Resources

05 March 2024
It is exciting to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Journal of General Practice Nursing, to reflect on how far the journal has come and be part of its development for the future. I first
wrote for the journal in February 2016, looking back it’s a passionate article about the importance of our role in facilitating lifestyle change and health promotion. It still rings true
today and maybe has helped me to not feel cynical about the tidal wave of preventable disease we face in our daily work.
Topics:  Editorial
05 March 2024
For most people, workplace ethical dilemmas involve relatively little soul-searching. Should they tell the boss that they used the company credit card to buy her birthday present on expenses? Is it wise to let their line manager know that he ought to invest in some  deodorant? And do they really need to tell HR that Darren from accounts tried to kiss them at the Christmas party?
Topics:  Practice matters
05 March 2024
A new report on palliative and end-of-life care in the community has been published by the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) and Marie Curie.

The report by the two charities is based on a national survey of health and care staff undertaken in 2023. The majority of survey respondents were community nurses. The findings reflect how palliative and end-of-life care is delivered today, and shines a light on the challenges being faced by nurses. People at end of life need highquality
holistic care and support but worryingly, 9 out of ten respondents to the survey reported being unable to meet the needs of the people they care for, or those close to them, at least
in part.
Topics:  End-of-life care
05 March 2024
In order to instil confidence in your patients, you yourself need to feel confident in the care you’re providing — including the products you use. 

This is why we’re publishing the results of a recent randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing the efficacy of Exufiber® with the market leading gelling fibre dressing, in exuding venous and mixed aetiology leg ulcers.
05 March 2024
This clinical skills series — Think menopause — looks at menopause-related issues to help general practice nurses (GPNs) identify, assess and manage women whose day-to-day lives may be detrimentally affected by this stage in their life. Here, Sue Thomas, advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) based in Leamington Spa, looks at physical activity and the menopause. Sue is also the founder of a local menopause support charity, Action Menopause Warwickshire, which is free for ladies to attend  (https://actionmenopausewarwickshire.org.uk/).
Topics:  Menopause
05 March 2024
Worldwide gout is the commonest type of inflammatory arthritis. It is often misdiagnosed and poorly managed (Dehlin et al, 2020). Gout can be diagnosed and treated in primary care and is amenable to nurse management (Doherty et al, 2018). This article will help readers to be able to diagnose and manage gout, as well as how to be aware of and treat
acute gout and prevent further episodes. Certain conditions increase the risk of gout and this article advocates a holistic approach to improve overall health.
Topics:  Management
05 March 2024
The United Kingdom (UK) has a comprehensive national immunisation programme which comprises both routine and selective immunisation schedules (UK Health Security Agency [UKHSA], 2023). The routine programme includes those vaccines offered to the population, with eligibility predicated on age. For the last few years, vaccine coverage has been
falling in the majority of children’s and young people’s immunisation programmes (UKHSA, 2022; UKHSA 2023a; UKHSA 2023b; UKHSA 2023c). The decline in coverage has been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic and consequent lockdowns, illness among recipients, and confusion and hesitancy about vaccines in general. This article discusses the drop in coverage of the adolescent immunisation programmes in England, and the role that general practice nurses (GPNs) and primary care immunisers can play in ensuring that young people are offered missing vaccines. The benefit of this catch-up activity is seen in reduced risk of morbidity and mortality from vaccine preventable illness in both individuals
and those around them.
Topics:  Immunisation
05 March 2024
Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is the volume of air forcefully exhaled at maximum speed. This can be measured using a peak flow meter or a spirometry device. Peak flow meters are portable, inexpensive and widely available. The technique is non-invasive, carries no risk to the person, can be taught and learned quickly, and can easily be mastered by the patient. Published evidence for the use of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and peak flow monitoring in asthma is limited, despite the use of the peak flow meter being documented in national and international guidelines for many years. National and international guidelines recommend the use of easily calibrated spirometers, which can provide accurate results
with good technique, along with fractional exhaled nitrous oxide (FeNO) testing, which requires a greater analysis and interpretation of the results. Is the use therefore of the peak flow meter redundant? This article discusses the indications for use of peak flow meters, technique and clinical context.
Topics:  Technique
05 March 2024
Due to its diverse manifestations, Lyme disease (caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi) can present as a diagnostic challenge. This article will help practitioners to recognise Lyme disease in all its formats, ensure that historytaking and assessment are appropriate, and to consider other differentials while considering Lyme disease as the most likely diagnosis. Additionally, clinicians need to be able to manage the presentation appropriately using up-to-date guidelines. There will also be some discussion about the sequelae of Lyme disease — treated or untreated — and the impact of global warming on arthropod disease generally, including Lyme disease.
Topics:  Sequelae
05 March 2024
A primary concern for many cancer survivors is getting cancer again or it returning. Unfortunately, recurrence can happen but there is evidence that dietary interventions, generally combined with physical activity, improve overall quality of life and give the body the best chance of warding off recurrence. Being the right weight for height is also important.This article explores dietary and lifestyle considerations, dispels some myths, and considers other aspects of diet and lifestyle and prevention of cancer recurrence, such as alcohol intake, physical activity and food-borne disease. It also looks at the role certain sweeteners may have, along with ultra-processed foods, use of certain supplements and the role of fibre. Definitive evidence is often not available for this aspect of cancer, but this article presents the most up-to-date findings. Specialist post treatment palliative care is not covered.
Topics:  Resources