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

Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
In this podcast, Zoe Tobin, Nurse Advisor at Wessex LMCs, is kindly joined by Karen Hawksworth, registered nurse, and course leader for adult nursing at Southampton Solent University and HIOW Autism Ambassador. They discuss reasonable adjustments including;
What do we mean by a reasonable adjustment?
What does the law say about reasonable adjustments?
Examples of reasonable adjustments
Examples of how reasonable adjustments have worked well or not been effective
How do we overcome the risk of in-direct discrimination?
Sources of support and guidance
Related resources:
B0467_i_sensory-friendly-resource-pack.pdf
Professionals- National Autistic Society
GP Surgery | Mencap
LeDeR Report 2022
Autism Ambassador Scheme for Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and Isle of Wight

Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Tuesday Apr 08, 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 02, 2025
Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
In this podcast, Zoe Tobin, Nurse Advisor for Wessex LMCs is kindly joined by Gemma Burley, Registered Nurse, and course lead for the Foundation degree in Health & Social Care at Southampton Solent University. They discuss the role of the Practice Supervisor (PS) and Practice Assessor (PA) in supporting nursing students in general practice.
This podcast covers:
Why the PS/PA was introduced by the NMC, in place of the ‘sign off mentor’ role
The difference between the PS & PA roles and the role of the Academic Assessor (AA)
Accountability concerns- around the use of the term ‘proficiencies’ and recognised lack of available support and training for PS/PA in general practice
Training and support available for PS/PAs
Tips on how to support a struggling student- role of the PA/AA, action plans and reasonable adjustments
Benefits of having a student nurse in practice.
Practice Assessor Training, Wednesday, June 4 · 9am - 5pm, Find out more and book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/practice-assessor-training-tickets-1292648359039?aff=oddtdtcreator

Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
In this podcast, Dr Andy Purbrick, Wessex LMCs Joint CEO is joined by David Thomas, TB Consultant Nurse from University Hospital Dorset.
They discuss important aspects of Tuberculosis (TB), particularly focusing on the rise in TB cases, screening, risk factor groups and common signs and symptoms associated with the disease.

Friday Mar 21, 2025
Friday Mar 21, 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

Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 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

Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Dr Laura Edwards, Joint CEO at Wessex LMCs, discusses this hot topic with Dr Helen Thomas.
What is your child doing with their smartphone?
What are teenagers doing?
Just how bad are these devices for their health? - and what can we actually do?
Hear about Helen’s inspiring work and steps that you can take. An eye opening listen!

Thursday Feb 06, 2025
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
In this podcast Dr Camilla Janssen talks with Dr Jenny Rattray, GP Retainer and GP advisor at Wessex Cancer Alliance. She has an interest in urological cancers and has just completed the Prostate Cancer UK Primary Care Programme.
They discuss:
The new consensus statement on PSA testing for prostate cancer.
The background of prostate cancer and the diagnostic challenges, i.e. trying to catch it early without over diagnosing.
Looking at which patients are at high risk.
Thinking about when it's appropriate to test men without symptoms and how to counsel them before giving them a PSA test.
The pros and cons of the PSA test itself.
What symptoms would make clinicians think about offering a PSA test.
Evolution in the diagnostic pathway and the implications of this.
When interpreting a PSA test what additional things to take into account.
Older patients and the implications of testing and referring into fast track pathways.
Wessex Cancer Alliance - https://wessexcanceralliance.nhs.uk/
Consensus Statement on PSA Testing for Prostate Cancer 2025.pdf

Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
In this podcast Zoe Tobin, Nurse Advisor at Wessex LMCs is kindly joined by Connie Timmins and Jenny Bennett- Britton, IPC Leads for BSW ICB to discuss all things Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) in terms of the challenges we face this winter in primary care and tips on how to manage any potential concerns or infections.
This podcast covers:
Current circulating infections (such as influenza, Covid and RSV) that we are managing in primary care
Potential community outbreaks and care homes
Practical solutions for practices, including PPE, IP&C measures, patient placement etc
Management of staff with confirmed or suspected respiratory infections
Resources:
NHS England » National infection prevention and control manual (NIPCM) for England
NHS England » National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness
Infection Prevention and Control in General Practice - Wessex LMCs
Mpox - Wessex LMCs- although not covered in podcast, some great resources and updates shared by Connie & Jenny available here

Wednesday Jan 08, 2025
Wednesday Jan 08, 2025
Wessex LMCs Joint CEO, Dr Andy Purbrick, is joined by Dr Jason Mainwaring, Consultant Haematologist to discuss top tips on dealing with haematology in General Practice.
As referenced in this discussion, please see Jason’s document covering common advice and guidance for GPs here: HAEMATOLOGY GP ADVICE AND GUIDANCE 2024.pdf