Stories of Safety
Stories of Safety
Stories of Safety is a podcast that delves into the stories, science, and policy that have shaped
health care safety. Hosted by patient safety researcher Professor Jane O’Hara, and funded and
delivered by National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Yorkshire & Humber Patient
Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC), this series brings together leading voices from the UK and
beyond to explore a deceptively simple yet crucial question: How safe are we, and how can we
improve?
Through insightful conversations with researchers, patients and families, policymakers, and
those on the front lines, Stories of Safety explores the complexity of health care and the
challenges of managing and measuring safety.
Join us as we navigate the ever-evolving world of patient safety—one story at a time.
This podcast has been funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
Yorkshire & Humber Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC). The views expressed are
those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and
Social Care.
Jane O’Hara is Director of Research at The Healthcare Improvement Studies (THIS) Institute,
University of Cambridge, and theme lead for the Safer Systems, Cultures and Practices theme
within the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Yorkshire & Humber Patient
Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC).
health care safety. Hosted by patient safety researcher Professor Jane O’Hara, and funded and
delivered by National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Yorkshire & Humber Patient
Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC), this series brings together leading voices from the UK and
beyond to explore a deceptively simple yet crucial question: How safe are we, and how can we
improve?
Through insightful conversations with researchers, patients and families, policymakers, and
those on the front lines, Stories of Safety explores the complexity of health care and the
challenges of managing and measuring safety.
Join us as we navigate the ever-evolving world of patient safety—one story at a time.
This podcast has been funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
Yorkshire & Humber Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC). The views expressed are
those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and
Social Care.
Jane O’Hara is Director of Research at The Healthcare Improvement Studies (THIS) Institute,
University of Cambridge, and theme lead for the Safer Systems, Cultures and Practices theme
within the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Yorkshire & Humber Patient
Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC).
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 23, 2025 • 48min
3: Episode 3 - Jo Wailling
Content warning: this episode includes discussion on suicide.
In this episode of Stories of Safety, we speak with Dr Jo Wailling, a leading expert on healthcare harm, to unpack one of the most complex and challenging concepts in patient safety.
Jo reflects on what we really mean when we talk about “harm” in healthcare—how it's defined, experienced, and responded to by both professionals and patients. We delve into the emotional and systemic dimensions of harm, and the importance of moving beyond blame to foster learning, accountability, and healing.
This episode invites listeners to reflect on how we acknowledge and address harm in a way that supports those affected and drives genuine improvement across healthcare systems.
A powerful conversation about one of the most human aspects of safety in care.
May 23, 2025 • 52min
2: Episode 2 - Charles Vincent
In this episode of Stories of Safety, we sit down with Professor Charles Vincent, one of the world’s leading experts in patient safety, to explore how the field has evolved and where it’s headed next.
Drawing on decades of research and experience, Vincent reflects on the fundamental challenges of measuring and improving safety in complex healthcare systems.
We discuss the shift from simply preventing harm to building resilience in healthcare, the role of culture and leadership, and why listening to both staff and patients is crucial for meaningful change. Vincent also shares insights from his groundbreaking work on safety strategies, risk management, and the future of patient-centred care.
Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 18min
1: Episode 1 - Shaun Lintern
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.
