Red Whale Primary Care Pod

Red Whale
  • 4.8 (97)
  • Medicine
  • Monthly

Welcome to the Primary Care Pod from Red Whale – join GPs Nik Kendrew and guests as each month they discuss a roundup of four key topics for primary care clinicians, which can also be found in our popular free Pearls.  We look at the evidence, the guidelines and the media coverage and make learning together as a primary care community as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. We invite you to nominate your primary care heroes and share your best intentions stories.  So, grab a cuppa or put on your trainers and head out for some fresh air whilst you enjoy this month’s podcast.We'd love to hear your feedback by email - podcast@redwhale.co.uk or leave us a voice message - https://www.speakpipe.com/RedWhalePrimaryCarePod 

  1. 4 days ago

    Too hot to think? Bias, heat-related illness and safer decisions

    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, 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.

  2. 24 Jul

    Dementia prevention, men’s health, and the art of making every contact count

    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, 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.

  3. 10 Jul

    Gout without the guilt: diagnosis, flares and the 360 target

    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 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.

  4. 3 Jul ·  Bonus

    Pregnancy weight gain: what is “normal"? The numbers NICE doesn’t quite give us…

    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 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.

  5. 19 Jun

    PMDD: the diagnosis hiding in plain sight

    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, 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.

  6. 22 May

    Homelessness in primary care: what helps, what harms

    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, 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.

  7. 15 May

    Hay fever and common running injuries. Two primary care problems, several surprises...

    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, 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.

  8. 8 May

    Burnout: the signs we miss in ourselves (and spot in others)

    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, 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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4.8
out of 5
97 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Primary Care Pod from Red Whale – join GPs Nik Kendrew and guests as each month they discuss a roundup of four key topics for primary care clinicians, which can also be found in our popular free Pearls.  We look at the evidence, the guidelines and the media coverage and make learning together as a primary care community as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. We invite you to nominate your primary care heroes and share your best intentions stories.  So, grab a cuppa or put on your trainers and head out for some fresh air whilst you enjoy this month’s podcast.We'd love to hear your feedback by email - podcast@redwhale.co.uk or leave us a voice message - https://www.speakpipe.com/RedWhalePrimaryCarePod 

Information

  • Creator
    Red Whale
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Red Whale Primary Care Pod
  • Show Website
    Red Whale Primary Care Pod

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