Only Human After All

Jodie Ward never planned to become a nurse. She joined the hospital as a hostess, delivering meals to patients — until one day, she overheard a nurse calming a distressed family and thought, “I want to do that.”

In this heartwarming episode, Jodie takes us on her extraordinary journey from dinner trolley to children’s ward rising through the ranks as a single parent, becoming one of our first paediatric nursing associates and finally qualifying as a registered children’s nurse.

She talks with humour and honesty about bringing joy into dark situations, why she decorates the ward with eight Christmas trees, the power of play, glitter, and sick bowls worn as hats and the people who believed in her when she almost gave up.

It’s a story of compassion, creativity, and courage — and proof that sometimes, the best nurses are the ones who never saw it coming.

In this inspiring episode of Only Human After All, we meet Dr Neelakshi "Neela" Armugam – Radiology Registrar, newly appointed Chief Registrar and all-round warm and wise presence at Sherwood Forest Hospitals. Neela shares her fascinating journey from a Mauritian family of nurses to becoming a doctor in a specialty she clearly loves. She opens up about her hopes for junior (or rather, “resident”) doctors, the importance of being seen and valued, and the power of food, gardening, and cake to build belonging.

In this inspiring episode, we meet Nicki Williams, a passionate and compassionate arrhythmia nurse specialist who opens up about her journey through cardiology, patient advocacy and life as a mum navigating serious health challenges at home. From supporting patients with complex heart rhythms and life-limiting conditions to her powerful volunteer work with POTS UK including a recent visit to Parliament, Nicki shares how listening, educating and empowering are at the heart of everything she does.

We explore how she turned early career rejection into a thriving vocation, why she’s aiming for a PhD and how her experiences as a parent of a child with life-threatening allergies have deepened her commitment to patient-centred care. It’s a conversation full of warmth, wisdom and a few chickens—don’t miss it.

In this episode of Only Human After All, we meet Amanda Barrett, a nurse by background who now leads major improvement projects across diagnostics.

Amanda talks about her personal journey from ward leadership into project management, and how her nursing identity continues to shape her work. She gives a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the new Community Diagnostic Centre in Mansfield, a project that will deliver faster and more accessible tests in a welcoming community setting. Amanda shares the complexities of designing a new healthcare facility from scratch, her passion for patient-centred improvement, and the emotional moments that stay with her from her clinical career.

The conversation also touches on her pride in seeing her daughter become a children’s nurse, and the value of following your own path in healthcare. This is a thoughtful and inspiring episode about legacy, leadership, and never losing sight of the patient.

This week on Only Human After All, we meet Tom Palmer—an NHS financial controller with a surprising story.

Tom shares how a love of maths and a leap into a finance apprenticeship led him into a decade-long NHS career. Along the way, he’s learned that good financial leadership isn’t about saying no—it’s about working alongside clinical teams to enable better care.

He opens up about being an introvert in a collaborative world, overcoming a childhood stammer, and finding pride in helping turn spreadsheets into scanners and ideas into impact. This is a warm, honest conversation about values, self-belief, and the quiet power of doing your job with integrity

In this episode, we meet Janine Foxhall, the Associate Director of Operations for Urgent and Emergency Care. Join us as we explore Janine's journey from studying languages to an unexpected career in the police force and her vital role in ensuring smooth patient flow through the hospital.

Discover the intricate balance Janine and her team maintain, coordinating with various partners to facilitate efficient patient discharge, while prioritizing their well-being and personal needs. Janine shares her insights on the human element of healthcare, emphasizing the significance of understanding individual stories and maintaining seamless communication within the hospital environment.

From her language immersion in France to her diverse experiences with international police forces, Janine's narrative offers a compelling look at the unexpected paths life can take. Tune in to hear more about the fascinating journey of someone who combines passion with purpose in the world of healthcare, illustrating that at the core, we're all only human after all.

In this episode, hosts James Thomas and Andrea Clegg sit down with Laura Fisher, Head of Operational Change for the Digital Electronic Patient Records Programme at Sherwood Forest Hospitals.

Laura’s story is one of transformation — both personal and organisational. Starting out as an Operating Department Practitioner, she now plays a key role in leading the trust through one of its biggest shifts: the move from paper to digital. But behind the systems and strategy is a story about people — about bringing staff with you, overcoming doubt, and making change feel possible.

This is an honest conversation about the challenges of digitalisation in the NHS, the resistance that often comes with it, and why empathy and communication matter just as much as technology. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to make progress in healthcare — this episode is for you.

In this episode of "Only Human After All," hosts James Thomas and Andrea Clegg delve into the inspiring journey of Liz Franklin, a hospital chaplain who enriches lives at Sherwood Forest Hospitals. Discover how Liz transitioned from a career in social work and mental health to becoming ordained in the Church of England.

Through candid conversations, Liz shares her unique path to chaplaincy, highlighting the integral role of spirituality and holistic care in supporting patients and staff. Her story sheds light on the joys and challenges of being a chaplain in a hospital environment, emphasizing the importance of empathy, resilience, and connection.

Join us as we explore how faith and personal experiences shape the way Liz touches lives and learn about the profound impact of seeing the person beyond the patient, reminding us that in healthcare, everyone is "only human after all."

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In this episode of Only Human After All, hosts James Thomas and Andrea Clegg sit down with John Tansley, the Clinical Director for Patient Safety—a man on a mission to transform how hospitals approach safety. John shares his journey from anaesthetist to patient safety specialist, revealing how his passion for systems thinking and problem-solving led him to step away from direct clinical care and into a role that reshapes how hospitals learn and improve.

He challenges the old blame culture and champions a more systemic, forward-thinking approach. With candid reflections on the emotional shifts of leaving frontline medicine, John highlights the profound impact of fostering a just culture—one where learning from successes is just as valuable as examining mistakes. 

At its heart, this episode is a reminder that healthcare is built on human effort—imperfect, fallible, and deeply committed. John explores why true patient safety isn’t about eliminating error entirely but about creating an environment where people can acknowledge mistakes, learn from them, and ultimately provide safer, better care.

In this episode of Only Human After All, hosts James Thomas and Andrea Clegg sit down with Andros, a Mexican-born Communications Officer at Sherwood Forest Hospitals.

Andros shares his inspiring journey from Cancun to the UK, offering insight into the power of storytelling in healthcare. Passionate about bridging generational and cultural gaps, he reveals how creativity and effective communication can transform patient experiences and workplace culture.

This uplifting conversation sheds light on the often-unseen roles that keep the NHS running and the importance of embracing diversity in healthcare. Don’t miss this inspiring story of ambition, resilience, and making a difference.