Advertise on podcast: Red Whale Primary Care Pod

Send us a text This episode tackles one of the most difficult consultations we face in primary care: supporting someone who may be thinking about suicide.  Nik and Lee explore how to ask clear, compassionate questions; understand thoughts, plans and intent without relying on tick-box risk scores; and respond with safety planning, appropriate referral and proactive follow-up.  Using A Man Called Otto to illuminate the person behind the presentation, they also consider how risk and protective factors can change, the value of asking “How are you, really?”, and the emotional impact of suicide on clinicians.  Press play for a practical conversation designed to help you feel more confident when your words, curiosity and willingness to listen really matter. Useful Links Useful resources for professionals: RCPsych - If a patient dies by suicide: a resource for mental health professionalsNHS Practitioner HealthUseful resources for patients: Samaritans (24h confidential helpline. Tel: 116 123. Email: [email protected]) The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) (an organisation dedicated to preventing male suicide. Tel: 0800 58 58 58) Staying Safe from suicidal thoughts (printable electronic safety plan template)distrACT (information and advice on how to manage difficult feelings, cope with a crisis and find help and support when you need it most)Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.

Send us a text 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, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.

Send us a text “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 colourDermnet NZ - skin conditions in skin of colourNottingham Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology - skin of colour GP Trainee Essentials support package information, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.

Send us a text 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, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.

Send us a text 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, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.

Send us a text 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, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.

Send us a text Dementia prevention and men’s health are two topics that can feel too big for a ten or fifteen minute primary care consultation. Helping to make it feel more manageable, Fiona Ritchie and Nik Kendrew explore how we can talk positively about “brain health”, make sense of the 14 modifiable dementia risk factors, and spot the prevention wins hiding in routine consultations.  They also widen the lens on men’s health beyond urogenital symptoms, looking at cardiovascular risk, cancer, mental health, screening gaps, help-seeking behaviour and why the appointment that never happens may be the most important one.  Press play for practical, compassionate ideas to help every contact count, without adding another impossible job to the primary care to-do list. Useful links Men’s Health Forum – for professionals GP Trainee Essentials support package information, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.

Send us a text Gout is common, painful and might not get the attention it needs. This episode reframes gout as a long-term condition that deserves confident, compassionate consultations in primary care.  Nik and Fiona unpack the key practice-changing points from the latest guidelines and evidence, including why serum urate testing at presentation may challenge old habits.  Crucially, they also tackle the stigma: gout is not simply a lifestyle problem, genetics matter, and the way we explain this can reduce shame and improve engagement. Press play if you want a practical update that will sharpen your diagnosis, simplify follow-up, and help patients feel supported rather than blamed.  Useful Links Primary Care IT (Primary Care IT has built a series of searches for gout. These integrate into your clinical systems)Useful resources for patients: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/conditions/gout/ (patient information leaflet)Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.

Send us a text Haven’t got time for CPD? Think again! In this super short special listener question episode, Nik and Fi respond to one of our listeners, Emma from Sheffield. She asks a deceptively tricky question: what actually counts as “normal” weight gain in pregnancy? With NICE not giving a neat definition of excessive gestational weight gain, they dig a bit deeper for answers… Press play for a clear, mini-episode which gives the answer to a question many of us have probably wondered about — and a useful reminder that conversations about weight in pregnancy need both clinical confidence and careful language. Useful Links The Association of UK Dieticians: Pregnancy and diet Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.

Send us a text PMS and PMDD can be easy to miss, hard to diagnose, and life altering for the people living with them. In this special episode, Nik and Red Whale mental health lead Lee David tackle the patterns, pitfalls and practicalities that primary care teams need to know — from spotting cyclical symptoms and distinguishing PMDD from other mental health conditions, to suicide risk, first-line treatment and when to refer. Sensitive, clear and packed with take-home points, this is an essential listen if you want to recognise severe premenstrual symptoms sooner and respond with confidence and compassion. Useful Links The National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome GP Trainee Essentials support package information, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.

Send us a text Homelessness isn’t just “sleeping rough”, it’s far more common than most of us realise. In this special episode, Nik and Fi unpack why health outcomes are so stark (including a 30 year life expectancy gap) and how much of the harm is potentially modifiable with effective healthcare.  You’ll hear about a shocking “mystery shopper” study that looked at primary care access. There are also some practical, doable changes for busy primary care: inclusive registration, reducing barriers at the front desk, being opportunistic with long‑term condition care and vaccines, simplifying medicines, safer prescribing when life is chaotic, and using a trauma‑informed approach that prioritises safety and trust.  If you want one listen this week that will genuinely change how your team welcomes, registers and cares for some of the most vulnerable patients — press play now. Useful Links Pathway (focuses on homelessness and health inclusion) GP Trainee Essentials support package information, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.

Send us a text Hay fever consultations on your triage list, and runners limping in after the marathon/parkrun boom? This episode is just what you need!  We challenge the “minor ailment” myth of allergic rhinitis with 3 practice‑changing takeaways you can start using today. We also highlight some new allergen immunotherapy options you’ll start seeing in letters from secondary care, so you’re not wrong-footed when they land.  Then, fresh from running two marathons in 1 week, our guest Hussain Al-Zubaidi joins us to give you a primary care friendly framework for common running injuries. What actually helps, and how to keep injured runners active without crushing the thing that’s protecting their mental health.  Press play now if you want fewer repeat hay fever appointments, clearer “what next?” injury chats, and a couple of immediately usable action points for your whole team. Useful Links Asthma and Lung UK pollen calendar Itchy Sneezy Wheezy - rhinitis videos (nasal spray technique for adults and children) Oxford University Hospitals - Return to Running Programme (patient guide to returning to run training after injury) GP Trainee Essentials support package information, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.

Send us a text Burnout often creeps in while you keep showing up for everyone else. In this special episode, Nik and GP and Red Whale Mental Health Lead Lee David explore: What burnout really looks like in healthcareThe early signs we often miss in ourselves (and spot in others)How burnout can quietly affect thinking, empathy and clinical decisionsPractical ways to check in with yourself or a colleagueWhat genuinely helps - from workplace conditions and team culture to boundaries, rest and therapy No lectures on ‘resilience’. Just realistic, supportive steps that actually help. If you have been thinking, ‘I’m fine, just tired’ - this one is for you. Useful Links Society of Occupational Medicine, 2023: Burnout in healthcare: risk factors and solutions NHS Practitioner Health (offers free mental health support for health professionals) GP Trainee Essentials support package information, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.

Send us a text Headache in the consultation room is common; a brain tumour is (thankfully) not — and that’s exactly why we’re so prone to worry and to miss the subtle clues. In this episode, Nik and Fi cut through the noise on headaches, red flags and brain tumours. They explore how no single symptom reliably hits the NICE “refer” threshold, what to do with “headache +” and “cognitive +”, when to push for urgent imaging/referral, and how to safety net adults and children. Then they move on to a quietly game-changing topic: cancer and frailty — how to spot it, why it alters investigation and treatment risk, what to include in suspected cancer referrals, and practical steps that primary care clinicians can start today to reduce harm and improve outcomes. Useful Links Prehabilitation resources for healthcare professionals | Macmillan Cancer Support Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool: MUST  Macmillan Cancer Support - healthy eating and cancer GP Trainee Essentials support package information, Red Whale Courses and Red Whale Unlimited Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.

Send us a text Do you ever feel a bit lost when you see someone with a sore mouth, a furry tongue, or bad breath? This episode is your rapid confidence boost, delivered as a cheeky (virtual) 'million pound question' quiz between Nik and Fi. You’ll get a practical, primary care friendly approach to: Dry mouth ( what it is, common causes, and when to worry)Oral thrush (the assessment bits we all forget),Recurrent mouth ulcers (types, triggers, red flags for urgent referral, and what actually helps)Halitosis (from hygiene to halitophobia… plus one surprising cause). Press play now and prepare for faster, safer, calmer oral consultations afterwards. Send us your feedback [email protected] 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.