on BV infection and diagnosis in primary care and then think about managing recurrent BV, where there’s a new development.
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
Further Pearls from November will be covered next time.
Addison’s Disease Self-help Group (include sections on emergency kits and sick day rules; there doesn’t appear to be a patient group for other forms of adrenal insufficiency)
GP Trainee Essentials support package information, and the Red Whale Calendar
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Sleigh the workload: flu antiviral know‑how & the art of not over‑testing to check "I'm well"...
Grab your trainers, your dog lead, or even shake your jingle bells, and join us for some free CPD as we have another relaxed round up of recent Red Whale primary care Pearls of wisdom. In the second of two episodes this month, Fi and Nik discuss:
It’s beginning to look a lot like…flu season. There’s been a LOT of media coverage on seasonal influenza over the past few weeks. But aside from flu jabs, are you confident in where we would use antivirals? We look at the criteria for giving antivirals: for treatment, for prophylaxis, and the evidence behind it.
“I would like a blood test to check I am well…” What do you do with this request? We share a handy framework to help, and think about how ‘just ticking a box’ could cause a lot of work down the line!
Listen as soon as you can to ensure you have full access to all the free resources.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Tick, Tick, Tick... Time To Update On An Allergy To Red Meat
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Domestic abuse affects patients and colleagues, yet it’s often unseen- so in this compassionate, practical episode Fiona and Nik walk you through what primary care can do right now:
How to spot warning signs
How we should use clinical inquiry (not universal screening)
How to respond to a disclosure with the LIVES framework
How to document safely in the electronic medical record
You’ll also hear why children and young people are recognised as victims in their own right, and how to notice and support a colleague who may be affected.
Do you know about the 999 “Silent Solution”?
All this is so you can feel more prepared, confident and informed in your next clinic.
Press play: the right conversation at the right moment can change a life.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Menopause, HRT and cognition: an update on the evidence
Fiona and Nik break down the latest evidence on menopause, HRT and cognition so you can feel confident when patients ask, “Should I be worried?”
Plus: in our second Pearl in this episode, practical tips for behaviour change that actually sticks, including how to spot those golden moments and use the STOP IT model to turn advice into action.
Tune in for clear answers and real‑world support for primary care.
Perfect for anyone in primary care who wants to feel informed, confident and ready for the inevitable “I saw this in the news...” conversation.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Grief in general practice and acting fast with meningitis
Grief touches every consulting room. In this episode we gently unpick how to support people after loss, using the RCGP framework “A Compassionate Bereavement Response”. Practical language you can use tomorrow, how to recognise prolonged grief disorder (including in children) and when to refer. The overlap with PTSD, and realistic ways we can look after ourselves as clinicians.
Then we change gear for an update on NICE’s 2024 guideline covering bacterial meningitis and meningococcal disease: the red flag combination that demands 999, when prehospital antibiotics are (and aren’t) advised, the easy to miss early signs, and robust safety netting.
Press play for compassionate care, sharper suspicions, and help to make the right clinical decisions when under pressure.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
This time Fiona and Nik serve up two “don’t miss” clinical challenges: precocious puberty—what’s normal vs red flags, who warrants urgent paediatric referral, and how to use the RCPCH puberty growth charts.
And bullous pemphigoid—how to spot it fast, common drug links and when to phone dermatology today: when was the last time you did that?
Useful Links
Growth charts from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) with ‘puberty lines’ that show the normal age limits for phases of puberty:
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Obesity and weight management in pregnancy, plus perianal masses: referral decisions and red flags
Two potentially practice changing pearls in one episode: we tackle obesity & weight management in pregnancy: how to raise it sensitively, what to do with BMI at booking, how to handle GLP‑1s pre‑conception, and what to say about folate, vitamin D, diet and activity. Then we demystify perianal masses: the red flags, and why the clock is ticking for thrombosed haemorrhoids. Plus a much needed best intentions story to put a smile on your face. Press play as we make your life easier and reignite your passion for primary care.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
The £158 million question: why aren’t we dancing to prevent falls?
Are you ready for a prescription that comes with sequins? This episode dives into the Let’s Dance campaign with special guests Angela Rippon and our very own Hussain Al‑Zubaidi, unpacking why dance isn’t just “a bit of fun” but a proper health intervention. Only 2% of UK adults dance regularly, yet it improves cardiovascular fitness, mood, memory, balance and social connection, with programmes like Dance to Health cutting falls risk significantly.
We discuss how to nudge patients (and ourselves) towards movement that people actually want to keep doing - because it feels joyful, not like homework. Press play if you’d like a practical, evidence-based way to get patients (and your practice) moving without mentioning “the gym” once.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Open wide: a primary care guide to common oral problems
Do you ever feel a bit lost when you see someone with a sore mouth, a furry tongue, or bad breath? This episode is your rapid confidence boost, delivered as a cheeky (virtual) 'million pound question' quiz between Nik and Fi. You’ll get a practical, primary care friendly approach to:
Dry mouth ( what it is, common causes, and when to worry)
Oral thrush (the assessment bits we all forget),
Recurrent mouth ulcers (types, triggers, red flags for urgent referral, and what actually helps)
Halitosis (from hygiene to halitophobia… plus one surprising cause).
Press play now and prepare for faster, safer, calmer oral consultations afterwards.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Don’t miss it, don’t harm them: brain tumour clues, and considering cancer and frailty
Headache in the consultation room is common; a brain tumour is (thankfully) not — and that’s exactly why we’re so prone to worry and to miss the subtle clues. In this episode, Nik and Fi cut through the noise on headaches, red flags and brain tumours. They explore how no single symptom reliably hits the NICE “refer” threshold, what to do with “headache +” and “cognitive +”, when to push for urgent imaging/referral, and how to safety net adults and children. Then they move on to a quietly game-changing topic: cancer and frailty — how to spot it, why it alters investigation and treatment risk, what to include in suspected cancer referrals, and practical steps that primary care clinicians can start today to reduce harm and improve outcomes.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Burnout: the signs we miss in ourselves (and spot in others)
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Hay fever and common running injuries. Two primary care problems, several surprises...
Hay fever consultations on your triage list, and runners limping in after the marathon/parkrun boom? This episode is just what you need!
We challenge the “minor ailment” myth of allergic rhinitis with 3 practice‑changing takeaways you can start using today. We also highlight some new allergen immunotherapy options you’ll start seeing in letters from secondary care, so you’re not wrong-footed when they land.
Then, fresh from running two marathons in 1 week, our guest Hussain Al-Zubaidi joins us to give you a primary care friendly framework for common running injuries. What actually helps, and how to keep injured runners active without crushing the thing that’s protecting their mental health.
Press play now if you want fewer repeat hay fever appointments, clearer “what next?” injury chats, and a couple of immediately usable action points for your whole team.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Homelessness in primary care: what helps, what harms
Homelessness isn’t just “sleeping rough”, it’s far more common than most of us realise. In this special episode, Nik and Fi unpack why health outcomes are so stark (including a 30 year life expectancy gap) and how much of the harm is potentially modifiable with effective healthcare.
You’ll hear about a shocking “mystery shopper” study that looked at primary care access. There are also some practical, doable changes for busy primary care: inclusive registration, reducing barriers at the front desk, being opportunistic with long‑term condition care and vaccines, simplifying medicines, safer prescribing when life is chaotic, and using a trauma‑informed approach that prioritises safety and trust.
If you want one listen this week that will genuinely change how your team welcomes, registers and cares for some of the most vulnerable patients — press play now.
Useful Links
Pathway (focuses on homelessness and health inclusion)
GP Trainee Essentials support package information, and the Red Whale Calendar
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
PMS and PMDD can be easy to miss, hard to diagnose, and life altering for the people living with them. In this special episode, Nik and Red Whale mental health lead Lee David tackle the patterns, pitfalls and practicalities that primary care teams need to know — from spotting cyclical symptoms and distinguishing PMDD from other mental health conditions, to suicide risk, first-line treatment and when to refer. Sensitive, clear and packed with take-home points, this is an essential listen if you want to recognise severe premenstrual symptoms sooner and respond with confidence and compassion.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Pregnancy weight gain: what is “normal"? The numbers NICE doesn’t quite give us…
Haven’t got time for CPD? Think again! In this super short special listener question episode, Nik and Fi respond to one of our listeners, Emma from Sheffield. She asks a deceptively tricky question: what actually counts as “normal” weight gain in pregnancy? With NICE not giving a neat definition of excessive gestational weight gain, they dig a bit deeper for answers…
Press play for a clear, mini-episode which gives the answer to a question many of us have probably wondered about — and a useful reminder that conversations about weight in pregnancy need both clinical confidence and careful language.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Gout without the guilt: diagnosis, flares and the 360 target
Gout is common, painful and might not get the attention it needs. This episode reframes gout as a long-term condition that deserves confident, compassionate consultations in primary care.
Nik and Fiona unpack the key practice-changing points from the latest guidelines and evidence, including why serum urate testing at presentation may challenge old habits.
Crucially, they also tackle the stigma: gout is not simply a lifestyle problem, genetics matter, and the way we explain this can reduce shame and improve engagement. Press play if you want a practical update that will sharpen your diagnosis, simplify follow-up, and help patients feel supported rather than blamed.
Useful Links
Primary Care IT (Primary Care IT has built a series of searches for gout. These integrate into your clinical systems)
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.
Dementia prevention, men’s health, and the art of making every contact count
Dementia prevention and men’s health are two topics that can feel too big for a ten or fifteen minute primary care consultation. Helping to make it feel more manageable, Fiona Ritchie and Nik Kendrew explore how we can talk positively about “brain health”, make sense of the 14 modifiable dementia risk factors, and spot the prevention wins hiding in routine consultations.
They also widen the lens on men’s health beyond urogenital symptoms, looking at cardiovascular risk, cancer, mental health, screening gaps, help-seeking behaviour and why the appointment that never happens may be the most important one.
Press play for practical, compassionate ideas to help every contact count, without adding another impossible job to the primary care to-do list.
Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited. Find out more here.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.