In this episode of BLMK Health Conversations on... we are focussing on the subject of workforce in the NHS. Work is now underway which includes ongoing engagement with colleagues, external partners, and stakeholders. The focus is on developing a new single workforce, training and education function which is centred around the provision of quality support to colleagues. The conversation in this podcast will explore how those aims will be achieved. Host Felicity Cox is joined by some very special guests: Anita Pisani - Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Workforce at Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust. Martha Roberts - Chief People Officer, Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System Here are the highlights: (00:32) Introductions and background (02:57) Our business is a people business (09:55) Lessons learned from Covid (13:50) How do we achieve our workforce goals? (19:33) Improving cultural equality, diversity and inclusion in the NHS (30:32) The National Staff Survey 2022 (35:30) The role of organizational development now and in the future…

In this episode of BLMK Health Conversation On... we will focus on cancer detection, care of cancer patients and the treatment available. With one in two people now at risk of being diagnosed with cancer there has never been a more pressing time to develop and put in place a long-term plan to: diagnose cancers earlier, improve people’s survival rates, and provide well supported and personalised care that is closer to the patient’s home . The ICB’s long-term plan is ambitious and is focused on diagnosing cancers earlier and faster, so that more people are diagnosed at stages one or two by 2028. Host Felicity Cox is joined by some very special guests: Kathy Nelson, Head of Cancer Network Dawn Allen, founder of the Henry Allen Trust Dr James Ramsey, Respiratory Consultant at L&D Hospital Sarah Miller, Head of Informatics, Cancer Alliance Amanda Pleavin, Managing Director for Cancer Alliance Here are the highlights: (00:27) Introductions and background (03:14) How do we support people living with cancer and beyond? (10:06) What are we doing locally to get patients the diagnosis and treatment they need? (15:36) The current picture of cancer rates in BLMK (22:36) How are we supporting faster diagnosis? (28:32) What can we do to accelerate the work? (31:09) How has Covid impacted cancer care? (36:52) Collaboration improves care…

In this episode of BLMK Health Conversation On... we are looking at the use of shared healthcare records to improve the efficiency and quality of patient care. We take a look at the benefits of making medical data available, and discuss how the future of the healthcare system could be shaped by the rollout of shared records. Host Felicity Cox is joined by some very special guests: Mark Thomas is the Chief Digital and Information Officer. He has held senior roles in both health and social care over the last 22 years and leads on integration. Dr Paul Singer, Luton GP, is the Chief Clinical Information Officer for the BLMK Integrated Care System Dr Sarah Whiteman, Chief Medical Director for the BLMK Health and Care Partnership is also a GP. Sarah has previously worked with NHS England & Improvement, the General Medical Council and Health Education England. Usha Panchal is the Clinical Pharmacist and Complex Paediatric Lead, BLMK ICB. Usha leads on a ground-breaking pilot called Patients Know Best which makes life easier for children living with complex epilepsy. I’m delighted to say the Usha and the team have been shortlisted for two awards for their pioneering work. Claire Ring is the parent of Lily, and they have been participant of the Patients Know Best pilot and we’ll hear more about how that has benefitted Claire, Lily, and the rest of their family a little later in the podcast. Here are the highlights: (01:58) The pandemic highlighted a need for shared records (06:37) Making a huge difference to how patients are treated (11:01) The great strain on social care (13:50) Lily’s story – how PKB works with epillepsy (20:24) PKB makes life easier (23:37) Using shared records in hospices (27:40) Every service can benefit…

In this episode of BLMK Health Conversation On... we are looking at how new technology and digital innovations can improve healthcare services. From yellow wristbands to blue boxes , this episode focuses on two recent innovations and how they are transforming and enhancing patient care. Host Felicity Cox is joined by two very special guests: Kerri Trudgill - Deputy Manager, Elcombe House Care Home, Bedford James Dawson - Digitisation Project Manager, Central Bedfordshire Council If you’re interested in Whizan, or you have any thoughts or feedback on the topics discussed in this podcast, you can email blmkccg.communications@nhs.net Here are the highlights: (02:26) The impact of new technology in care homes (04:47) Helping patients to faster, better treatment (07:17) The Data Protection Toolkit (10:36) How yellow bracelets are transforming healthcare (13:08) Using tech to overcome the challenges of Covid (15:12) The rollout plan…

In this episode of BLMK Health Conversation On... we are looking at some of the big considerations as we enter the winter months, discussing all the good work we are doing to prepare for winter given the pressure the NHS is under, and what advice we can give to people. Host Felicity Cox is joined by two very special guests: Dr Tayo Kufeji – a local GP at Newport Pagnell Medical Centre, Clinical Director, The Bridge PCN MK and Director of Clinical Transformation (MK). Kate Walker, Director of Adults’ Services at Bedford Borough Council Here are the highlights: {4:00} Fears around Covid create higher needs {10:30} Covid’s impact on primary care {16:00} The mental health impact on NHS and support staff {22:00} It’s easier to give advice than to take it {29:00} Supporting safety to maintain high standards during Winter…

In the first episode of the BLMK Health Conversations podcast, we are celebrating Black History Month and discussing how we engage with the broad cultural landscape in our area. We also look at what we can do to tackle health inequalities both regionally and nationally. Joining the podcast to discuss these issues are three special guests: Rev. Lloyd Denny is a church pastor who is also supporting a review of the inequalities in our health system. Kathy Nelson, head of the cancer network for Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes. Shae Eccleston, a creative consultant, author and corporate trainer specializing in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Here are the highlights: {3:34} Reflecting the community in healthcare {9:20} Inequality entrenched in minority communities {17:32} Breaking down barriers in accessing healthcare {27:51} The inequality review {37:09} Final thoughts to employers and service providers…

Welcome to the BLMK UK Health Conversation Podcast. This show is for anyone interested in the changes that are happening in health and social care, and how services are joining up to help people live long and healthy lives across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. This podcast is also about the prevention and general wellbeing as well as heath, and we'll be joined by passionate guests discussing big issues, from how we're preparing for Winter to mental health and everything in between! So join the conversation, listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts, and share with your friends and family.…