Lord Heseltine tells the story of the birth of the European Space Agency. Why post-Apollo, when the US was spending £1.2 billion a year on space, the whole of Europe was spending just £200 million. Why the birth of ESA was driven by the self-interest of three major countries. Why the US general with a $29 billion budget for the Star Wars project wanted to invest in Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. Why, the idea that Britain could compete alone with the technologies that were accumulated and available to the American capitalist system was “simply laughable”. Why “being European is not selling out British interests”. And why Margaret Thatcher told him: “If you want to get on and put your budget into this, you can, but you're not getting any of mine."

Join Alice and Lord Heseltine as they pick apart the negotiating contrivances and the wheeling and dealing to circumnavigate “turkeys not voting for Christmas” that ultimately put European space on the map.

Contributors:

Alice Bunn, President of UKspace

Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Lord Heseltine, Member of the House of Lords

Key topics covered:

• Creation of the European Space Agency (ESA)
• US "Star Wars" program and brain drain
• Geopolitical case for European R&D collaboration
• Impact of Brexit on science and technology

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Bloating is a common presentation in primary care and can be caused by a wide variety of conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerances, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

[Main] Bloating is a key characteristic of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but can also be a sign of a food intolerance (such as lactose intolerance) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, MIMS Learning editors Sangeeta and Rhiannon explore the potential causes of bloating and how they should be diagnosed and managed.

They review both the NICE and the Rome IV criteria for diagnosing IBS, subtypes, and management options (such as the FODMAP diet), and look at red flag symptoms that require further assessment. They also discuss the differences between functional gastrointestinal conditions and IBS.

The bidirectional relationship between eating disorders and gastrointestinal conditions, and

how bile acid malabsorption can masquerade as IBS-D, are also explored.

Educational objectives

After listening to this episode, healthcare professionals should be more aware of

• How IBS is diagnosed and managed
• How functional gastrointestinal disorders differ from IBS
• Food intolerances (including lactose intolerance) that are associated with bloating
• The bidirectional relationship between eating disorders and gastrointestinal conditions

You can access the website version of this podcast, along with a list of key learning points, on MIMS Learning — and make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

This episode was produced by Jude Owen.

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Bloating

Constipation: red flags and new dietary guidelines

Disorders of gut-brain interaction

Irritable bowel syndrome: clinical review

MIMS Learning Live South

Book for free

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Around a third of patients with dementia remain undiagnosed. Dr Alistair Robertson, a GP with an extended role in frailty, provides insights for GPs and other primary care professionals on how they can address underdiagnosis and provide support for patients and their families. He covers signs and symptoms to look out for, assessments to conduct, the role of drug treatments, and the benefits of honest conversations with patients and families.

Educational objectives

After listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:

• Consider the number of patients in their practice who may have undiagnosed dementia
• Reflect on differential diagnoses and how to take a good history
• Recall key signs and symptoms to look out for and how these may differ in different types of dementia
• Understand the role of cognitive assessment tools and how to use them
• Review current drug treatments and their effectiveness
• Explore how to address polypharmacy
• Understand the importance of early, honest conversations with patients and families

You can access the website version of this podcast, along with a list of key learning points and downloadable notes written by Dr Robertson, on MIMS Learning. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser and note-taking for appraisal.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

MIMS Learning

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Related resources from MIMS Learning and MIMS

Practical advice for GPs on dementia document created by Dr Alistair Robertson.

Frailty: clinical review

Guidance update: SIGN guidelines for support of people with dementia and their carers

Polypharmacy in a patient with dementia: nursing home case study

Anticholinergic cognitive burden (ACB) scores for commonly used drugs

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In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, MIMS Learning deputy editor Rhiannon and medical editor Dawn provide a comprehensive update on prostate health.

High-profile figures, such as Sir Chris Hoy, opening up about their own diagnoses have significantly increased public awareness of prostate cancer. In light of this, the editors discuss the rationale for targeted prostate cancer screening and patient counselling around prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests.

The conversation also highlights health inequalities in prostate cancer diagnosis, noting that Black men have double the risk of prostate cancer compared with other groups, and highlighting care for trans women, who may remain at risk of prostate cancer after gender-confirming surgery.

Beyond malignancy, this episode covers the symptoms and management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and chronic prostatitis in primary care.

Educational objectives

After listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:

• Recall draft recommendations for targeted prostate cancer screening in high-risk groups
• Identify key risk factors for prostate cancer, including ethnicity and age
• Outline factors that can raise or suppress PSA levels
• Understand the diagnostic pathway and the role of digital rectal examination
• Recognise symptoms and potential complications of BPH and prostatitis

You can access the website version of this podcast, along with a list of key learning points, on MIMS Learning - and make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

This episode was produced by Jude Owen.

MIMS Learning

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Expert perspective: prostate cancer diagnosis

Guidance update: NICE guidelines on prostate cancer

Latest updates in prostate cancer for primary care

Benign prostatic hyperplasia: clinical review

Prostate Cancer UK

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In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, Dr Louise Warburton talks to Dawn Liz Powell about the effect that obesity can have on the musculoskeletal system. She explains that if adults carry excess weight for a long time, perhaps from young adulthood, this can put additional strain on weight-bearing joints and can lead to premature wear and tear — meaning that the joints may need to be repaired or replaced.

Dr Warburton, who is a GP with an extended role in musculoskeletal conditions, also talks about the importance of physical activity during childhood for developing healthy bone mass, how to sensitively raise the issue of weight loss with a person with suspected obesity-related joint pain, and how to support people with joint pain to exercise safely.

The need for strength training for people on weight loss medications is also discussed during this episode.

Educational objectives

After listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:

• Discuss the effect of childhood obesity on spinal development
• Sensitively raise the issue of weight loss with a person with suspected obesity-related joint pain
• Reflect on the effect of GLP-1 medications on the musculoskeletal system
• Review the risks of toxicity reactions to pain medications in people living with obesity
• Support people with joint pain to exercise safely
• Understand the importance of strength training for people on weight loss medications

You can access the website version of this podcast, along with a list of key learning points, on MIMS Learning - and make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

MIMS Learning

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Bone pain - red flag symptoms

Obesity in adults

Podcast: musculoskeletal disorders

MIMS Healthcare Network

MIMS table on obesity treatments

MIMS Learning Live South (12 June, London, UK)

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In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, MIMS Learning editors Pat and Sangeeta discuss falls in older people, highlighting tips on assessment, the benefits of exercise, and the role of deprescribing in primary care.

Falls among older people cost the UK health and care system an estimated £4.4bn annually. Drawing on insights from consultant geriatrician Dr Anna Steel and NICE and British Geriatrics Society (BGS) guidance, Pat and Sangeeta cover multifactorial risk assessments and the ‘exercise as a drug’ approach.

The editors highlight the critical importance of medication reviews, particularly focusing on ‘FRIDs’ (falls risk-increasing drugs). As Dr Steel notes, patients often value their immediate quality of life and mobility over long-term cardiovascular protection, making shared decision-making essential. The episode also details pragmatic prescribing targets for blood pressure and diabetes in frail patients to minimise harm.

Educational objectives

After listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:

• Understand the significant economic and personal impact of falls in the UK
• Identify the ‘exercise as a drug’ approach to improve muscle mass and balance
• Consult NICE guidance for recommendations on assessment and deprescribing
• Recognise fall-risk increasing drugs (FRIDs) and deprescribing tools to use
• Understand pragmatic clinical targets for blood pressure and glucose in frail patients

You can access the website version of this podcast, along with a list of key learning points, on MIMS Learning - and make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

MIMS Learning

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Frailty: clinical review

Heart failure and frailty

A practical guide to conducting a structured medication review

Recurrent falls in older people

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In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, consultant dermatologist Dr Claire Fuller talks to MIMS Learning deputy editor Rhiannon about the clinical signs of scabies – including how presentation can differ in children and older adults – and provides a detailed breakdown of effective treatment regimens for both permethrin and ivermectin.

Dr Fuller goes on to discuss the issues of ‘pseudo-resistance’ and contact tracing, noting that ‘people do self-stigmatise and they really are challenged in persuading their contacts to treat.’

She also highlights scabies as a neglected tropical disease and a public health priority, with a particular focus on how it affects marginalised groups and those living in overcrowded settings.

Educational objectives

After listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to:

• Recall the clinical features of scabies in different patient groups
• Understand the role of microscopy or dermatoscopy in diagnosis
• Describe the correct treatment protocols for permethrin and ivermectin
• Explain the importance of treating all close contacts to prevent re-infestation
• Recognise the signs of crusted scabies
• Reflect on the wider impact of scabies, including its effect on mental health

You can access the website version of this podcast, along with a list of key learning points, on MIMS Learning - and make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

MIMS Learning

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Related resources

• Podcast: sexual health in women
• Case study: leptospirosis
• Mpox: clinical diagnosis and management
• MIMS: Lice and scabies treatments

MIMS: Scabies medication shortages continue

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