Red Whale Primary Care Pod

Red Whale
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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. 12 HR AGO

    Don’t miss it, don’t harm them: brain tumour clues, and considering cancer and frailty

    Send us Fan Mail 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, 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.

    45 min

  2. 17 APR

    Open wide: a primary care guide to common oral problems

    Send us Fan Mail 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 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.

    29 min

  3. 10 APR

    The £158 million question: why aren’t we dancing to prevent falls?

    Send us Fan Mail Are you ready for a prescription that comes with sequins? This episode dives into the Let’s Dance campaign with special guests Angela Rippon and our very own Hussain Al‑Zubaidi, unpacking why dance isn’t just “a bit of fun” but a proper health intervention. Only 2% of UK adults dance regularly, yet it improves cardiovascular fitness, mood, memory, balance and social connection, with programmes like Dance to Health cutting falls risk significantly.  We discuss how to nudge patients (and ourselves) towards movement that people actually want to keep doing - because it feels joyful, not like homework. Press play if you’d like a practical, evidence-based way to get patients (and your practice) moving without mentioning “the gym” once. Useful Links Let’s Dance - communication toolkit 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.

    43 min

  4. 27 MAR

    Obesity and weight management in pregnancy, plus perianal masses: referral decisions and red flags

    Send us Fan Mail Two potentially practice changing pearls in one episode: we tackle obesity & weight management in pregnancy: how to raise it sensitively, what to do with BMI at booking, how to handle GLP‑1s pre‑conception, and what to say about folate, vitamin D, diet and activity. Then we demystify perianal masses: the red flags, and why the clock is ticking for thrombosed haemorrhoids. Plus a much needed best intentions story to put a smile on your face. Press play as we make your life easier and reignite your passion for primary care.  Useful Links For more detail on safe use of medications related to obesity during breastfeeding, see Specialist Pharmacy Service: UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service – safety in breastfeeding 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.

    38 min

  5. 20 MAR

    Precocious puberty: who needs an urgent referral?

    Send us Fan Mail This time Fiona and Nik serve up two “don’t miss” clinical challenges: precocious puberty—what’s normal vs red flags, who warrants urgent paediatric referral, and how to use the RCPCH puberty growth charts. And bullous pemphigoid—how to spot it fast, common drug links and when to phone dermatology today: when was the last time you did that? Useful Links Growth charts from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) with ‘puberty lines’ that show the normal age limits for phases of puberty:   RCPCH - growth charts: girls childhood and puberty close monitoring RCPCH - growth charts: boys childhood and puberty close monitoring  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.

    29 min

  6. 20 FEB

    Grief in general practice and acting fast with meningitis

    Send us Fan Mail Grief touches every consulting room. In this episode we gently unpick how to support people after loss, using the RCGP framework “A Compassionate Bereavement Response”. Practical language you can use tomorrow, how to recognise prolonged grief disorder (including in children) and when to refer. The overlap with PTSD, and realistic ways we can look after ourselves as clinicians. Then we change gear for an update on NICE’s 2024 guideline covering bacterial meningitis and meningococcal disease: the red flag combination that demands 999, when prehospital antibiotics are (and aren’t) advised, the easy to miss early signs, and robust safety netting.  Press play for compassionate care, sharper suspicions, and help to make the right clinical decisions when under pressure.  Useful links Grief Good Grief Festival (free events, YouTube Channel and curated resources) RCGP framework “A Compassionate Bereavement Response” Bacterial meningitis and meningococcal disease Meningitis Now 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.

    58 min

  7. 13 FEB

    Menopause, HRT and cognition: an update on the evidence

    Send us Fan Mail Fiona and Nik break down the latest evidence on menopause, HRT and cognition so you can feel confident when patients ask, “Should I be worried?” Plus: in our second Pearl in this episode,  practical tips for behaviour change that actually sticks, including how to spot those golden moments and use the STOP IT model to turn advice into action. Tune in for clear answers and real‑world support for primary care. Perfect for anyone in primary care who wants to feel informed, confident and ready for the inevitable “I saw this in the news...” conversation. Useful Links British Menopause Society: Menopause linked to loss of grey matter in the brain, poorer mental health and sleep disturbance 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.

    53 min

  8. 16 JAN

    Navigating Domestic Abuse in Primary Care

    Send us Fan Mail Domestic abuse affects patients and colleagues, yet it’s often unseen- so in this compassionate, practical episode Fiona and Nik walk you through what primary care can do right now: How to spot warning signsHow we should use clinical inquiry (not universal screening)How to respond to a disclosure with the LIVES frameworkHow to document safely in the electronic medical recordYou’ll also hear why children and young people are recognised as victims in their own right, and how to notice and support a colleague who may be affected.  Do you know about the 999 “Silent Solution”? All this is so you can feel more prepared, confident and informed in your next clinic.  Press play: the right conversation at the right moment can change a life. Useful Links Domestic abuse   Doctors Association UK offers resources and research on domestic abuse in healthcare, including:  Resources for doctors and health professionals experiencing domestic abuseResources for NHS employers to support staff affected by domestic abuseResearch and guidance on domestic abuse in healthcare professionalsTED Talk: Why domestic violence victims don't leave  Silent Solution  Mr Right and Mr Wrong 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.

    42 min
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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
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Red Whale Primary Care Pod
  • Show Website
    Red Whale Primary Care Pod

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