Doctors Lisa and Sara talk to GPs Dr Joanna Bircher, Dr Lucy Spurrell and Dr Dario Rydel about their experiences in different roles in General practice; salaried, partner and locum. The aim of the episode is for GPs or GP trainees listening to get a flavour of their experiences and to understand the pros and cons of each of those roles in general practice, with a particular focus on the partnership model and the benefits of becoming a partner. Useful resources:  GPOnline Talking General Practice Podcast, Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer on the GP contract and the fight for a better deal: https ..read more

Doctors Lisa and Sara talk to Dr Tim Dalton, a GP in Wigan, and Chair of the Greater Manchester GP Provider Board. The focus of today’s episode is all about how general practice is funded. They cover how it is different from other NHS settings, the sources of income in general practice and the flow of money through the system, DES’, LES’ and QOF, the place of PCNs and Federations, as well as talking about different types of GP contracts and what these mean. To note: this was recorded in March 2024, just before the new contract details were released and so doesn't contain the specifics of the n ..read more

Doctors Lisa and Sara are joined this week by Satty Boyes (Senior programme manager) and  Lorna Laflin (Previous Practice Manager who works with the GP Excellence team). They discuss a new platform in Greater Manchester for the non-clinical workforce within General Practice, which allows staff to explore progression pathways,  track their professional progress, and access learning opportunities all in one place.  Some quotes from those who have accessed the platform already:  “I think this is an absolutely wonderful tool and wish that there had been something like this avai ..read more

Doctors Lisa and Sara talk to Specialty Doctor Caitriona MacDermott about anticipatory prescribing for Palliative patients. An area where there has been much learning over the last several years, it is a good opportunity to get some teaching on why this is the case, the stages involved in recognition and addressing symptoms at the end of life, the need for regular reviews in terms of the potential for change and her advice on how she opens up conversations around future needs, death and symptom control.  You can use these podcasts as part of your CPD - we don’t do certificates but they st ..read more

This is the second episode in our MSK mini-series. Doctors Lisa and Sara speak to Tom Smith and Charlotte Barker again, who are First Contact Practitioners in Wigan. The focus of this chat is shoulder pain - using a hypothetical case to discuss important history points, red flags, useful examination tips, differential diagnoses and further assessment options. You can use these podcasts as part of your CPD - we don’t do certificates but they still count :) Useful resources:  Escape Pain: https://escape-pain.org/ Be Well Wigan: https://www.wigan.gov.uk/BeWell/index.aspx Versus Arthrit ..read more

This is the second episode in our MSK mini-series. Doctors Lisa and Sara speak to Tom Smith and Charlotte Baker again, who are First Contact Practitioners in Wigan. The focus of this chat is shoulder pain - using a hypothetical case to discuss important history points, red flags, useful examination tips, differential diagnoses and further assessment options. You can use these podcasts as part of your CPD - we don’t do certificates but they still count :) Useful resources:  British Elbow and Shoulder Society guidelines: https://bess.ac.uk/national-guidelines/ British Elbow and Shoulder ..read more

This is the first episode in a three part MSK mini-series, which aims to briefly capture important features in history, examination and further investigations of common joint presentations. Doctors Sara and Lisa speak to Tom Smith and Charlotte Baker who are First Contact Physiotherapists in Wigan. Back pain is the focus of this episode, with a fictional case used to chat through history, examination, red flags and further assessment of this very common primary care topic. You can use these podcasts as part of your CPD - we don’t do certificates but they still count :) Useful resources:  ..read more

Doctors Lisa and Sara talk to Senior Pharmacist Sarah Hafeez about Polypharmacy. She explains the difference between inappropriate and appropriate polypharmacy before talking through some typical cases that illustrate several examples of common scenarios.  This leads to discussions on prioritising concerns, weaning/stopping medications, counselling patients on the effects of Opioids and Gabapentinoids and involving community teams aiming for successful reductions of addiction forming medications. Other gems include a discussion of the potential long term risks of Proton Pump Inhibitors an ..read more

Doctors Lisa and Sara speak with Dr Anne Connolly, a GP with a special in Gynaecology, trained hysteroscopist, and founding member of the Primary Care Women's Health Forum, where she just stepped down as chair in 2023. They speak about the importance of raising awareness about women’s health problems such as heavy menstrual bleeding, how underappreciated it can be, and the impact it can have on women’s lives. They then use cases to illustrate the assessment and management of heavy menstrual bleeding, making sure to touch on risk factors, concerning features and differentials. You can use these ..read more

Doctors Sara and Lisa discuss the podcast episodes over the year. We talk about our longer term learning points, how the year has gone and what's to come. ___ We really want to make these episodes relevant and helpful: if you have any questions or want any particular areas covered then contact us on Twitter @PCKBpodcast, or leave a comment on our quick anonymous survey here: https://pckb.org/feedback Email us at: primarycarepodcasts@gmail.com ___ This podcast has been made with the support of GP Excellence and Wigan CCG. Given that it is recorded with Greater Manchester clinicians, the informa ..read more