Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive of NHS Providers, recently visited several trusts across the North East and North Cumbria to see collaboration in action.

From innovation on the ground to the challenges and opportunities ahead, Daniel shares his perspective on how working together can strengthen the NHS and deliver better care for patients.

In this episode, we explore what he learned from his trip, the role of Provider Collaboratives, and how the NHS 10-year plan will shape the future of healthcare.

Emma Davidson, Strategic Manager, and Lorna Dawson, Health Literacy Specialist, are leading efforts to improve how people understand and use health information across the North East and North Cumbria.

Through the Health Literacy Programme, they’re helping NHS staff communicate more clearly, reduce health inequalities and empower patients to make informed decisions about their care.

In this episode, we uncover the impact of this work and why health literacy is essential for better outcomes across the NHS.

Katie Joyce, Medicines Value Programme Lead, and Laura Tweddle, Senior Clinical Pharmacy Manager at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, are leading efforts to improve how medicines are used across the North East and North Cumbria.

Through the Medicines Value Programme, they are helping NHS Foundation Trusts work together to manage rising costs, make smarter decisions and deliver better care for patients.

This episode of the NENC Providers Podcast highlights how innovation and collaboration are driving meaningful change across our region.

Deborah Gibson, Lead Nurse Endoscopist at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, helped shape the new Endoscopy Unit at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.

In this episode of the NENC Providers Podcast, Deborah shares her journey in nursing and explains how the new unit is improving care. She talks about the procedures carried out, the benefits of lead-lined rooms and how the space supports staff and patients.

The unit is helping reduce waiting times and making it easier for patients to get care closer to home. Deborah also discusses early feedback, national targets and new training opportunities.

This episode highlights how modern NHS facilities are making a real difference in our region.

Marc Sutton is the Managing Director of the new Medicines Manufacturing Centre (MMC), which is being built in Seaton Delaval.

In this episode of the NENC Providers Podcast, Marc talks about his career and how he came to lead the MMC. He explains what the centre will do, how it will help patients and why it’s important for the North East and North Cumbria.

The MMC will make large amounts of chemotherapy and other injectable medicines. These will be ready to use, helping hospitals save time and improve care. Marc also talks about new jobs being created and how the centre will support training for local people.

This episode gives a clear look at how the NHS is working together to bring new ideas and better services to our region.

Ken Bremner MBE is Chair of the North East and North Cumbria Provider Collaborative and Chief Executive of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

In this episode of the NENC Providers Podcast, Ken reflects on a year of progress across the region’s NHS services and looks ahead at the collaborative’s priorities for 2025 and beyond.

Ken shares insights into the Provider Collaborative’s standout achievements — from the opening of new Community Diagnostic Centres to national-leading elective care performance — and discusses how partnership working is transforming patient care across the North East and North Cumbria.

He also explores the impact of the new Medicines Manufacturing Centre, the importance of collective leadership and the vision for sustainable, high-quality hospital services shaped by clinical leaders and communities alike.

Helen Ray is the Chief Executive of the North East Ambulance Service and a long-standing leader in the NHS.

As she prepares for retirement, Helen joins the NENC Providers Podcast to reflect on her career, her leadership journey and the future of collaborative healthcare in the region.

In this episode, Helen shares what first inspired her to join the NHS, the defining moments of her leadership and what she’s most proud of during her time at NEAS.

She also discusses the evolution of the North East and North Cumbria Provider Collaborative, the power of partnership across services and her hopes for the next generation of NHS leaders.

Naail Al Zuhir is a Consultant Radiologist and Clare Moody is the Lead Research Radiographer at The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

They are part of the North East and North Cumbria Imaging Academy, a regional initiative supported by the Provider Collaborative to enhance radiology training and research across the region.

On this episode of the NENC Providers Podcast, Naail and Clare discuss how the Imaging Academy is helping to improve radiology services for both patients and staff.

They also share insights into some of the academy’s key projects, the benefits of regional collaboration, and how the academy is contributing to innovation and learning across the NHS.

Rachel O’Donnell and Michelle Russell are Consultant Gynaecologists at The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

They are part of a regional NHS gynaecology network that shares best practice across the North East and North Cumbria.

On this episode of NENC Providers Podcast, Rachel and Michelle discuss how the network benefits patients, staff and the NHS in general.

They also talk about a successful Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) visit to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

The GIRFT programme is designed to improve the treatment and care of patients through in-depth review of services.

The NENC Diagnostic Imaging Network has been set up to help transform and address some of the challenges that the region's imaging services face.

The network is a collaboration of all the eight acute Foundation Trusts in the region and work alongside partners such as Northern Cancer Alliance and Primary Care.

Over the last year, the network has achieved major milestones. This includes leading on the national roll out of a new AI solution to help diagnose lung cancer quicker.

Listen to the networks Clinical Lead, Ann Anstee and Programme Manager, Laura Berry discuss this further.