Red Whale Primary Care Pod

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Adverse childhood experiences do not stay in childhood. They can echo through physical health, mental wellbeing, health behaviours and the way people engage with care. 
This episode explores the landmark ACE research, what it can teach us about complex and recurrent presentations, and how a trauma-informed approach can make consultations feel safer, more respectful and more effective. 
Press play for a compassionate, practical conversation that may change how you see the patient who keeps coming back but never quite seems to get better.
Useful Links
Public Health Wales: adverse childhood experiences (Vimeo)
Explores ACEs and their impact across the life course from the point of view of one family. This is compelling viewing and would be a great addition to safeguarding training for your practice team
TED Talks: How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime
GP Trainee Essentials support package information, and the Red Whale Calendar
Send us your feedback podcast@redwhale.co.uk or send a voice message

Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited.  Find out more here.

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Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.

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“Can you just have a look at this mole?” and “I can’t take penicillin” are familiar phrases in primary care, but both can lead to difficult decisions. 
In this episode, we explore how to recognise suspicious, unusual and easily missed melanomas, including which risk factors and examination clues matter most, before tackling the difference between a true penicillin allergy and a troublesome side-effect. 
With practical pointers on referral, safety-netting and clearer allergy documentation, this is an episode to help you approach two common clinical uncertainties with greater confidence.
Useful Links
Websites describing appearances of lesions in different skin types:
BAD Skin Health Info - skin of colour
Dermnet NZ - skin conditions in skin of colour
Nottingham Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology - skin of colour
GP Trainee Essentials support package information, and the Red Whale Calendar
Send us your feedback podcast@redwhale.co.uk or send a voice message

Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited.  Find out more here.

Follow us:  Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.

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Not every consultation about periods or pregnancy comes with a straightforward answer. Join Nik and Lucy as they unpack reproductive health in inflammatory bowel disease, including contraception, medication reviews, pregnancy and breastfeeding, before tackling the questions that often make adolescent menstrual consultations tricky: what is normal, what needs investigating, which treatments can be offered and when to refer. A practical episode packed with useful pointers for the next time you are in your consulting room.
Useful Links
The Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy website (BUMPS)
GP Trainee Essentials support package information, and the Red Whale Calendar
Send us your feedback podcast@redwhale.co.uk or send a voice message

Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited.  Find out more here.

Follow us:  Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.

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Ever said “yes, that’s fine” while every part of you was quietly saying “absolutely not”? In this episode, Nik is joined by Red Whale mental health lead Lee David for a practical, warmhearted conversation about communicating our needs and setting boundaries in primary care. They explore why clinicians so often put themselves last, how guilt can muddy the waters, and why boundaries are less about being difficult and more about protecting the time, energy and wellbeing we need to keep doing the job well. With relatable examples, the DEAR framework for tricky conversations, and simple ways to say “no” without ruining relationships, this is a timely listen for anyone feeling stretched, overcommitted, or in need of permission to pause before saying yes.
GP Trainee Essentials support package information, and the Red Whale Calendar
Send us your feedback podcast@redwhale.co.uk or send a voice message

Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited.  Find out more here.

Follow us:  Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.

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This is a timely, thoughtful episode that tackles two issues primary care can’t afford to file under “too difficult” or “summer problem”. Fiona and Nik explore how bias can quietly shape consultations, clinical reasoning and patient experience, especially when we’re tired, rushed or relying on first impressions, with practical ways to pause, reflect and challenge assumptions. 
They then turn to heat-related illness, a growing risk for patients we see every day, from young children and pregnant women to older people, outdoor workers, people who are socially isolated or using certain medications. 
If you want a practical, compassionate update on spotting who is at risk, recognising heat-related illness as a spectrum, and knowing when rapid cooling and emergency action are needed, press play now.
Useful links
NHS Midlands Leadership Academy – unconscious bias toolkit
NHS equality, diversity, and inclusion improvement plan
NHS England – conscious inclusion 
GP Trainee Essentials support package information, and the Red Whale Calendar
Send us your feedback podcast@redwhale.co.uk or send a voice message

Sign up to receive Pearls here. Pearls are available for 3 months from publish date. After this, you can get access them plus 100s more articles when you buy a one-day online course from Red Whale OR sign up to Red Whale Unlimited.  Find out more here.

Follow us:  Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in this podcast is accurate and correct at the date of publication, but it is of necessity of a brief and general nature, and this should not replace your own good clinical judgement, or be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice in appropriate circumstances. In particular, check drug doses, side-effects and interactions with the British National Formulary. Save insofar as any such liability cannot be excluded at law, we do not accept any liability for loss of any type caused by reliance on the information in this podcast.