National Health Executive Podcast

Anthea Hockly, Associate Director of Workforce Development and Learning at Essex Partnership University NHS FT (EPUT), joins us to talk about the new Health and Care Academy which has been founded in Essex through the work of the trust and a number of other partners from across the region's health and social care delivery spectrum.Giving young people in the area an opportunity to directly engage with NHS and care professionals from a very diverse range of roles, including both clinical and non-clinical positions, the sessions were a great way to help the young people answer the questions they wanted to know and directly engage with people they perhaps otherwise would not have had the opportunity to do so with and discover job roles they may not have ever considered.Having originally been planned as a face-to-face event, the coronavirus pandemic caused EPUT and the other partners to have to flex and shift quickly to a digital offering instead - something which has since become a preferred outcome after it worked well, resonated with the young people who remained highly engaged and opened more doors to provide a wider, more interesting cohort of professionals.Training the next generation, across a range of different methods, and upskilling the existing workforce are essential to the continued success of the NHS and schemes like these are a vital way of ensuring the health service doesn't miss out on any potential future talent; even if they fall outside of the traditional, university/academic-focused route into the service. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Episode 12 of NHE's Finger on the Pulse podcast, I'm joined by Michelle Nix of Parking Eye as we discuss the ways their car park solutions can assist healthcare providers in improving revenues, creating a better user experience and allowing greater accessibility and the introduction of touchless and cashless technologies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of NHE's Finger on the Pulse podcast, host Matt Roberts is joined by Darren Atkins, Chief Technology Officer (Artificial Intelligence & Automation) at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust to talk about digital technology, automation and AI and how it all fits into the modern health sector. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mental health has always been an area of significant discussion in the health sector, from clinicians to solution through to prevention. But, on Episode 10 of NHE's Finger on the Pulse podcast host Matt Roberts chats with Nicholas Rowley of the Manchester branch of Andy's Man Club, a mental health charity aimed at supporting men to talk about their mental health problems and overcome some of the stigma, to understand what services are out there to address mental health provision beyond the traditional clinical settings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Telemedicine has been one of the emerging areas of progress during the coronavirus pandemic, with a much more widespread and rapid adoption of remote technology. But how effective is the technology for the clinicians using it - and how do we as a health sector decide which options are the best suited for adoption from organisations? To answer this and more, we speak with Glenn Smith, advanced nurse practitioner and one of NHE's newest editorial board members. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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