09 July 2015

The number of people living with diabetes is going up and up and shows no sign of slowing down. There are now 3.9 million people living with the condition (Health and Social Care Information Centre [HSCIC], 2014) and, if nothing changes, this number is projected to rise to five million by 2025 (figures based on Association of Health Professions in Ophthalmology [AHPO] diabetes prevalence model — http://bit. ly/aphodiabetes). A growing number of people with diabetes are experiencing devastating complications, leading to premature deaths and unsustainable costs to the NHS.

11 September 2023

Here, Callum Metcalfe-O’Shea, advanced nurse practitioner diabetes specialist and co-chair for the Norfolk Health Professionals Diabetes Forum, looks at how remission in type 2 diabetes can be achieved in some cases. Definitions of remission are explored as well as the challenges patients may face. Dietary advice and pharmacological interventions are considered to help general practice nurses (GPNs) structure their approach in achieving remission for suitable patients with type 2 diabetes.

05 December 2023

Here, Callum Metcalfe-O’Shea, advanced nurse practitioner diabetes specialist and co-chair for the Norfolk Health Professionals Diabetes Forum, provides the last part in the diabetes digest series with an outlook on the future of care provision for diabetes in primary care settings. This article explores the current data on diabetes, acknowledging the change in future therapies and the role of diabetes technology in advancing care. The role of the GPN is also examined to highlight the need to recognise their involvement in supporting high quality care.

29 March 2023

Here, Callum Metcalfe-O’Shea, advanced nurse practitioner diabetes specialist and co-chair for the Practice Nurse Diabetes Forum for Norfolk, provides the first in a series of articles with direct insight into the changing practice of diabetes in primary care and how general practice nurses (GPNs) can keep up to date with new evidence. This article looks at new guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for type 2 diabetes, identifying how the implementation of sodiumglucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) as second-line therapy now takes place and how you can use these guidelines to advance practice. Consideration will be given to SGLT-2i use in practice, while recognising the importance of patient preference and individualised care at all stages.

10 July 2023

Here, Callum Metcalfe-O’Shea, advanced nurse practitioner diabetes specialist and co-chair for the Practice Nurse Diabetes Forum for Norfolk, looks at how general practice nurses (GPN) can discuss nutrition with patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to ensure that they feel motivated and engaged in their healthcare journey. This article, the second part in our diabetes digest series, focuses on the initial consultation when patients are still coming to terms with their diagnosis. While individual diet plans are not discussed, a review of carbohydrates and their role in diabetes management, alongside medication considerations, are explored.

16 November 2015

Diabetes education is key to avoid diabetes-related complications.

Katherine Calder gives her views on how general practice nurses can help patients to better manage their diabetes.

How many people with diabetes do you see in your practice every week? With 3.9 million people now living with diabetes in the UK (Health and Social Care Information Centre [HSCIC], 2014), and this number rising all the time, it’s likely that more and more of your patients have diabetes.

06 July 2016

Chronic urticaria is a relatively common complaint in clinical practice. It often has an unknown aetiology or a difficult-to-avoid trigger and although rarely life-threatening, it has a profound impact on quality of life, reaching beyond the 
impairment directly related to physical symptoms. All these aspects make its management complex and often frustrating both from a patient and professional perspective. Most patients with urticaria will be seen first in primary  care, often by practice or community nursing staff. With good knowledge on diagnosis and management, up to 80% of these patients can be managed adequately in primary care.

22 May 2015

By reading the article in each issue you can learn all about key principles of subjects that are vital to your role as a general practice nurse.

Pilonidal is an abscess, usually found in the natal cleft, most frequently caused when a ruptured hair follicle beneath the skin becomes infected forming an abscess (pilonidal cyst) filled with hair, keratin and debris which can develop into a sinus tract (sacrococcygeal fistula) (Pilonidal Support Alliance [PSA], 2011; Harris et al, 2012) (Figure 1).

01 December 2021

Inflammation occurs when the body tries to protect itself from infection by foreign organisms, such as bacteria and viruses. It involves several processes in the body, including action by white blood cells (cytokines). The whole process is known as an immune response. A short sharp immune reaction is called an acute inflammatory response, such as a bee sting, while other immune responses can go on for some time and are known as chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is caused by a number of factors, such as carrying extra weight, pollution in the environment, and also poor diet and lifestyle. Long-term chronic inflammation can lead to diseases such as heart disease, cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis and even depression. Inflammation is also linked to metabolic changes and metabolic disorders, such as diabetes. This article looks at how diet and lifestyle can help to alleviate inflammation, with emphasis on chronic inflammation.

07 June 2022

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