Wessex LMCs Podcasts

Innovation Success Stories

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

Tourette's Syndrome and the role of the GP

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/
 

Implementing Smart Triage

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

An Introduction to AI & Automation in General Practice

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

Equity in Action: The Role of Reasonable Adjustments

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

Practice Supervisor / Assessor role- supporting Student Nurses in General Practice

In this podcast, Zoe Tobin (previous Nurse Advisor) is 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

Tuberculosis in Primary Care

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.

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, (previous Nurse Advisor) is 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