National Health Executive Podcast

Throughout this coronavirus period, the topic of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the availability of supplies for our healthcare workers has dominated the headlines. Shortages have been reported up and down the country, while centrally the government has slowly sought to reign in the problem and address the vast, unprecedented global demand.It’s been a competitive marketplace to battle in, while domestic production capabilities have taken time to ramp up to the level we’re now reaching. Around the country, there was and continues to be an acute need for PPE, from gloves and masks to isolation gowns. And up in the North East of England, one particular trust has looked to address demand regarding the latter of those items.Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust took steps to work with local industry to set up its own PPE factory, producing isolation gowns directly for both its own staff and its fellow local trusts. On Episode 8 of NHE’s Finger on the Pulse podcast, Northumbria Healthcare’s Director of Finance, Paul Dunn, and local textiles industry expert, Sarah Rose, join regular host Matt Roberts to discuss the work they’ve been doing in more detail.PPE just wasn’t being made at the necessary levels in the UK and with demand at maximum throughout the country, something needed to be done to ensure there wasn’t a complete shortage and staff remained protected as they worked to save lives. That response involved everyone, evolving as Paul tells us, from the way the local community and businesses responded locally.Yet as Sarah explains, setting up a scheme such as this was “not just a matter of opening a factory, sticking a load of sewing machines in and getting somebody to sit at them” but rather required that input and expertise on products, materials and meeting the correct, necessary standards with the goods. As such, Sarah’s input and network were equally vital in seeing this work through from an idea to reality.Now the vision has been realised, however, the opportunities are immense. Not only are Northumbria able to supply PPE gowns to their own staff and local staff in other trusts but they’re helping work to build a wider network around the country. Significant, vital lessons have learned from this process, with Paul explaining: “We’re very happy to give advice to any other organisation as well.“Pragmatic advice on how they can take initiatives like this forward if they want to set them up locally.”For the staff too, being involved in the process has allowed for the creation of PPE which better suits their needs. This wasn’t a case of selecting an item from a catalogue, ordering it in bulk and getting on with the job as so often is the case. Instead, throughout the process, they could offer their input, making a huge difference and ensuring its effectiveness.Spawned out of the desire of the local community to support and give back to the NHS, it has also allowed the healthcare service to help and protect local industries and workers in jobs such as the textiles field which have been hit hard by coronavirus. Collectively, through outside of the box collaborations such as these, both a demand for PPE has been met locally, protecting frontline staff, as well as bolstering and potentially reviving the local economy in some sectors.Northumbria Healthcare NHS FT’s work is just one of so many examples of innovative working throughout the UK. At NHE’s Finger on the Pulse podcast we want to hear from you about innovations your trust or organisation might be doing. Get in touch through the form on our podcast page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Baroness Ilora Finlay, Chair of the National Mental Capacity Forum and a Professor of Palliative Care, joins NHE's Matt Roberts to talk about efforts during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the potential longer term effects of bereavement, loss and trauma during Covid-19 and the potential positives we can find out of the difficult circumstances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 4 of #WeAreNHE podcast we are joined by Henry Jones, CEO of digital mental health organisation Big White Wall. As Henry explains, with demand fast outstripping our capacity, we cannot simply treat mental health in the traditional ways. We require innovation and new thinking, such as Big White Wall has brought to the table. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strategic Lead for Mind in Greater Manchester, Stewart Lucas, joins us for this on the go podcast to discuss mental health care in the UK and how he feels it is at present about 100 years behind where we are with physical health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chief Executive of social care enterprise, Turning Point, Lord Victor Adebowale, joins us for the third NHE podcast, giving us insight into the difference he’s made during his 20 years at Turning Point and what he hopes to achieve in his new role at NHS Confederation.With hosts Emily Rodgers and Matt Roberts, and our first on-the-go podcast, from Angel square in Manchester, the conversation covers the three key challenges of healthcare in the West and how the third challenge needs to serve the first two. Main topics include technology in the healthcare industry and new models of service delivery to benefit the end user. Victor talks at length about the challenges of the industry, but with unwavering optimism for the future, as long as “It’s about thinking long and learning short.”Whether you are in the healthcare industry or not, this podcast will bring you insightful information from a man brimming with experience. Victor is also chair of Social Enterprise UK and is passionate about improving the lives of people, particularly those “on the sharp end of universal care law”, and working towards a one stop healthcare shop for citizens.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Claire Watson, recovery academy lead at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, joins us on the second-ever NHE podcast, talking us through general mental health and the state of care for it currently, as well as what she sees in her role as the potential solutions, and causes, of the problem.The Recovery Academy, set up in 2013, is where Claire now spends her time, helping facilitate shared learning around mental health at the facility – which acts as a college within a functioning mental health hospital.As she describes, it wasn’t the initial route she’d planned but a “series of fates” saw her end up in the current role, where as of October 1, 2019 she assisted in launching the academy’s 14th prospectus, now offering 66 courses and catering to more than 7,500 learners.Mental health remains, understandably therefore, a huge pressing issue in Claire’s mind for the modern-day health and social care sector. In her eyes, as a mum to a teenage daughter, there is immense and constant pressure on young people and as such there needs to be real care and attention put into addressing mental health concerns they might have.“Mental health doesn’t happen in isolation” – that was the most powerful statement of Claire’s during the podcast, and rings true as she discusses just how we should look to help address wider problems if we are to genuinely tackle mental health issues.There is so much great, important conversation to indulge yourself with in this podcast, but equally we bring a little bit of a light onto who Claire is herself.So, what two songs keep our incredible guest in good spirits, and can you beat her score on our health news quiz?!Finally, who would Claire most want to sit down with at a dinner party and pick their brains? It’s a dinner table we certainly think many would be interested to listen into! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Tracey Vell MBE, chief executive of Manchester LMC, clinical director of Health Innovation Manchester and associate lead for primary care at the Greater Manchester Health & Social Care Partnership, joins us in the studio for our first NHE podcast, giving us exclusive insight into the health environment and innovation going on in Greater Manchester.This timely half hour episode takes a deep dive into the roles of Dr Vell, discussing NHS frustrations, health innovation and why there needs to be fewer meetings.Meaningful change in NHS leadership is a hot topic of the episode, with a couple of "this is quite controversial..." moments, Dr Vell gives us an unfiltered and honest opinion to the current health care sector and why she wants to start a new conversation regarding NHS' "falling workforce."Find out how she thinks that the use of digital will bring about better access into healthcare and why digital innovation is everywhere.With a medical quiz taking her back to her training days and her call for "disrupting culture", this debut NHE episode is not one to be missed.Can you guess who she would invite to her dinner party? I'll give you a clue - he divides the nation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.