ICS Cast

Meningitis has been in the news in recent weeks, as an unprecedented cluster of infections and, sadly, several deaths have taken place in the Kent area.In this timely podcast episode, Dr Jonny Wilkinson is joined by Intensivists Dr Martin Beed, Dr Peter Brindley (authors of the new primer on infectious meningitis and encephalitis in the Journal of the Intensive Care Society), and Dr Andrew Conway-Morris.They explore the UK government’s targeted Men-B vaccination programme for university students and affected schools, the critical importance of early clinical suspicion and prompt antibiotic administration, transmission risks in nightclubs and social settings (including behaviours like vaping), and lessons from past UK and global outbreaks.Packed with actionable clinical guidance and real-world takeaways, this episode is essential listening for healthcare professionals, students, parents, and anyone wanting to understand how to spot, treat, and prevent this devastating disease.

This powerful podcast episode covers an in-depth discussion about the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale and its use in intensive care settings, featuring Professor Ken Rockwood, the creator of the scale, along with Professor Zudin Puthucheary and Professor Nazir Lone. The conversation explores the origins of the scale, developed not as a screening tool, but as a way to summarise comprehensive geriatric assessments with our speakers delving into how the scale became particularly prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic for ICU admission decisions. Reflecting on the complex decisions clinicians face when treating frail patients in intensive care, our guests challenges listeners to go beyond the scale and calls for careful judgment, empathy, and a deeper understanding of what meaningful care truly looks like.

In this lively episode recorded at SOA25, Jonny sits down with Prof Matt Morgan and Dr Hannah Matson for a hilarious and insightful chat about what animals can teach us about human critical care!Matt is a renowned intensive care consultant, honorary professor, and author of One Medicine: How Understanding Animals Can Save Our Lives, shares how lessons from the animal kingdom—from giraffe physiology aiding asthma treatment to whale heart insights improving cardiac care—can transform human ICU practice.Hannah is a veterinary intensivist and staff clinician in Emergency and Critical Care at the Royal Veterinary College’s Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, who brought a wealth of practical wisdom on animal critical care and eye-opening parallels to human medicine. If you’re ready for serious insights delivered with serious laughs, this one’s not to be missed!

In the latest episode, Jonny Wilkinson talks to some leading voices in critical care research. He sits down with Prof Dan Martin, Prof Luigi Camporota and Prof Louise Rose, diving into the realities of running large-scale trials like UK ROX, navigating barriers to research in the UK, and strategies for making critical care research more accessible and engaging. Hear what it's really like to run the gauntlet of outcome uncertainty and battling with A.I with a candid look at the state of research trials today and an exploration on the future of intensive care research.

Get an exclusive insider's look at the Intensive Care Society's highly anticipated State of the Art Congress 2026 (#SOA26), taking place 30 June – 2 July at the Birmingham ICC. Jonny sits down with programme director and ConsultantPhysiotherapist in Critical Care Ema Swingwood, who shares key details on the cutting-edge programme and what delegates can expect from this landmark event focused on the future of intensive care. Joining her is Dr Alicia Waite, senior trainee, founder of the TRICC network, and now leading on abstracts for SOA26. Together, they dive deep into the abstract submissionprocess (with the deadline fast approaching!), tips for getting your work accepted, highlights of the congress, and plenty more insights to inspire the critical care community. Plus, keep an ear out for a possible superstar guest appearance that might just steal the show! Don't miss this essential preview; whether you'replanning to submit, attend, or simply stay ahead of the curve in ICU innovation.

In the latest episode of ICS Cast, host Jonny Wilkinson sits down with three leading palliative care specialists, Dr Steph Meddick-Dyson, Dr Sarah Grove, and Dr Katarina Rusinova, to delve into the critical intersection of palliative care and intensive care. This insightful discussion builds on their thought-provoking session "Outside the Box with Palliative Care Medicine" at the Intensive Care Society's State of the Art meeting in Birmingham in 2025. The conversation highlights why care of the dying is so pivotal to the daily work of intensive care specialists, arguing that parallel palliative involvement should become far more routine and that all critical care clinicians should embrace core palliative principles as an integral part of their practice. Drawing on their expertise, the guests explore compassionate approaches to death in the ICU, effective strategies for discussing prognosis and goals of care, sensitive counseling of relatives, patients, and loved ones, and practical ways to integrate symptom management, emotional support, and ethical decision-making amid high-stakes critical illness. This episode offers valuable reflections for intensivists, trainees, and the wider multidisciplinary team on enhancing end-of-life care without compromising the drive for recovery.

We dive deep into the UK’s sharpest early H3N2 flu wave in years, with host Dr Jonny Wilkinson, and an outstanding expert panel:•  Prof Shondipon Laha (Consultant in Critical Care & Anaesthesia, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and President of the Intensive Care Society)•  Prof Anthony Gordon (Imperial College London - Professor of Anaesthesia & Critical Care, NIHR Research Professor and Consultant Intensivist)•  Dr Brijesh Patel (Imperial College & Royal Brompton - Reader in Cardiothoracic Intensive Care, Consultant Intensivist and national ECMO lead)•  Prof Anthony Conway-Morris (University of Cambridge & Addenbrooke’s - MRC Clinician Scientist and Honorary Consultant specialising in critical care immunology)•  Mark Borthwick (Oxford University Hospitals - Consultant Pharmacist for Critical Care and past chair of the UKCPA Critical Care Group)From frontline pressures and ECMO preparedness to antivirals and public health messaging - essential listening for anyone in critical care this winter.

In this episode, Jonny sits down with Dr. Jenny Ferry, a leading figure in regional anaesthesia who shares her expertise in enhancing ICU pain management through a focused set of high-impact nerve blocks. This podcast was recorded following a hugely popular SOA25 live demo of ultrasound-guided nerve blocks specifically suited to intensive care which showcased practicaltechniques, including cervical plexus, serratus anterior, erector spinae, and rectus sheath blocks, used to manage high-morbidity conditions like rib fractures. Jenny discusses the key nerve blocks every ICU clinician should know, how she successfully trains residents with hands-on, confidence-building approaches and gives insight into cutting-edge simulation tools, including a new needle trainer developed with Surgical Science to advance skills andassessment.Tune in now for insights into critical care and regional anaesthesia! Declarations:Dr. Jonny Wilkinson, as a specialist in regional anesthesia is involved in the organisation of the RAUK Annual Scientific Meeting and has no affiliation with Surgical Science. Dr. Jenny Ferry, as a specialist in regional anesthesia is involved in the organisation of the RAUK Annual Scientific Meeting and was involved in the development of the needle trainer with Surgical Science.

In this podcast episode, our host Jonny Wilkinson interviews Professor Mervyn Singer on his 40-year career in intensive care. This entertaining and engaging exchange covers the evolution of ICU practices, challenges in modernmedical trials, changes in medical education and training, experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and technological advances in healthcare. Prof Singer shares insights about negative trials in ICU research, the importance of individualised patient care, and the evolution of ventilator technology from basic mechanical systems to modern equipment. With wit, wisdom, and a few surprising anecdotes, he reflects on a remarkable career and what comes next after stepping away from the bedside but not from the frontline of innovation.

In this reflective and insightful first episode, our host Jonny Wilkinson sits down with Imam Yunus Dudhwala, Head of Chaplaincy at Barts Health NHS Trust, to explore the complex intersection of religion, ethics, and end-of-life care in the intensive care unit. Recorded following the Intensive Care Society's symposium, “Legal and Ethical Issues: What Has Faith Got to Do With It? How religion and spirituality affect end-of-life care in ICU”, the conversation considers how spiritual beliefs influence clinical decisions, patient autonomy, and definitions of quality of life, particularly when life-sustaining treatment may be limited or withdrawn.Drawing from his extensive experience supporting patients, families, and clinicians in the ICU setting, Imam Yunus offers insights into how Islamic perspectives and broader religious values shape ethical considerations, the care of the dying, and culturally sensitive communication.The symposium was hosted by the Intensive Care Society’s Legal and Ethical Group ‘LEAG’. Thanks to GE HealthCare who sponsored the recording booth where this podcast was recorded.