Wessex LMCs Podcasts

Wessex LMCs PM Update - 19 February 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

Smartphones and our children – what you need to know

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!

PSA testing for Prostate Cancer

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

Winter Readiness - Infection Prevention and Control

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

Top Tips on dealing with haematology in General Practice

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

The Financial Challenges and Realities of Becoming a GP Partner

Wessex LMCs presents a podcast on the financial challenges and realities of becoming a GP Partner. Dr Will Howard, a GP Partner for 22 years and a Medical Director at Wessex LMCs chats with Peter Farrier, a Director at Morris Crocker Accountants, a Medical Specialist Accountant. The pair talk through starting out as a Partner, tax planning, mid-career opportunities and retirement planning, amongst other areas. We hope you find the information they share useful.

Hepatitis C – a good news story

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.
 
 

Safe Working - it's transformational

Need to re-charge, refresh and re-imagine? Do listen to Dr Steph Carter and Dr Claire Hodgekiss discuss improving access for patients and taking back control. Steph's practice created a better workplace culture as the team worked together to improve capacity and care. Claire's practice took back control of the daily contacts to improve care. Dr Laura Edwards encourages you to listen as the New Year approaches. 

Awareness and Support around Drink Spiking

Dr Laura Edwards, Joint CEO at Wessex LMCs, speaks with Helena Conibear, Founder and CEO of the Talk About Trust (formally the Alcohol Education Trust). The Talk About Trust is a charity which works to keep young people safe around alcohol ,vaping, cannabis and other substances.
They discuss the ongoing issue of drink spiking including:
The latest stats on how many people are affected
Common substances used for spiking
The effects of drink spiking
How to report drink spiking & the support available
https://life-stuff.org/spiking-what-to-do/ - Information for victims of spiking and what people should do if they have been spiked.
https://www.wessexlmcs.com/guidance/support-around-drink-spiking/Support around Drink Spiking - 

The Financial Burden on GP Practices

Wessex LMCs Joint CEO Dr Laura Edwards talks to BBC Radio Solent about the significant threat to GP Practices with the rise in National Insurance contributions.
Laura also highlights the existing financial pressures General Practice is already facing.
You can read the accompanying online article featuring Wessex LMCs Joint CEO Dr Andy Purbrick 'Surgeries on 'precipice' ahead of tax hike, says GP' here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdrdem1mr16o
(Recorded 20th November 2024)