The King's Fund podcast: Big ideas in health and care

Posted:Thursday 30 July 2020

A podcast about big ideas in health and care. We talk with experts from The King’s Fund and beyond about the NHS, social care, and all things health policy and leadership. New episodes monthly.

Listen to our latest episode

Discover past episodes

Can the NHS be a truly flexible workplace?

Can the NHS be a truly flexible workplace?

Helen McKenna sits down with Kate Jarman, Director of communications and corporate affairs at Milton Keynes University Hospital and co-founder of Flex NHS to discuss what working flexibly means in practice, communicating during Covid-19 and activism in the health service.

Podcast episode with Marvin Rees

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol: the role of cities and place in shaping health

Helen McKenna sits down with Marvin Rees, the Mayor of Bristol, to explore his approach to place-based leadership, the NHS’s role as a ‘place-shaper’ and the city’s experience of Covid-19.

Professor Dame Elizabeth Anionwu: nursing, resilience and building statues

Professor Dame Elizabeth Anionwu: nursing, resilience and building statues

Professor Dame Elizabeth Anionwu sits down with host Helen McKenna to talk about what drew her to nursing, becoming the first Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia nurse specialist in the UK, and how to remain positive in the face of adversity.

An image showing a magnifying glass hovering over some data, a representation of the Covid-19 virus, and two clinicians wearing face masks.

Professor Kevin Fenton on the lessons that must be learnt from Covid-19

Anna Charles sat down with Professor Kevin Fenton to learn more about the findings of Public Health England's review of disparities in risks and outcomes of Covid-19, his career journey, and his hopes for health and wellbeing in London.

Covid-19, racism and the roots of health inequality

Covid-19, racism and the roots of health inequality

How is Covid-19 repeating patterns of existing health inequalities? What factors are driving the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on the health of ethnic minority populations? Helen McKenna sits down with Natalie Creary from Black Thrive and James Nazroo from the University of Manchester.

Volunteering during Covid-19: human connection in a global pandemic

Volunteering during Covid-19: human connection in a global pandemic

Anna Charles sat down with Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Voluntary Service, to find out about volunteering during Covid-19, the NHS Volunteer Responders scheme and how we can ensure that widespread community engagement can last beyond the current crisis and into the long term.

Jeeves Wijesuriya podcast

From contract disputes to Covid-19: tales from a junior doctor

What’s it like for clinicians working through the Covid-19 pandemic? And what really happened during the junior doctor dispute in 2015? Anna Charles talks with Dr Jeeves Wijesuriya, GP trainee and former chair of the BMA Junior Doctors Committee.

What can the first 100 days tell us about the new government?

What can the first 100 days tell us about the new government?

On 10 March, Helen McKenna sat down with three experts guests to explore what the first 100 days can tell us about the government’s intentions for health and care, as well as how - in this new political environment - organisations can influence and affect change.

Prison health: what happens inside and outside the walls?

Prison health: what happens inside and outside the walls?

Does living in prison lead to worse health? And how could prisons be an opportunity to address serious health inequalities? Anna Charles explores the health and wellbeing of people living in prison, their access to health and care services, and what happens on release. She’s joined by Dr Jake Hard, Christina Marriott, Chantal Edge, and Kate Morrissey.

The obligation to dissent: Richard Murray on making an impact on health and care

The obligation to dissent: Richard Murray on making an impact on health and care

What is it like being the Chief Executive of The King’s Fund? Helen McKenna spoke with Richard Murray about his first year in the job, our new strategy and his vision for the health and care system.

Professor David Williams on racism, discrimination and the impact it has on health

Professor David Williams on racism, discrimination and the impact they have on health

How do our life experiences shape our health? What can we do to tackle social inequalities? Helen McKenna spoke with Professor David Williams from Harvard University about his research into the social influences on health.

2019 rosette

General election 2019: taking the pulse on health and care

What are the main parties saying about health and social care in the general election debate? What comes next in delivering their manifesto pledges? Helen McKenna sits down with Sally Warren, Siva Anandaciva and Dave Buck from The King’s Fund.

Impatient for change: Prerana Issar on leadership and the NHS workforce

Impatient for change: Prerana Issar on leadership and the NHS workforce

What’s the scale of the challenge currently facing the NHS workforce? Prerana Issar sits down with Helen McKenna to discuss the NHS People Plan and her career journey.

On the frontline: policing and mental health

On the front line: policing and mental health

What role do the police play in responding to people in mental health crisis? Helen McKenna talks to Chief Constable Mark Collins, National Police Chief’s Council Lead for Mental Health, Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of the Centre for Mental Health and Marsha McAdam, an expert by experience and Co-Chair of the Greater Manchester Personality Disorder Strategy Group.

Dame Donna Kinnair

The core of care: Dame Donna Kinnair on bravery in leadership and the nursing workforce

How can we address the nursing workforce crisis? Dame Donna Kinnair, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, sits down with Helen McKenna to talk about nursing, workforce pressures and leadership.

How do you solve a problem like social care funding?

How do you solve a problem like social care funding?

Social care funding reform is firmly back on the political agenda. Helen McKenna speaks with Sir Andrew Dilnot, Emily Holzhausen and Sally Warren, about why reform has proved so challenging for successive governments.

Dr Partha Kar: superheroes, diabetes and the secret to a happy workforce

Dr Partha Kar: superheroes, diabetes and the secret to a happy workforce

Where are we with diabetes prevention and treatment in England? Helen McKenna sits down with Dr Partha Kar, Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, to talk about progress so far, the NHS workforce, and his leadership journey.

To the moon and back: Don Berwick on politics, leadership and NASA

To the moon and back: Don Berwick on politics, leadership and learning from NASA

Guest host Anna Charles sits down with Professor Don Berwick, President Emeritus at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, to explore his career, the relationship between politics and health, and how to create joy in work.

A miracle cure? Exploring a public health approach to serious youth violence

The miracle cure? Exploring a public health approach to serious youth violence

What’s the best way to tackle serious youth violence such as knife crime? What does a public health approach look like and does it work? Helen McKenna sits down with Karyn McCluskey, who pioneered this approach in Glasgow, and Martin Griffiths, Vascular/ Trauma Surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust.

Professor Dame Sally Davies: public health, Brexit, and breaking barriers

Professor Dame Sally Davies: public health, Brexit, and breaking barriers

Who is responsible for our health and wellbeing? Helen McKenna talks with Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England, about public health, her career, and the challenges of being a female clinical leader.

Race equality in the NHS workforce

Race equality in the NHS workforce

What can be done about race inequality in the NHS workforce? How can we ensure representative leadership happens? Helen McKenna talks with Yvonne Coghill, Dionne Daniel and Ben Morrin.

Poppy Jaman OBE, mental health and leadership podcast

Working 9 to 5: Poppy Jaman on mental health and the work–life balance

What should employers be doing to keep us well? And what language should we use when we talk about mental health? Poppy Jaman OBE, Chief Executive of City Mental Health Alliance, chats with Helen McKenna about mental health in the workplace, and shares her advice for future leaders.

Professor Sir Chris Ham: longer lives, proudest moments and reaching basecamp

Professor Sir Chris Ham: longer lives, proudest moments and reaching base camp

A podcast about big ideas in health and care. Episode eight. Is the NHS inherently political? What are the biggest changes in health in the past 40 years? Helen McKenna talks with Professor Sir Chris Ham about his career so far, health policy and what makes a good leader.

Putting the inspector to the test: Quality ratings and the CQC

Putting the inspector to the test: quality ratings and the CQC

A podcast about big ideas in health and care. Episode seven: how good is care in the NHS and social care system? What does a hospital inspection actually look like? Helen McKenna talks with Chris Day, Ruth Robertson and Simon Bottery.

Victor Adebowale: leadership, inequality and diversity in the NHS

In conversation with Lord Victor Adebowale: leadership, inequality and diversity in the NHS

A podcast about big ideas in health and care. Episode six. In conversation with Lord Victor Adebowale: leadership, inequality and diversity in the NHS.

Healthy places podcast

Healthy places: the link between your health and where you live

A podcast about big ideas in health and care. Episode five: what’s the relationship between your health and where you live? Helen McKenna talks with Kate Ardern, André Pinto and Chris Naylor.

The NHS at 70: blow out the candles and make a wish

The NHS at 70: blow out the candles and make a wish

A podcast about big ideas in health and care. Episode four: as the NHS turns 70, what state is it in? What will it look like in another 70 years? Helen McKenna talks about how the NHS is changing with Don Berwick, Ceinwen Giles and Siva Anandaciva.

Mind the gap: women and leadership in the NHS

Mind the gap: women and leadership in the NHS

A podcast about big ideas in health and care. Episode three: is there a glass ceiling for women in health and care? Helen McKenna talks about leadership and gender in the NHS with Jane Dacre, Anne-Marie Archard, Sam Jones and Deborah Ward.

Trolleys and targets: a never-ending winter for hospitals

Trolleys and targets: a never-ending winter for hospitals?

A podcast about big ideas in health and care. Episode two: Does winter ever end for the NHS these days? Helen McKenna talks about winter pressures in A&E with Siva Anandaciva and Matthew Kershaw.

The NHS: are you satisfied with your health service?

The NHS: are you satisfied with your health service?

A podcast about big ideas in health and care. Episode one: Do we expect too much – or too little – from the NHS? Should taxes increase to fix its problems? Helen McKenna talks about public satisfaction with the NHS with Ruth Robertson and Dan Wellings.