Sexual health consultations are an essential element of holistic general practice, but opportunities to have these important conversations are often missed. Primary care nurses may frequently encounter sexual health concerns during short consultations, where the presenting problem may not be clearly sexual in nature. This article is the second in a series on sexual health in general practice. It focuses on communication in sexual health consultations, including communication difficulties, inequalities in access, clinic-level messaging and core consultation skills. It is argued that health communication should be understood as a core clinical competency within general practice, rather than a specialist skill. Implementing structured, inclusive and patient-centred communication in routine care may improve diagnostic accuracy, prevention, safeguarding and equity of access.
This article explores lymphoedema, differential diagnosis, management and the importance of early identification. Lymphoedema is often seen as a specialist-only condition, but it is increasingly prevalent in UK society. General practice nurses are uniquely placed to aid early identification, implement initial management strategies and refer patients on to specialist services. This article covers the difference between primary and secondary lymphoedema and the importance of differential diagnosis with, for example, heart failure. It discusses assessment tools (such as the pitting test), the importance of good skin care, compression therapy, activity and elevation, and weight management. Lymphoedema is an under-reported, under-recognised condition, but early assessment and treatment can lead to improved long-term outcomes for patients.
In February 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence issued a significant update to its guidance on the management of type 2 diabetes in adults. This has important implications for general practice nursing, affecting not just prescribing practice, but the basis of the diabetes consultation itself. This article discusses some of the key changes set out in the updated guidance in the context of primary care nursing practice, reflecting on the shift away from a glucose-centred paradigm towards a more holistic model of diabetes care.
During the transition towards the menopause, many women will experience symptoms in a period known as perimenopause. The duration of this process and the severity of symptoms is highly variable but, for some, this can be severe enough to affect their wellbeing and quality of life. This article provides an overview of symptoms of perimenopause and treatment options, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, with the aim of equipping primary care nurses with the knowledge required to support patients going through this process. Induced menopause, premature ovarian insufficiency and differential diagnoses are also discussed.
In this article, Aysha Mendes explains how comprehensive risk assessment, vaccination and health education are key aspects of travel health advice to manage risks such as malaria, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis in line with national guidance.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition. Delay in diagnosis andfragmented care is common and this can have a significant effect onquality of life for those affected and their families. Recent guidancehas highlighted the imperative of earlier recognition in primary careusing symptom-based diagnosis supported by examination and timely referral for further diagnostic procedures. The focus should be onperson-centred care and individualised approaches. For primary care practitioners, the guidance highlights the need for comprehensiveassessment of cyclical or non-cyclic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhoea, deep dyspareunia, bowel and bladder symptoms and subfertility. Thearticle will outline history taking and assessment, pharmacological management of analgesic and hormonal options, and person-centredsupport strategies that can be instigated in primary care settings.
This article is the first in a three-part series on sexual health in primary care. Part one provides a practical and systematic framework to support general practice nurses in conducting effective sexual history taking within routine consultations. Drawing on national guidance and current evidence, it outlines key components of assessment, including the presenting complaint, thorough sexual history, past medical history, contraception and pregnancy risk, blood-borne virus risk and relevant social and safeguarding considerations. The essential role of confidentiality and the influence of consultation settings are also explored. This article is part one of a series, with part two addressing clinical examinations, investigations and management.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a significant and growing global health concern, disproportionately affecting individuals living in areas of socioeconomic deprivation. This structured literature review critically explores how social determinants of health influence diabetes outcomes. Articles appearing on CINAHL, MEDLINE and PubMed, published between 2013 and 2023, were included. Three key themes from the nine included studies were identified: social determinants and inequality; health literacy and self-management; and behavioural change and structured education. Socioeconomic deprivation, reduced access to services and low health literacy were consistently associated with poorer glycaemic control and increased complications, but evidence suggests that targeted educational and behavioural interventions can improve engagement and outcomes when appropriately tailored. This highlights the need for a comprehensive, nurse-led and person-centred approach, addressing structural, cultural and individual determinants of health.
Painful procedures are common in children's healthcare and must be managed carefully to minimise distress, prevent long-term fear and maintain trust between children, families and healthcare professionals. Children's ability to perceive, interpret and communicate pain varies with age and cognitive ability, and effective assessment involves a thorough history, supported by structured tools and the use of validated, age-appropriate pain measurement scales. Parental involvement plays a critical role, as children often mirror caregivers’ responses. Evidence-based strategies such as topical anaesthesia, distraction techniques and appropriate positioning can reduce procedural pain and distress. This article provides advice for primary care nurses on pain assessment and management, concluding that a structured, individualised and compassionate approach is fundamental to improving outcomes for children and their families.
Wound care is a core component of general practice nursing, yet service variation, increasing patient complexity and evolving commissioning structures present ongoing challenges for safe and effective care delivery. This article discusses a 2025 regional wound care survey involving 177 primary care clinicians, predominantly practice nurses, who reported high levels of engagement with routine wound care but significant difficulties managing complex wounds. Respondents highlighted time constraints, limited access to training, inconsistent referral pathways and variable multidisciplinary team involvement. Confidence in routine wound care was high, but confidence in managing complex wounds was considerably lower. These findings are discussed in the context of patient safety, workforce development and primary care service design. Recommendations include improving pathways, enhancing training and supervision, and ensuring clearer commissioning arrangements to support sustainable and effective wound care in primary care settings.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body's dysregulated response to infection and remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the UK. Early recognition and prompt escalation are essential to improving patient outcomes. Nurses working in primary care frequently encounter patients presenting with infection or non-specific symptoms that may indicate potential clinical deterioration. This article provides an overview of what practice nurses need to know about recognising possible sepsis in primary care settings, including common symptoms, red flag indicators and risk factors associated with severe illness. It also outlines practical steps that clinicians should take when sepsis is suspected, including escalation and safety-netting advice. Recent updates to national guidance are discussed, including the increased emphasis on recognising vulnerable patient groups and identifying deterioration early. By improving awareness of sepsis recognition in primary care, general practice nurses can play an important role in supporting timely assessment and treatment.
Airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure (A–E) assessment of babies, children and young people is an essential element of clinical practice. Babies, children and young people are not small adults and, as such, have anatomical and physiological differences that need to be recognised during examination. This is the first in a series of articles that will provide practical guidance on common presentations, ‘red-flag’ symptoms in children and young people, the need for escalation and advice for home care management.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection of growing global significance and an increasingly important diagnosis in returning travellers to the UK. In 2025, over 5 million cases were reported worldwide, with 158 cases recorded in the UK between January and June. Prevention relies primarily on mosquito-bite avoidance and individualised pre-travel risk assessment. Vaccination may be considered for some individuals with previous laboratory-confirmed dengue infection who remain at risk of exposure. Travel health practitioners play a critical role in delivering evidence-based advice on prevention, vaccination and early symptom recognition. As dengue transmission continues to expand, awareness among health professionals is essential to support diagnosis, management and decision making.
Inequalities and social determinants of health can impact children with asthma in all aspects of their lives, from housing and food access to family dynamics and health literacy. Laura King explores these factors, highlighting the need for professional curiosity and a non-judgemental approach when supporting children and families through asthma management.
Asthma is a major health concern for children and young people in the UK, with high rates of avoidable mortality and hospital admissions compared to other European countries. This article, written by a specialist asthma nurse, provides advice for primary care nurses on the care of children and young people with asthma. Asthma reviews are performed regularly in general practice, often by general practice nurses. High-quality reviews and follow-up care can significantly improve asthma outcomes, reduce hospital admissions and prevent avoidable deaths. The author has developed an acronym, SEARCH AIR, to guide asthma reviews, which is described here.
Overactive bladder syndrome is a complex condition that can affect both men and women. The associated symptoms can be distressing, impacting the health, wellbeing and quality of life of those affected. With symptoms of varying nature and severity, overactive bladder syndrome can be challenging to manage and remission rates remain relatively low. This article provides an overview of overactive bladder syndrome for primary care nurses, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and the role of the practice nurse in supporting patients with this condition.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program is a key component of cancer prevention in the UK, yet uptake remains uneven across regions and social groups. General practice nurses are strategically positioned to improve coverage through vaccination delivery, health promotion and patient education. This article examines the epidemiology of HPV, the spectrum of related diseases and recent policy developments, including the transition to a simplified one-dose schedule for healthy adolescents and increased eligibility among boys and high-risk groups. It also outlines recommended schedules, catch-up strategies and practical guidance for managing immunocompromised patients. Emphasis is placed on addressing vaccine hesitancy, countering misinformation and communicating benefits empathetically and inclusively. By integrating clinical competence with effective communication, nurses can maximise the public health impact of the HPV vaccination programme and reduce the burden of HPV-related disease.
