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You might have heard the term "Chronic Kidney Disease". You might havebeen diagnosed with it. It sounds horrendous, right?

And it is important, but what does it mean, and should you be worried?

In this episode Dr Geoff Hamp and Dr Sam McGinley discuss the topic of CKD.

Dr Geoff and Dr Sam look at the facts and give you information about what CKD means, what it is, and what you need to know and what you can do.

If you have any suggestions for topics you would like covered, any comments or ideas, or even just want to say hello then email us at the show at hello@coughybreak.com

Sit back, and enjoy a Coughy Break!

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All content provided (“Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or healthcare advice. The content is valid in England at the time of recording. The Content should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified medical professional for medical matters.

Released 30/3/26

Show time 14 minutes 36 seconds

Music and audio under license

Coughy Break is a Coughy Break Production

And now, time for a Coughy Break!

Welcome back to Coughy Break!

Skin moles - we all have them. But what's a worrying mole? What does one look like. What does one feel like? And how do we know that that really large irritating mole isn't a bad one? And what actually is a mole?

In this episode Dr Geoff Hamp and Dr Sam McGinley discuss the topic of moles.

Dr Geoff and Dr Sam look at the facts and give you information about what the different sorts of moles are, what risk factors increase the risk of that mole turning into something more serious, how to mole map, and that contrasting advice about vitamin d and uv exposure.

If you have any suggestions for topics you would like covered, any comments or ideas, or even just want to say hello then email us at the show at hello@coughybreak.com

Sit back, and enjoy a Coughy Break!

You can find the PCDS self-examination advice here:

https://www.pcds.org.uk/self-examination-of-moles

Legal Disclaimer

All content provided (“Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or healthcare advice. The content is valid in England at the time of recording. The Content should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified medical professional for medical matters.

Released 27/4/26

Show time 18 minutes 03 seconds

Music and audio under license

Coughy Break is a Coughy Break Production

And now, time for a Coughy Break!

Welcome back to Coughy Break!

In this episode Dr Geoff Hamp and Dr Sam McGinley discuss the topic of pre-payment certificates. If you pay for one or more NHS prescription items a month, this has to be an episode to listen to! How to save money on your prescriptions can only be a good thing.

And if you are on HRT medications, you also need to listen to this epispode. We talk about the HRT pre-payment certificate, something many patients and doctors don't know about.

Dr Geoff and Dr Sam look at the facts and give you information about who the certificates can be helpful for, how to get them and just what you can expect when you get one.

If you have any suggestions for topics you would like covered, any comments or ideas, or even just want to say hello then email us at the show at hello@coughybreak.com

Sit back, and enjoy a Coughy Break!

Links we discuss in the show:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-hormone-replacement-therapy-prescription-prepayment-certificate-hrt-ppc/medicines-covered-hrt-ppc

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-hormone-replacement-therapy-prescription-prepayment-certificate-hrt-ppc

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/save-money-with-a-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc/

Legal Disclaimer

All content provided (“Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or healthcare advice. The content is valid in England at the time of recording. The Content should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified medical professional for medical matters.

Released 13/4/26

Show time 10 minutes 13 seconds

Music and audio under license

Coughy Break is a Coughy Break Production

And now, time for a Coughy Break!

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This episode is about meningitis, what causes it, how its spread, what the symptoms of meningitis are, how it's diagnosed, how it's treated, and what you can do to try and prevent it.

Meningitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that affects babies, infants, children and young adults, as well as older people and anyone with a lowered immune system. Prompt recongnition of the signs of meningitis can lead to faster diagnosis and treatment.

In this episode Dr Geoff Hamp and Dr Sam McGinley discuss meningitis in detail and explore the infection, some of the complications that can develop and explain that meningitis is a medical emergency.

Dr Geoff and Dr Sam look at the facts and give you information about what meningitis is and what to do if you think you, or someone else, has meningitis.

If you have any suggestions for topics you would like covered, any comments or ideas, or even just want to say hello then email us at the show at hello@coughybreak.com

Sit back, and enjoy a Coughy Break!

Suggested links:

The Meningitis Research Foundation https://www.meningitis.org

The Meningitis Charity, Meningitis Now https://www.meningitisnow.org

Legal Disclaimer

All content provided (“Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or healthcare advice. The content is valid in England at the time of recording. The Content should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified medical professional for medical matters.

Released 22/3/26

Show time 18 minutes 34 seconds

Music and audio under license

Coughy Break is a Coughy Break Production

And now, time for a Coughy Break!

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We've all been there, nasal congestion, not able to breathe, not able to sleep and feeling miserable. So, what about those nasal decongestant sprays? They promise fast action and being able to breathe again within seconds. And, they do work!

So, what's the problem? Well in this episode Dr Geoff Hamp and Dr Sam McGinley discuss the topic of using nasal decongestants and some of the potential issues.

Dr Geoff and Dr Sam look at the facts and give you information about how they work, their side effects, and some important safety warnings.

And what to do if you, or someone you know, really can’t be without that bottle of nose spray!

If you have any suggestions for topics you would like covered, any comments or ideas, or even just want to say hello then email us at the show at hello@coughybreak.com

Sit back, and enjoy a Coughy Break!

Legal Disclaimer

All content provided (“Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or healthcare advice. The content is valid in England at the time of recording. The Content should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified medical professional for medical matters.

Released 16/3/26

Show time 17 minutes 02 seconds

Music and audio under license

Coughy Break is a Coughy Break Production

And now, time for a Coughy Break!

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Painful, swollen toe. Must be gout. But how can it be? You don't drink port and you don't eat cheese, well not that much anyway! And when was the last pheasant or grouse you ate? Never. So, can't be gout then surely!

In this episode Dr Geoff Hamp and Dr Sam McGinley discuss the topic of gout. It is surprisingly common, surprisingly painful, and generally not fun at all.

Dr Geoff and Dr Sam look at the facts and give you the latest information about how to diagnose it, how to treat it, and how to prevent it. And whether or not port is the cure, or the cause!

If you have any suggestions for topics you would like covered, any comments or ideas, or even just want to say hello then email us at the show at

Sit back, and enjoy a Coughy Break!

UK Gout Society https://www.ukgoutsociety.org/

Legal Disclaimer

All content provided (“Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or healthcare advice. The content is valid in England at the time of recording. The Content should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified medical professional for medical matters.

Released 2/3/26

Show time 18 minutes 26 seconds

Music and audio under license

Coughy Break is a Coughy Break Production

And now, time for a Coughy Break!

Welcome back to Coughy Break.

In this episode Dr Geoff Hamp and Dr Sam McGinley are joined by a very special guest. Gareth Hall is the Microsoft global health and lifesciences solutions team lead based in Seattle, Washington. He has experience of working in the NHS and healthcare as well as working at Microsoft HQ in Washington.

Dr Geoff and Dr Sam speak with Gareth and look at the current situation regarding AI in healthcare, medicine, science and technology, as well as exploring what the pitfalls are, what safeguards are in place, and what the future might hold for us.

If you have any suggestions for topics you would like covered, any comments or ideas, or even just want to say hello then email us at the show at hello@coughybreak.com

Sit back, and enjoy a Coughy Break!

Legal Disclaimer

All content provided (“Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or healthcare advice. The content is valid in England at the time of recording. The Content should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified medical professional for medical matters.

Released 16/2/26

Show time 55 minutes 06 seconds

Music and audio under license

Coughy Break is a Coughy Break Production

Welcome back to Coughy Break!

Sometimes the help we need isn't in a blister pack, a medicine bottle, or a cardboard box with a chemist label on. Sometimes we need the expert help of others, those who work alongside our GPs.

In this episode Dr Geoff Hamp and Dr Sam McGinley are joined by two of our experts, Xanthe Grace, a Health Coach, and Chris Shuter, a Social Prescriber.

Dr Geoff and Dr Sam explore what Health Coaching and Social Prescribing is, how it can help, and how to access these amazing resources.

If you have any suggestions for topics you would like covered, any comments or ideas, or even just want to say hello then email us at the show at

Sit back, and enjoy a Coughy Break!

Guest information

Xanthe works for our partner organisation Help and Care. They are a local charity working in Dorset, and for over 40 years have helped thousands of individuals navigate life’s challenges and opportunities.

They work across the south of England to provide information, advice, and direct support to people who need it most. They can be accessed through GP or other health professional referrals, or directly through their website helpandcare.org.uk or by calling 0300 111 3303.

Legal Disclaimer

All content provided (“Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or healthcare advice. The content is valid in England at the time of recording. The Content should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified medical professional for medical matters.

Released 2/2/26

Show time 39 minutes 59 seconds

Music and audio under license

Coughy Break is a Coughy Break Production