For this episode of Health on the Line, recorded live at NHS ConfedExpo 2025, we’re exploring all things comms and engagement within the NHS.  

Our communications director Daniel Reynolds leads the discussion and is joined by three communications executives with deep experience in the sector: Edna Boampong, Ranjeet Kaile and Rory Hegarty.  

The lively discussion covers everything from challenges facing comms professionals in the sector: whether the profession has a ‘branding’ problem; diversity in the NHS; and harnessing the power of AI.  

• Edna Boampong is director of communications and engagement at Liverpool City Council. 

• Ranjeet Kaile is executive director of communications, public affairs and stakeholder engagement at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and South East London ICB.  

• Rory Hegarty is executive director of communications and involvement at North West London ICB. 

Health on the Line is an NHS Confederation podcast, produced by HealthCommsPlus

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In this special episode of Health on the Line, recorded live from NHS ConfedExpo 2025, host Matthew Taylor is joined by Channel 4’s Victoria Macdonald and The Sunday Times’ Shaun Lintern to reflect on two packed days of debate, insight, and networking. With almost 7,000 delegates and over 150 sessions, the trio discuss their key takeaways from the conference—including health secretary Wes Streeting’s speech, Jim Mackey’s leadership style at NHS England, and the emerging contours of the government’s ten-year health plan.

Health on the Line is an NHS Confederation podcast, produced by HealthCommsPlus.

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Ahead of NHS ConfedExpo 2025, Matthew Taylor caught up with the new Chief Executive of NHS England, Sir Jim Mackey, for a wide-ranging discussion touching on the challenges facing the health system, the 10 year health plan, navigating politics and developing leadership across the NHS.

Plus, our Leader in Six with Lorraine Mattis, Chief Executive of University of Suffolk Dental CIC.

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FEED SWAP. Our Leading Improvement in Health and Care podcast is back for a second series. To give you a flavour of the show, we're putting out episode one on our Health on the Line stream.

In this episode we’re exploring how to mobilise change effectively within and between organisations, particularly in relation to the government’s forthcoming Ten Year Plan for the NHS.

With unique insights into how effective change has been implemented, core principles to apply and how to approach these in relation to the Ten Year Plan, we’re joined by Dr. Gary Howsam, Chief Clinical Improvement Officer NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB and Annie Williamson, research fellow in health and care at the IPPR.

For more information on out Learning and Improving Across Systems Peer Learning Programme, please visit: https://www.nhsconfed.org/learning-improving-systems/peer-learning.

NEXT WEEK SIR JIM MACKEY - INTERVIEW WITH NHS ENGLAND CEO. He talks to Matthew Taylor ahead of Confed Expo 2025.

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The budget cuts to integrated care boards and their impact are a shock to many across the health care system, but also an opportunity for leaders to implement changes in the fundamental structures of primary and secondary care. Could this be the moment to make the investment shift to primary and community services?

To discuss the potential and pitfalls, Matthew is joined by Rory Deighton, director of the NHS Confederation’s acute network, and Ruth Rankine, director of our primary care network.

Our Leader In Six segment is with Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers.

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With the recent release of the ICB operating model blueprint, Matthew discusses the future for how ICBs may operate in the face of the 50 per cent cut in operating costs. 

Crucial to the future success of ICBs will be the importance of working with local government and the need for strategic commissioning. 

Joining Matthew on the podcast are two ICB leaders who were part of the working group that helped develop the blueprint: David Melbourne, chief executive of Birmingham and Solihull ICB, and Jan Thomas, chief executive of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB.

This week's Leader in Six interview is with Kate Shields, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB chief executive.

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On the eve of our Care Closer to Home conference, we explore the urgent need to shift healthcare from hospitals to primary and community settings. Despite decades of ambition, acute priorities still dominate. In this episode we hear from Birmingham and Solihull ICB on the shifts they’ve been making in this area. 

Joining Matthew in the conversation is Paul Sherriff, executive director of Birmingham and Solihull ICB; Richard Kirby, chief executive of Birmingham Community Healthcare and Ruth Rankine, Director of the NHS Confederations Primary Care Network.

Plus, our Leader in Six with Helen Ray, outgoing chief executive of North East Ambulance Service. 

And read more in the following publications:

Beyond the waiting room: reimagining primary care for the next decade | NHS Confederation

The future of primary care | NHS Confederation

Find out more about becoming part of our primary care network here.

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Public satisfaction with the NHS is at an all-time low according to the latest data, but what can be done in the short term to improve matters while NHS leaders try to make long-term change? Rachel Power of the Patients Association* and Leonora Merry of the Nuffield Trust delve into the data with Matthew Taylor and suggest what can be done. 

This episode’s Leader in Six is with Steve Williamson, chief executive of Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.

*The Patients Association's free helpline provides specialist information and guidance across all four UK nations to help service users make sense of health and social care. Call 0800 345 7115 weekdays 9:30am – 5:00pm, or email [email protected]

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Matthew’s joined by Richard Sloggett, founder and programme director at Future Health, for a deep dive into the significant recent changes in NHS leadership. The discussion highlights the evolving dynamics between NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, the challenges posed by financial constraints and the importance of local leadership in implementing change.  

Plus, a Leader in Six with Sarah Coltman-Lovell, York NHS place director.  

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