Resources

General practice nursing is often described as the backbone of primary care. The phrase is familiar, and it is true, but it can also obscure as much as it reveals. Backbones are expected to hold things up. They are rarely seen, seldom thanked, and too often noticed only when they begin to fail. The findings from a recent Queen's Institute of Community Nursing (QICN) national survey of general practice nurses (drawn from responses of over 1,000 nurses working in general practice across the UK) offer a timely and uncomfortable reminder that a highly skilled, deeply committed workforce is being asked to sustain an increasingly complex workload without the infrastructure, recognition, employment conditions or protected time required to do so safely.

General practice nursing is often described as the backbone of primary care. The phrase is familiar, and it is true, but it can also obscure as much as it reveals. Backbones are expected to hold things up. They are rarely seen, seldom thanked, and too often noticed only when they begin to fail. The findings from a recent Queen's Institute of Community Nursing (QICN) national survey of general practice nurses (drawn from responses of over 1,000 nurses working in general practice across the UK) offer a timely and uncomfortable reminder that a highly skilled, deeply committed workforce is being asked to sustain an increasingly complex workload without the infrastructure, recognition, employment conditions or protected time required to do so safely.

Brain tumours can be primary, or secondary to a tumour which has developed elsewhere in the body. Primary malignant brain tumours are rare but are a devastating diagnosis for anyone affected due to their impact on neurological function, quality of life, and overall survival. Despite advances in treatment, prognosis and survival rates remain poor, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The complex presentation of brain tumours can make early recognition difficult, and patients often experience a range of physical, cognitive and psychological symptoms that require comprehensive multidisciplinary management. This article discusses the disease in adults, outlining symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, so that nurses and non-medical prescribers will feel more confident in advising and supporting patients and families when needed.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common and frequently under-recognised condition among postmenopausal women and may significantly affect physical comfort, psychological wellbeing and social participation. Many women delay seeking help because of embarrassment, stigma and the belief that UI is an inevitable consequence of ageing. This review explores the pathophysiological mechanisms, psychological and physical burden, social implications and barriers to help-seeking. The implications for primary care assessment and management are clear as general practice nurses (GPNs) and general practitioners (GPs) are well placed to identify unreported urinary symptoms, provide support and initiate early intervention.

General practice nurses (GPNs) across the UK play a pivotal role in delivering frontline, patient-centred care, while frequently managing a diverse and often complex caseload. Among their many responsibilities, the assessment and treatment of patients with wounds and skin conditions may form a significant and consistent part of routine practice, ranging from chronic leg ulcers and pressure damage to eczema, dermatitis, and minor injuries. Having worked in primary care for over two decades, the author has observed a significant increase in the number of nurses routinely involved in the assessment, treatment and management of patients presenting with a wide range of chronic wounds and skin conditions on a daily basis (Armstrong, 2017).

It’s good to see our 'Practice matters' piece highlight the new Department of Health and Social Care clinical guidelines for alcohol, which incorporates the lived experience of people who have been through alcohol treatment and recovery. As GPNs we can ask people about diet, exercise, alcohol, smoking, drugs, screen time, gambling etc and guide those interested to resources that may help them with lifestyle changes for health gain. Drinkaware is one resource I signpost people to. As well as lots of key facts, hints and tips to help people reduce their alcohol consumption, it has a Drinking Check incorporating the WHO AUDIT tool and a unit and calorie counter.

GPNs act as the gatekeeper for many conversations within primary care, and with many studies highlighting that nursing is one of the most trusted professions, it is no secret that alcohol consumption discussions become a core part of conversations with patients. These conversations can start due to Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) requirements, but the role of GPNs in holistic assessment goes further than this to help provide supportive measures and guidance around what services may be available. Having direct clinical guidance will no doubt enhance the already high-quality level conversations that are taking place in general practice by GPNs, but it is important that they can also escalate to other members of staff if they feel that this skill is not within their remit. However, through this article it is clear how the role of the community in identification, referral and advice can help shape the future conversations around alcohol dependence, and GPNs will be key through their unique position in the community and strength at building strong therapeutic relationships.

One in three people live with a chronic condition*. This translates to more than two billion individuals facing daily challenges that often go unseen. Convatec partners with people every day to help them overcome these challenges and live life on their terms.

In 2025, Convatec commissioned new research to explore the continuum of chronic care — from diagnosis to building support networks to navigating stigma and misunderstanding. This survey gathered insights from more than 10,000 adults, including 3,400 people living with chronic conditions across the UK, Brazil, Germany, Italy and the United States, with a particular focus on ostomy and continence care.

It is widely reported that one in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, with a person being diagnosed every 90 seconds (Macmillan Cancer Support, 2025). This very sobering statistic is made even more real by the connectivity and interdependence we have with people across our working and social lives. Efforts to discover new cures and treatments for cancer continue at pace, as does genetic research to understand how certain cancers develop, why certain people may be more affected and may respond to treatment in different ways.