Resources

While seeing the advanced GPN role as distinctly different to acute ANPs within our practice, I also needed to consider symptoms and conditions which perhaps link to or commonly present in GPN appointments where we can offer value and reduce workload within the team. Hypothyroidism is in my mind one of these and yet I needed some clarity around diagnosis which Margaret Perry’s excellent and comprehensive article has provided.

The medication landscape for type 2 diabetes has changed dramatically over the last year and I needed some confirmation around where older medications such as gliclazide still had a place. Susan Camphor clearly sets out clinical scenarios where gliclazide still fits, but also situations to avoid

We’ve all been there, frustrated by that patient who just won’t keep an eye on their blood glucose levels or refuses to give up smoking despite the risk to their general health. In your everyday work as a general practice nurse (GPN), you know how hard it can be to persuade some patients to adopt lifestyle improvements that might be painful in the short term but will have long-term health benefits.

Like many skin conditions commonly encountered in primary care (e.g. dermatitis, psoriasis and acne vulgaris), hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) can be both difficult to spell and pronounce. HS can also be difficult to identify, despite being an inflammatory skin condition that affects as many people as psoriasis (Penzer Hick, 2022). As a consequence, it can sometimes take several years for patients to get a diagnosis; approximately 35% of people with HS reported it taking three to 10 years to be diagnosed (Nicolle, 2022).

The days of ringing up your GP surgery and being blindly booked into a GP appointment are long-gone for the majority of surgeries in the UK. Patients are living longer, and there is increased awareness of acute and chronic conditions. Combined with NHS treatment backlogs, these factors have significantly increased demand on GP surgeries, which are struggling with limited resources.

Asthma is one of the most common long-term conditions in children, impacting one in 11 of our paediatric population (Asthma+Lung UK, 2025; NHS England, 2025). The multifactorial nature of asthma means that for some patients symptoms are perennial and for some it is very seasonal — it all depends on the trigger factors.

What we do know is a consistent peak for acute asthma in our children and young people — week 38.

The Asthma+Lung UK Respiratory Champions programme (www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/healthcareprofessionals/resp-champions) gives respiratory specialist healthcare professionals the opportunity to dedicate one day a week to a specific leadership role to improve respiratory outcomes. They are working alongside local healthcare communities and people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), playing a pivotal role in enhancing local healthcare policies and care pathways to improve outcomes for people with lung conditions. Here, we talk to Maria Eurton, respiratory nurse specialist and non-medical prescriber, Living Well Partnership primary care network (PCN), Southampton, about her role as an Asthma+Lung UK Respiratory Champion for Hampshire and Isle of Wight (HIOW) integrated care system (ICS).

Debridement is vital in wound bed preparation, creating a clean, moist environment that supports effective healing (Burnett et al, 2021). It facilitates the removal of devitalised tissue, bacteria, and debris, reducing infection risk and promoting healthy tissue growth (Mayer et al, 2024). Multiple debridement techniques exist such as sharp, larval, enzymatic, ultrasound, and surgical, however their use may be limited by required expertise or clinical setting. This article introduces an updated definition of debridement and traces its evolution from traditional methods to modern, patient-friendly technologies, exemplified by the innovative dual-sided monofilament pad, Debrisoft® Duo. It also includes some case series evaluating the effectiveness and practicality of Debrisoft Duo, particularly in managing wounds with persistent fibrous devitalised tissue where conventional sharp debridement is unsuitable.

This article explores the critical intersection between nutrition and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphasising the role of diet in managing the disease and improving patient outcomes. COPD, characterised by progressive airflow obstruction and systemic inflammation, is associated with malnutrition, which exacerbates muscle wasting and reduces lung function. Malnutrition is common in COPD patients due to factors like increased metabolic rate, impaired taste, and depression. The article discusses the importance of addressing malnutrition with high-protein, high-energy diets, and oral nutritional supplements (ONS) to improve weight, muscle strength, and overall quality of life. Additionally, it highlights the potential benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, in managing COPD progression and related comorbidities. It concludes that while managing malnutrition is a priority, dietary approaches targeting inflammation may help to slow disease progression and enhance patient wellbeing.

Asthma is a common chronic respiratory condition with approximately 7.2 million cases diagnosed in the UK. This equates to about eight in every 100 people (Asthma+Lung UK, 2025a). Sadly, asthma deaths are at an all-time high and the UK has some of the worse asthma outcomes in Europe (eurostat, 2025). A recent survey suggests that many patients are not even receiving what is considered to be a ‘basic’ level of asthma care (Asthma+Lung UK, 2022). This article considers what really constitutes ‘good asthma care’ and how exactly this can be achieved in often short, primary care consultations. Patients with asthma can suffer from symptoms such as wheeze, cough, shortness of breath, tight chest, and many will have associated atopic conditions such as hay fever. It is a heterogenous disease, which means that patients experience it differently; no two asthmatic patients are the same and thus treatment and management for asthma should be tailored towards individuals and their needs.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common inflammatory rheumatic disease in older people. Three-quarters of people with PMR are women and individuals living in the south of England are at highest risk (Partington et al, 2018). Research indicates that around 17,244 people in England are diagnosed with PMR annually (Saha et al, 2023). This article aims to support general practice nurses (GPNs) in early recognition and diagnosis of PMR, effective treatment and prevention of complications such as blindness. It also focuses on preserving patient mobility and independence and minimising the risks associated with long-term corticosteroid treatment.