Wessex LMCs Podcasts
Welcome to Wessex LMCs podcasts. We will share good ideas, challenge your thoughts and introduce you to interesting people and projects all to support you in your work in general practice. The world of general practice is getting busier and busier, so why not listen to one of our audio podcasts whilst you are driving, at the gym, or during a break. We will share good ideas, challenge your thoughts and introduce you to interesting people and projects all to support you in your work in general practice. Do remember to record the time you have spent listening to our podcasts for your CPD. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in podcasts and webinars are guest speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wessex LMCs. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The Wessex LMC name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Who are we?
Wessex Local Medical Committees (LMCs) is the representative team, on behalf of the LMC Committees, covering all GPs and their Practices, operating across the counties of Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire. We also provide services to the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey.
Find us at www.wessexlmcs.com
Episodes

6 days ago
6 days ago
An opportunity for PMs to hear the latest guidance for practices from the team at Wessex LMCs.
Please see www.wessexlmcs.com/guidance/practice-manager-updates/ for slides and resources referred to in this recording.

7 days ago
7 days ago
In the fifth podcast of our Innovation Series, we take a look at whether innovation using technology and automation is suitable for all practices. Jenny Partridge (Innovation Manager, Kent, Surrey, Sussex) speaks to Practice Manager Shaun Austin about how to position trying new ways of working if the practice staff are comfortable working in a traditional way. They discuss lab results automation, how safe it is clinically, and how you can find out more about automation to assure yourself on its effectiveness.
Non-clinical uses of automation and AI are often an easier place to start and build confidence in the benefits of technological solutions; for example helping patients to register more easily or providing website assistants to help patients navigate to the services they need.

Thursday May 22, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025
Professor Ryan Buchanan (Wessex Clinical Hepatitis C Lead) and Dr Nicholas Ballantyne (Wessex Clinical Hepatitis C GP Champion) talk to Dr Laura Edwards (Joint CEO Wessex LMCs) about the complete transformation in treatment approach and outcomes for Hepatitis C and talk about the possibility of elimination of this disease. Listen to this good news story and share the positive message.
Look at HepCulater: https://www.hepculater.com/ for more resources and for self referral for free NHS testing and follow up for your patients.

Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
This is the fourth episode in our Innovation podcast series.
Alex Kimber, Managing Partner at The Grove Medical Centre & Wessex PM Supporter is keen to use innovation to find solutions. Alex talks to Jenny Partridge, Innovation Manager at Health Innovation Kent, Surrey, Sussex about the recording of consultations, registration processes & an efficient use of time using meeting-recording software. As ever change management and the funding of innovation is discussed and the podcast is hosted by Louise Greenwood, Director of Education & Training, Wessex LMCs.

Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
Introducing a new product or way of working can be seen as the way to fix a problem, but why is it that an innovation that works well for one practice does not work so well for a neighbouring practice?
What is it that helps an innovation be introduced successfully?
In the third of our innovation podcast series, Jenny Partridge, Innovation Manager at Health Innovation Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Louise Greenwood, Director of Education & Training at Wessex LMCs discuss some of the findings from discussions with practices who have all implemented the same innovation, but with widely varying results. Learn what you can do to help ensure that the innovation you introduce works well.
Automation of admin tasks – examples of products & further reading
BetterLetter
GP Automate
Healthtech1
Rapid Health
Case study: Transforming primary care access and efficiency through Smart Triage
An evaluation of Rapid Health’s Smart Triage at The Groves Medical Centre
eGPlearning – eGPlearning (episodes 488 & 489)
Administrative triage using digital tools in General Practice – elearning for healthcare
Digital Resources Hub | Health Innovation Wessex
Innovation Portal – Health Innovation South West

Thursday May 15, 2025
Thursday May 15, 2025
In this podcast, Zoe Tobin, Nurse Advisor for Wessex LMCs is kindly joined by Dr Kate Szymankiewicz, a GP in a Wiltshire practice, with a specialist interest in Tourette's syndrome and young people’s mental health, to raise awareness around the syndrome and in particular the role of the GP in the patient’s journey and diagnosis, the podcast will cover:
What is Tourette’s Syndrome - is there a known cause, other co- existing conditions and associated stigma and challenges of living with the syndrome
How do you diagnose - when do the symptoms first present, can this develop at anytime to anyone, what is the difference between experiencing ‘ticks’ and a diagnosis of Tourette’s Syndrome
How can we support the individual and family post diagnosis - impact a diagnosis can bring for the individual and their family, strategies to support them.
What support is available for the individual and their families - where can we signpost for further support.
Where can I access learning support as a clinician - e-learning modules and further resources.
Supporting resources:
e-learning modules:
TA website Tourettes Action eLearning Module (tourettes-action.org.uk)
NHS Learning Hub - Resource (learninghub.nhs.uk)
Tourette’s Action homepage: https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/
Functional symptoms: https://neurosymptoms.org/en/

Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
An opportunity for PMs to hear the latest guidance for practices from the team at Wessex LMCs.
Please see www.wessexlmcs.com/guidance/practice-manager-updates/ for slides and resources referred to in this recording

Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
This is the second in our series on Innovation led by Jenny Partridge, Innovation Manager at Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex.
Smart triage is one solution to the problem faced in general practice of balancing patients’ clinical needs with practice clinical capacity. It is a way of automating the triage process, allocating patient appointments based on their clinical need and approved patient pathway, saving clinical and admin time in the triage and reception process.
This podcast discusses why you might consider implementing smart triage, how you could justify it, and shares some tips for implementation. Hear from Cathie Sims, a practice manager who implemented a smart triage system recently and the positive impact this has had on her practice, both for patients and staff. Dan Ferrett, a Practice Manager & Practice Manager Supporter, is considering smart triage & explores the concerns about making such a change, including patient safety, accessibility for all patients and data security questions.
Automation of admin tasks – examples of products & further reading
BetterLetter
GP Automate
Healthtech1
Rapid Health
Case study: Transforming primary care access and efficiency through Smart Triage
An evaluation of Rapid Health’s Smart Triage at The Groves Medical Centre
eGPlearning – eGPlearning (episodes 488 & 489)
Administrative triage using digital tools in General Practice – elearning for healthcare
Digital Resources Hub | Health Innovation Wessex
Innovation Portal – Health Innovation South West

Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
An opportunity for PMs to hear the latest guidance for practices from the team at Wessex LMCs.
Please see www.wessexlmcs.com/guidance/practice-manager-updates/ for slides and resources referred to in this recording

Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
In the first of our series of innovation podcasts, two PM Supporters Jenny Partridge & Sue Scott discuss how and why AI & Automation can make general practice more effective. Jenny is the Innovation Manager from Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex and answers questions posed by Sue such as – how do you start in this daunting world of AI? Jenny identifies some quick wins - registrations, repeat prescriptions and lab results and suggests what your next steps might be. Sue and Jenny also look at change fatigue and how to introduce innovation when the team is at full capacity.
Automation of admin tasks- examples of products & further reading
BetterLetter
GP Automate
Healthtech1
Rapid Health
Case study: Transforming primary care access and efficiency through Smart Triage
An evaluation of Rapid Health’s Smart Triage at The Groves Medical Centre
eGPlearning - eGPlearning (episodes 488 & 489)
Administrative triage using digital tools in General Practice - elearning for healthcare
Innovation Checklist: Innovations and New Ways of Working - Wessex LMCs
Digital Resources Hub | Health Innovation Wessex
Innovation Portal - Health Innovation South West