Treatment Resources

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.

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.

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine condition characterised by an underactive thyroid gland, resulting in a deficiency of thyroid hormones. It presents with variable symptoms, which can range from mild such as fatigue and dry skin, to more severe, such as shortness of breath. As it shares fairly wide ranging symptoms with many other common conditions, such as depression, menopause, etc, it can sometimes be missed. If left untreated, the outcome can be fatal. The condition is often diagnosed and treated in the primary care setting, and this article gives nurses and nonmedical prescribers an overview of the disease with the aim of helping them recognise and treat this condition, so as to improve outcomes and quality of life.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a rare, chronic, inflammatory, subepidermal, blistering disease that primarily affects older people (Chan, 2020). The blisters are usually filled with clear fluid and the surrounding skin is often red and inflamed. These blisters can appear anywhere on the body but are typically found on the lower abdomen, groin, upper thighs and arms.
The prevalence of BP has doubled in 20 years, due to population ageing and other factors (Persson et al, 2021a). This article provides details of the latest guidelines, explains what can trigger BP, and how it is diagnosed and treated.

Heart failure (HF) remains one of the most common reasons for hospital admissions and is predicted to rise substantially in the next decade. As many of these patients have other comorbidities, general practice nurses (GPNs) are in the ideal position to assess and identify any possible deterioration before it results in admission. Having a good understanding of HF, terminology and treatment will assist with this, and standardising care and reviews in line with current guidelines will improve care.

Pneumonia continues to cause mortality around the world, despite advances in treatment and prevention. The disease can affect any age and can present with variable degrees of severity ranging from mild to severe, with the worst cases resulting in admission to hospital. While vaccination in the UK has impacted on the severity and death rate of this potentially devastating disease, the condition continues to be the largest cause of mortality in children with the highest death rates seen in under developed countries. This article gives an overview of treatment, management and prevention, as well as a brief insight into the possible long-term effects following recovery from pneumonia in babies and children.

When patients present with red lower legs, the cause is often assumed to be cellulitis or erysipelas. There are, however, several alternative conditions which mimic the clinical signs of cellulitis or erysipelas, which can lead to misdiagnosis. It is important that the cause is correctly diagnosed to prevent inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics. This article discusses the different potential causes of ‘red legs’, in addition to cellulitis and erysipelas, together with clinical signs and symptoms to enable general practice nurses (GPNs) to differentiate between them and implement appropriate treatments

There are many different causes of liver disease and current estimates suggest that as many as one in 10 people have problems with their liver at some time in their life (Foundation for Liver Research, 2020). Perhaps most worrying is the fact that incidence of liver disease is increasing, with the number of deaths reported to have increased by 400% since 1970 (British Liver Trust, 2020). Most liver diseases are asymptomatic early on, frequently resulting in late diagnosis, potentially leading to a higher risk of poor outcomes. Many of the well-known liver diseases are preventable and this article, which covers fatty liver disease, hepatitis A, B and C and liver cancer, hopes to raise awareness of risk factors, recognition, causes and treatment of these conditions, and give general practice nurses (GPNs) and non-medical prescribers more confidence when caring for patients with these illnesses.

Hay fever and allergic rhinitis are common conditions seen in primary care which can have a huge effect on the quality of life of sufferers The most important step in diagnosing hay fever or allergic rhinitis is to take an allergy focused clinical history. There are many treatment options available, including allergen avoidance, antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids. Many medications are now available over the counter; patients need to know how to take their medication correctly. Asthma frequently co-exists with allergic rhinitis and can make asthma symptoms much worse. General practice nurses (GPNs) are ideally placed to offer advice and support to these patients. If initial treatments fail, patients should return to primary care as there are a wide range of therapeutic interventions which may help. For those whose symptoms are very severe or not responding, immunotherapy may be an option, and the patient should be referred.