Stories of Safety 1: Episode 1 - Shaun Lintern
Apr 23, 2025
Shaun Lintern, Health Editor of The Sunday Times and an investigative journalist known for exposing major NHS scandals, discusses the pivotal role of journalism in healthcare accountability. He reflects on his experiences uncovering the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust scandal and the sodium valproate crisis, emphasizing the importance of patient narratives. Lintern also highlights the ethical challenges faced by journalists while balancing critiques of institutions with recognition of frontline workers' dedication. A call for transparency and a cultural shift in healthcare is central to his insights.
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Value of Patient Voices Exposed
- Mid Staffordshire scandal was visible through existing data but overlooked by regulators who assumed others were monitoring issues.
- Patient and family voices were crucial because the system failed to act on clear warning signs.
Handling The Death Knock Empathetically
- Shaun Lintern calls the act of interviewing people who have lost loved ones "the death knock" because it is emotionally difficult.
- He approaches these interviews with empathy, honesty, and takes time to build trust so that people feel comfortable sharing their stories.
Interview Trauma Survivors In Person
- When interviewing people about trauma, do it in person to build trust and gather richer information.
- End interviews by shifting conversation to present-day positive topics to help interviewees emotionally recover.
