liver

Doctors Lisa and Sara talk to Hepatitis C GP Champion Dr Lindsey Kent and Greater Manchester Peer Programme Manager Tony Horrocks for an overview of Hepatitis C. We cover the basics around the virus and prevalence, potential symptoms and at risk groups to consider when offering testing. We discuss the great work being done to eradicate Hepatitis C in Manchester (and around the UK) including Tony’s personal story as well as his work as a Peer Programme Manager. Wonderful to hear the success rate for cure with medications and how the team ‘leave no one behind’. 
Great listening for all of us working in General Practice.
You can use these podcasts as part of your CPD - we don’t do certificates but they still count :)
 
Useful resources: 
NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries Hepatitis C (last revised Sept 2022): https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hepatitis-c/
The Hepatitis C Trust UK Online Risk Checker: https://www.hepctrust.org.uk/hepatitis-c-risk-checker/
Order free Hepatitis C test UK: https://hepctest.nhs.uk/
Liverpool Hepatitis Interaction Checker: https://hep-druginteractions.org/checker
Greater Manchester and East Cheshire Hepatitis C Operational Delivery Network: https://research.cmft.nhs.uk/innovation-at-mft/hepatitis-c-operational-delivery-network-for-greater-manchester-and-east-cheshire
Aneesha Noonan’s podcast on Expanding hepatitis C elimination into Primary Care settings: https://youtu.be/U5TdLJdAGrI?si=Woy1nkVxfCztXaJY
Hep C U Later Primary Care Toolkit: https://www.hepculater.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Primary-Care-Toolkit-Final-with-links-v2-with-updated-date.pdf
Hep C U Later’s ‘Hep C Elimination Successes’: https://www.hepculater.com/hepatitis-c-elimination-successes/
Hep C U Later: GP practices can run a case finding tools (these are already installed on systems within general practice). If you’re interested in running these tools with support from other organisations email [email protected] so we can link you to the right people. NHS England » NHS set to eliminate Hepatitis C ahead of rest of the world: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2022/12/nhs-set-to-eliminate-hepatitis-c/
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We really want to make these episodes relevant and helpful: if you have any questions or want any particular areas covered then contact us on Twitter @PCKBpodcast, or leave a comment on our quick anonymous survey here: https://pckb.org/feedback
Email us at: [email protected]
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This podcast has been made with the support of GP Excellence and Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board. Given that it is recorded with Greater Manchester clinicians, the information discussed may not be applicable elsewhere and it is important to consult local guidelines before making any treatment decisions. 
The information presented is the personal opinion of the healthcare professional interviewed and might not be representative to all clinicians. It is based on their interpretation of current best practice and guidelines when the episode was recorded. Guidelines can change; To the best of our knowledge the information in this episode is up to date as of it’s release but it is the listeners responsibility to review the information and make sure it is still up to date when they listen.
Dr Lisa Adams, Dr Sara MacDermott and their interviewees are not liable for any advice, investigations, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products listeners might pursue as a result of listening to this podcast - it is the clinicians responsibility to appraise the information given and review local and national guidelines before making treatment decisions. Reliance on information provided in this podcast is solely at the listeners risk.
The podcast is designed to be used by trained healthcare professionals for education only. We do not recommend these for patients or the general public and they are not to be used as a method of diagnosis, opinion, treatment or medical advice for the general public. Do not delay seeking medical advice based on the information contained in this podcast. If you have questions regarding your health or feel you may have a medical condition then promptly seek the opinion of a trained healthcare professional.

Doctors Lisa and Sara talk to Locum Consultant Dr Caitriona MacDermott about assessing and managing constipation in Palliative Patients. A common symptom with a significant impact on people’s quality of life, the episode aims to get across the importance of the topic, the often multifactorial nature of clinical scenarios, the red flags not to miss and arm you with a logical and holistic approach to management. We discuss how management might differ for patients with certain conditions such as partial bowel obstruction, neurological causes, or liver disease. An important listen for those of us in the community looking after palliative patients. 
 
You can use these podcasts as part of your CPD - we don’t do certificates but they still count :)
 
Useful resources: 
Greater Manchester Palliative Care Symptom Control Guidelines for Adults (2019): https://www.england.nhs.uk/north-west/wp-content/uploads/sites/48/2020/01/Palliative-Care-Pain-and-Symptom-Control-Guidelines.pdf
Clinical Knowledge Summaries from NICE: Palliative Care - Constipation (Updated Feb 2024): https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/palliative-care-constipation/
NICE CKS Table of Doses of Laxatives that can be used for Palliative Patients: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/palliative-care-constipation/prescribing-information/doses-of-laxatives/
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We really want to make these episodes relevant and helpful: if you have any questions or want any particular areas covered then contact us on Twitter @PCKBpodcast, or leave a comment on our quick anonymous survey here: https://pckb.org/feedback
Email us at: [email protected]
___
This podcast has been made with the support of GP Excellence and Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board. Given that it is recorded with Greater Manchester clinicians, the information discussed may not be applicable elsewhere and it is important to consult local guidelines before making any treatment decisions. 
The information presented is the personal opinion of the healthcare professional interviewed and might not be representative to all clinicians. It is based on their interpretation of current best practice and guidelines when the episode was recorded. Guidelines can change; To the best of our knowledge the information in this episode is up to date as of it’s release but it is the listeners responsibility to review the information and make sure it is still up to date when they listen.
Dr Lisa Adams, Dr Sara MacDermott and their interviewees are not liable for any advice, investigations, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products listeners might pursue as a result of listening to this podcast - it is the clinicians responsibility to appraise the information given and review local and national guidelines before making treatment decisions. Reliance on information provided in this podcast is solely at the listeners risk.
The podcast is designed to be used by trained healthcare professionals for education only. We do not recommend these for patients or the general public and they are not to be used as a method of diagnosis, opinion, treatment or medical advice for the general public. Do not delay seeking medical advice based on the information contained in this podcast. If you have questions regarding your health or feel you may have a medical condition then promptly seek the opinion of a trained healthcare professional.

***SUMMER REWIND  - INITIALLY RELEASED ON 31ST JAN 2024***
To get in touch: [email protected]
Doctors Lisa and Sara talk to Senior Pharmacist Sarah Hafeez about Polypharmacy. She explains the difference between inappropriate and appropriate polypharmacy before talking through some typical cases that illustrate several examples of common scenarios. This leads to discussions on prioritising concerns, weaning/stopping medications, counselling patients on the effects of Opioids and Gabapentinoids and involving community teams aiming for successful reductions of addiction forming medications. Other gems include a discussion of the potential long term risks of Proton Pump Inhibitors and advice on weaning, remembering to consider anticholinergic burdens as well as handy resources for tackling Polypharmacy, Structured Medications Reviews and medication reductions.
You can use these podcasts as part of your CPD - we don’t do certificates but they still count :)
Useful resources: 
Greater Manchester Medicines Management Group: Inappropriate Polypharmacy Review and Treatment Optimisation: Resource Pack (from Dec 2022, accessed Dec 2023): https://gmmmg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GMMMG-Polypharmacy-resource-pack-v3.0.pdf
Scotland Polypharmacy Resources for Professionals and for Patients: https://www.polypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk/for-patients-and-carers/
Scottish Polypharmacy Guidance 2018: https://www.therapeutics.scot.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Polypharmacy-Guidance-2018.pdf
Lewis T. Using the NO TEARS tool for medication review. BMJ. 2004 Aug 21;329(7463):434. doi: 10.1136/bmj.329.7463.434. PMID: 15321901; PMCID: PMC514207 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC514207/
Toolkit for General Practice in Supporting Older People Living with Frailty (includes a great Appendix of the STOPP/START criteria (2017): https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/toolkit-general-practice-frailty-1.pdf
An example of an Anticholinergic Burdon Resource from West Essex CCG 2020: https://westessexccg.nhs.uk/your-health/medicines-optimisation-and-pharmacy/clinical-guidelines-and-prescribing-formularies/04-central-nervous-system/61-anticholinergic-side-effects-and-prescribing-guidance/file
Canadian Resource for Deprescribing including reducing medications and some patient information leaflets: https://deprescribing.org/
Resource for help reducing and stopping medications: https://medstopper.com/
Me and My Medicines Resource for Patients to look through their medications before reviews or for information: https://meandmymedicines.org.uk/
Anticholinergic Medications and Risks of Dementia Cochrane Editorial with Reports in Link (Sept 2021): https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.ED000154/full
Anticholinergic drugs and risk of dementia: Time for action? British Pharmacological Society. Bell B et al Jun 2021 (9:3). Accessed 15/1/2024:  https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/prp2.793
Cognitive Effects of Anticholinergic Load in Women with Overactive Bladder. Clin Interv Aging. 2020; 15: 1493–1503: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7457731/
Greater Manchester Medicines Management Group: Management of Overactive Bladder Including a simple Bladder Diary before and after stopping Medications (Jun 2019): https://gmmmg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Management-of-OAB-in-adults-v3-0-approved-Aug-2019.pdf
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We really want to make these episodes relevant and helpful: if you have any questions or want any particular areas covered then contact us on Twitter @PCKBpodcast, or leave a comment on our quick anonymous survey here: https://pckb.org/feedback
Email us at: [email protected]
___
This podcast has been made with the support of GP Excellence and Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board. Given that it is recorded with Greater Manchester clinicians, the information discussed may not be applicable elsewhere and it is important to consult local guidelines before making any treatment decisions. 
The information presented is the personal opinion of the healthcare professional interviewed and might not be representative to all clinicians. It is based on their interpretation of current best practice and guidelines when the episode was recorded. Guidelines can change; To the best of our knowledge the information in this episode is up to date as of it’s release but it is the listeners responsibility to review the information and make sure it is still up to date when they listen.
Dr Lisa Adams, Dr Sara MacDermott and their interviewees are not liable for any advice, investigations, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products listeners might pursue as a result of listening to this podcast - it is the clinicians responsibility to appraise the information given and review local and national guidelines before making treatment decisions. Reliance on information provided in this podcast is solely at the listeners risk.
The podcast is designed to be used by trained healthcare professionals for education only. We do not recommend these for patients or the general public and they are not to be used as a method of diagnosis, opinion, treatment or medical advice for the general public. Do not delay seeking medical advice based on the information contained in this podcast. If you have questions regarding your health or feel you may have a medical condition then promptly seek the opinion of a trained healthcare professional.

Drs Lisa and Sara are joined by GP Dr Nikesh Vallabh, Consultant Cardiologist Dr Karthikeyan and Consultant Gastroenterologist Dr Bliss to discuss advice and guidance.
For those unfamiliar, the advice and guidance system came about to try to ease pressure on the long outpatient waiting lists, providing a different way of managing some cases. It is in place for a number of specialties for primary care clinicians to ask questions to consultants, getting an answer that will help guide patient care within a matter of short weeks at most. We talk about the system and where it can fit in to make a difference to patient care. We take the opportunity to go through some common themes and glean learning points from these to help our own practice.
Useful resources: 
Wigan, Wrightington and Leigh have their own LFTs guideline that should be available on the intranet or contact the local CCG
BMJ LFTs Algorithm 2017: https://www.bsg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Guidelines-on-the-management-of-abnormal-liver-blood-tests.pdf
Greater Manchester Guidelines for managing patients with dyspepsia in primary care: https://gpexcellencegm.org.uk/resources/guidelines-for-managing-patients-with-dyspepsia-in-primary-care/#.YFEP4C2l23U
NICE guidelines Chronic Heart Failure in Adults: Diagnosis and Management (2018) https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng106
___
We really want to make these episodes relevant and helpful: if you have any questions or want any particular areas covered then contact us on Twitter @PCKBpodcast, or leave a comment on our really quick anonymous survey here: https://pckb.org/feedback
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This podcast has been made with the support of Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, GP Excellence, Greater Manchester Training Hub and the GP Fellowship Programme, as well as Wigan Borough CCG. Given that it is recorded with Greater Manchester clinicians, the information discussed may not be applicable elsewhere and it is important to consult local guidelines before making any treatment decisions. 
The information presented is the personal opinion of the healthcare professional interviewed and might not be representative to all clinicians. It is based on their interpretation of current best practice and guidelines when the episode was recorded. Guidelines can change; To the best of our knowledge the information in this episode is up to date as of it’s release but it is the listeners responsibility to review the information and make sure it is still up to date when they listen.
Dr Lisa Adams, Dr Sara MacDermott and their interviewees are not liable for any advice, investigations, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products listeners might pursue as a result of listening to this podcast - it is the clinicians responsibility to appraise the information given and review local and national guidelines before making treatment decisions. Reliance on information provided in this podcast is solely at the listeners risk.
The podcast is designed to be used by trained healthcare professionals for education only. We do not recommend these for patients or the general public and they are not to be used as a method of diagnosis, opinion, treatment or medical advice for the general public. Do not delay seeking medical advice based on the information contained in this podcast. If you have questions regarding your health or feel you may have a medical condition then promptly seek the opinion of a trained healthcare professional.

Lisa and Sara talk to GPwSI, Dr Rachel Hilton about Generalised Itching.
She talks us through how to approach a patient presenting with generalised itching, the common and important causes, useful investigations and the management that we can try in primary care for these patients. 
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Useful resources: 
BATHE Study, BMJ 2018: https://www.bmj.com/content/361/bmj.k1332
Skin Support Website (pruritus page): http://skinsupport.org.uk/conditions-details/pruritus
British Association of Dermatologists (pruritus leaflet): http://www.bad.org.uk/for-the-public/patient-information-leaflets/pruritus
NICE CKS Widespread Itching Causes: https://cks.nice.org.uk/itch-widespread#!backgroundSub:1
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Have feedback or suggestions? You can help us know how we are doing with our 3 minute survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YYQ763C
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This podcast has been made with the support of Wigan CCG and GP Excellence in Greater Manchester. Given that they are recorded with Greater Manchester clinicians, the information discussed may not be applicable elsewhere and it is important to consult local guidelines before making any treatment decisions. 
The information presented is the personal opinion of the healthcare professional interviewed and might not be representative to all clinicians. It is based on their interpretation of current best practice and guidelines when the episode was recorded. Guidelines can change; To the best of our knowledge the information in this episode is up to date as of it’s release but it is the listeners responsibility to review the information and make sure it is still up to date when they listen.
Dr Lisa Adams, Dr Sara MacDermott and their interviewees are not liable for any advice, investigations, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products listeners might pursue as a result of listening to this podcast - it is the clinicians responsibility to appraise the information given and review local and national guidelines before making treatment decisions. Reliance on information provided in this podcast is solely at the listeners risk.
The podcast is designed to be used by trained healthcare professionals for education only. We do not recommend these for patients or the general public and they are not to be used as a method of diagnosis, opinion, treatment or medical advice for the general public. Do not delay seeking medical advice based on the information contained in this podcast. If you have questions regarding your health or feel you may have a medical condition then promptly seek the opinion of a trained healthcare professional.

Lisa and Sara talk to Consultant Gastroenterologist Dr Bliss about abnormal liver function tests. 
Here is a link to the NAFLD score calculator
Have feedback or suggestions? You can get in touch by either emailing us directly at [email protected] or on Twitter @PCKBpodcast
You can help us know how we are doing with our 5 minute survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YYQ763C
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This podcast has been made with the support of Wigan CCG. Given that they are recorded with Wigan clinicians, the information discussed may not be applicable elsewhere and it is important to consult local guidelines before making any treatment decisions. The information presented is the personal opinion of the healthcare professional interviewed and might not be representative to all clinicians. It is based on their interpretation of current best practice and guidelines when the episode was recorded. Guidelines can change; To the best of our knowledge the information in this episode is up to date as of it’s release but it is the listeners responsibility to review the information and make sure it is still up to date when they listen. Dr Lisa Adams, Dr Sara MacDermott and their interviewees are not liable for any advice, investigations, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products listeners might pursue as a result of listening to this podcast - it is the clinicians responsibility to appraise the information given and review local and national guidelines before making treatment decisions. Reliance on information provided in this podcast is solely at the listeners risk. The podcast is designed to be used by trained healthcare professionals for education only. We do not recommend these for patients or the general public and they are not to be used as a method of diagnosis, opinion, treatment or medical advice for the general public. Do not delay seeking medical advice based on the information contained in this podcast. If you have questions regarding your health or feel you may have a medical condition then promptly seek the opinion of a trained healthcare professional.