In this episode ahead of White Ribbon Day 2025, we sit down with Nathan King, Domestic Abuse Health Advocate, from South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT).

From quick-fire questions to deep insights, Nathan shares his journey into healthcare, the role of safeguarding in NHS settings, and how STSFT is taking action to end violence against women.

Learn what it means to be a White Ribbon-accredited organisation, how staff are engaging with the campaign, and why men play a crucial role in creating change.

🎧 Topics covered:

• What is White Ribbon UK and why it matters
• Domestic abuse advocacy in healthcare
• Common myths about abuse and how to challenge them
• How STSFT is promoting open conversations and staff training
• Ways to get involved ahead of White Ribbon Day on November 25th

Whether you're a healthcare professional, a member of the public, or someone seeking support, this episode offers education, inspiration, and practical ways to make a difference.

🔗 Listen now and join the movement to end gender-based violence.

Learn more: www.whiteribbon.org.uk

Our People Podcast: Martha’s Rule Live Special

In this special live episode of Our People Podcast, recorded at the Patient Safety and Safeguarding Conference 2025 as part of Safetember, we shine a spotlight on Martha’s Rule - a vital initiative putting patient and family voices at the heart of care.

Discover expert insights from Phillip O'Donnell, Consultant in Emergency Medicine & Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine, and Lisa Hobbs, Martha’s Rule Project Lead.

You’ll also hear from a panel of dedicated NHS staff sharing real-world experiences of implementing Martha’s Rule in clinical practice—plus a live audience Q&A session.

Named after 13-year-old Martha Mills, who tragically died of sepsis after her family’s concerns weren’t acted upon, Martha’s Rule aims to prevent avoidable harm by promoting early recognition and response to patient deterioration.

🔗 Learn more: www.stsft.nhs.uk/services/marthasrule

It’s Cataract Awareness Month! We’re throwing it back to an episode of the Our People Podcast, featuring Lynn Bates, Cataract Treatment Centre Manager at Sunderland Eye Infirmary.

Lynn walks us through the journey a patient takes when coming to us for cataract treatment.

👉 Listen to the full episode on YouTube and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from across our Trust.

The Check Up: Looking After Your Mental Health | Expert NHS Advice in less than 10 Minutes

Welcome to The Check Up, a new series of 10-minute, bite-sized episodes where we bring you expert advice, top tips, and valuable insights from various departments at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust to help you stay healthy and informed.

In this episode, we’re joined by Carl Sketchley, Clinical Lead for Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services at STSFT. Carl shares his top tips for looking after your mental health.

🎧 Tune in and take a check up for your mental health.

👉 Explore our STSFT Mental Health Services across Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead: www.stsftmentalhealth.nhs.uk

In this special episode, part of Dying Matters Week, we sit down with Joanna and Joy, two end-of-life facilitators at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT).

Together, they share their insights, experiences, and expert advice on how to navigate the difficult conversations surrounding death with care and understanding.

Joanna and Joy explore the importance of initiating open dialogues about end-of-life planning, addressing the emotional challenges faced by families, and providing guidance to those supporting loved ones through the final stages of life.

Staff Recognition Awards 2025 | South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust 🎉

On Friday 4th April 2025, we proudly hosted our third annual Staff Recognition Awards at the Beacon of Light in Sunderland – and this year’s event was bigger and better than ever!

Join us as we celebrate the incredible dedication, compassion, and achievements of our amazing staff across South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

Meet the 2025 winners, hear their heartfelt reactions, and see why they’re truly making a difference in healthcare.

🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more stories from Our People and updates from STSFT!

Welcome to The Check Up, a brand new series of 10-minute, bite-sized episodes where we bring you expert advice, top tips, and valuable insights from various departments at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust to help you stay healthy and informed.

In this first episode, we’re joined by the experts from our Dietetics department. Kate Roberts, Childhood Weight Management Dietitian, Claire Milford, Dietetic Assistant Practitioner, and Lucy Matheson, Diabetes Prevention Dietitian, will share their top tips on healthy eating, making it easier than ever to incorporate nutritious choices into your daily routine.

Whether you're looking to manage your weight, prevent diabetes, or simply eat healthier, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you make positive changes. Tune in to The Check Up and start your journey toward healthier eating today!

Explore our Nutrition and Dietetics services: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk/services/nutrition-and-dietetics

To mark Healthcare Science Week, meet Amanda, Julie and Caroline from the Neurophysiology department at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

We ask some quick fire questions, and take a deep dive into what Neurophysiology is all about and the investigations that take place at STSFT.

As we have already discovered in this series of Our People Podcast, a series of teams work alongside each other to provide care at Sunderland Eye Infirmary.

The latest to be featured on the podcast is the research team, who carry out such valuable work to help us maintain the highest of standards.

Hear from Senior Research Nurse Karen Davidson, Research Nurse Michelle Young and Senior Ophthalmic Photographer Nicolle Teasdale as they discuss their roles, the work carried out by the team and the upcoming move to the new eye hospital in Sunderland.

Rafaela Schelle is a Specialist Orthoptist and Orthoptic Department Manager at Sunderland Eye Infirmary.

She joined us for this episode of Our People Podcast to discuss all things orthoptics, and the transformational effect she expects the new eye hospital to make.