Health On The Line

In this episode of Health on the Line, host Adam Brimelow speaks to Professor Sir Simon Wessely, vice-chair of the independent review into the prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, and Rebecca Gray, director of the NHS Alliance’s Mental Health Network.

Together they explore the review’s key findings, including rising mental distress among young people, the risk of overdiagnosis and the case for a needs-led approach that provides meaningful support while people wait for a formal diagnosis. They also discuss how early intervention, stronger community programmes and more integrated services could help reshape mental health care.

In the second part of the episode, we look at the future of NHS vaccination commissioning as ICBs prepare to take on greater responsibility, as part of a discussion sponsored by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)*.

Joining Adam are Professor Nilesh Sanganee, chief medical officer of NHS Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire ICB cluster, and Conor Price, chief executive across Community Pharmacy London, Community Pharmacy Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and Community Pharmacy Arden.

Together they discuss improving seasonal vaccination uptake, tackling health inequalities and how the NHS can reach underserved communities.

They also look at how improved data sharing and closer collaboration between ICBs, GPs and community pharmacies could strengthen prevention and reduce pressure on NHS services.

*The APBI has had no editorial control over the content of the podcast.

Health on the Line is an NHS Alliance podcast produced by Health Comms Plus.

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How can the NHS improve productivity, reduce pressure on services and deliver better patient care? And what can NHS leaders learn from the Thirlwall Inquiry into the deaths of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital?

In this episode of Health on the Line, Adam Brimelow explores NHS productivity with Anita Charlesworth, senior economic adviser at the Health Foundation, and Professor Andy Hardy, chief executive of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

They discuss Anita’s report for the NHS Productivity Commission, which proposes ways to unlock technology, empower NHS staff and increase capital investment with the potential to deliver £33 billion in annual savings and improve health outcomes.

The episode also examines the Thirlwall Inquiry, which investigated failings surrounding the deaths of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The NHS Alliance’s chief executive Sir Ciarán Devane discusses what the inquiry means for NHS leadership, patient safety, accountability and safeguarding, and how NHS organisations can create cultures where staff feel confident to raise concerns.

Health on the Line is an NHS Alliance podcast, produced by Health Comms Plus.

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What will it take to make neighbourhood health a reality with no new money to achieve it, and why are ethnic minority leaders still leaving the NHS? 

In this latest episode of Health on the Line, Ruth Rankine, director of the NHS Alliance’s Primary Care Network, joins us to explore the practical challenges of shifting care from hospital to the community.

The conversation explores how things from funding and contracts to culture, complexity and local decision-making will impact implementation of this key shift.  

We also hear from Lord Victor Adebowale and Sandra Buchan to discuss a new NHS Alliance report revealing the scale of racism, exclusion and inequity experienced by ethnic minority staff in the NHS. The duo examine how and why leaders need to take ownership of the inequality experienced by both staff and patients. 

Here you can learn more about the Tackling Inequalities Leadership Programme referenced in this episode and find out details about the Diversity in Health and Care Partners Programme.

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

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Could government proposals on zero-hours contracts spell trouble for the NHS? Is there a way to strike a workable balance between workers’ rights, operational flexibility and patient care?  

Adam Brimelow is joined by Ben Morrin, chief executive of NHS Employers, and Hoa Ngo, the incoming chief executive officer of NHS Professionals, to discuss the implications of the proposed changes on the service. 

And Rebecca Gray, director of the NHS Alliance’s Mental Health Network, speaks to Adam about the rising demand for NHS ADHD and autism assessments, the challenges faced by healthcare providers and potential solutions, including national standards and broader systemic reforms.  

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Integrated primary care remains a critical focus for improving NHS patient outcomes. But how do we effectively bridge the gaps that often exist in traditional models? In this episode, Dr Duncan Gooch and Jim Austin, two senior leaders in Derbyshire health and care, discuss the success of the Team Up initiative, exploring how integrated care models can improve patient outcomes, reduce hospital admissions and foster strong partnerships across health and care sectors. 

And the urgency for social care reform is clear – following Prime Minister Andy Burnham's speech outlining his commitment to the sector, it seems to be moving to the top of the government’s agenda. But with less than three years until the next general election and a history of failed attempts, the stakes are high. Will it be different this time? To discuss the challenges ahead, Adam is joined by Natasha Curry, deputy director of policy at the Nuffield Trust and Shane Devlin, chief executive of NHS Gloucestershire ICB and NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB cluster.   

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The two big questions of the moment: can the NHS handle future heatwaves and will Andy Burnham’s premiership spell positive change for the service?  

In this episode of Health on the Line, Adam Brimelow dives into the significant shifts in health leadership under prime minister Andy Burnham. With Yvette Cooper stepping in as the new secretary of state, Burnham is set on a transformative agenda for health and social care.  But can he deliver? To find out, Adam’s joined by Mark Fisher, former chief executive of Greater Manchester ICB and Jane Merrick, policy editor at The i newspaper.  

And the NHS is feeling it this summer with heatwaves putting enormous pressure on services. It’s clear that proactive summer and heatwave planning are crucial for healthcare systems – so, as our summers continue getting hotter, how can the NHS get it right? To explore the challenges, Adam caught up with Matthew Hopkins, Acute and Ambulance Network director at the NHS Alliance and Dr John Martin, chief executive at South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.  

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Content warning: this episode contains references to suicide.  

In the fast-evolving landscape of health and care, effective leadership is paramount. In this episode, Adam Brimelow is joined by Ed Smith, chair of the NHS College of Leadership and Management, who shares invaluable insights into why leadership is crucial for the NHS and how the newly formed college aims to enhance leadership capabilities across the sector. 

And in the realm of mental health, ensuring that patients have a voice in their treatment is crucial. This is where the plan for advanced choice documents (ACDs) come into play. Adam catches up with Sarah Holloway, chief executive of The Maudsley Charity, and Steve Gilbert OBE, lived experience consultant and chair of the Mental Health Advisory Group of the NHS Race and Health Observatory to explore what ACDs are, their significance in mental health care, and how they are poised to make a difference, especially for marginalised communities. 

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As the foundation trust model faces proposed changes, many are concerned about how to retain accountability and local democracy in health and care. The suggested shift to more centralised control by the Secretary of State raises questions about autonomy and the future of local decision-making.  It’s a big change that could affect how care is delivered and who gets to make those critical decisions. Are we sacrificing local input for a more controlled system? 

In this episode, Adam’s joined by Rebecca Hainsworth, Partner at Browne Jacobson and Ken Jarrold, former chair of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust Council of Governors and Board of Directors, to discuss the Health Bill and the impact that reduced autonomy could have on local governance and quality of care.  

Plus, Adam catches up with new NHS Employers CEO Ben Morrin to find out what he'll be focusing on at a crucial moment for the NHS workforce.  

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With the health bill moving through parliament and the end of NHS England ever-looming, how realistic is a smooth transition - and can it really be done by next April? And is a single patient record going to be possible for the NHS, or are there too many pitfalls in its path?

In this special edition of Health on the Line, health minister Karin Smyth MP joins host Adam Brimelow for a one-on-one chat to explore the biggest jobs on her docket over the next year - one that’ll be pivotal for health and care.

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