Rad Chat

Trigger Warning: cancer, mental health and serious mental illness, neglect, death and dying. 

Episode 220: Part of the Workforce and Development Series (part 78).

Description: In this thought-provoking episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara are joined by Dr. Laura Charlesworth to explore the experiences of people living with serious mental illness alongside cancer.

Laura shares insights from her research into how serious mental illness and other co-morbidities can influence cancer care, and discusses the importance of person-centred care, health service design and tackling health inequalities.

Laura completed her PhD in 2024, titled Enabling coping in people living with cancer and serious mental illness. Her research explored how people living with serious mental illness perceived and experienced their needs when diagnosed with and treated for cancer. Through in-depth interviews and grounded theory analysis, Laura developed a new theoretical model highlighting how personal experiences and resilience, healthcare encounters and stigma, and the wider social determinants of health can shape an individual’s ability to cope with the complexities of living with cancer and serious mental illness.

Laura is an Associate Professor and Health Services Research Fellow at York St John University. In this episode, we discuss what her research tells us about delivering more compassionate, inclusive and person-centred cancer care, and consider how health services can better respond to the needs of people experiencing multiple health inequalities.

CPD Reflection Points:

What did you learn?

• What were the key things you learned from this activity? Did anything challenge, reinforce or change your existing knowledge, understanding or beliefs?

How does this relate to your practice?

• How does the learning relate to your current role and practice? Has it highlighted anything you could improve, develop or approach differently?

What difference could this make to service users?

• How could applying this learning improve the experience, safety, dignity, outcomes or equality of care for the people you work with?

What will you do differently?

• Identify one specific action you will take as a result of this learning. This could relate to your clinical practice, communication, professional behaviour, teamwork or service delivery.

How will you know it has made a difference?

• How will you evaluate the impact of your learning or action? What evidence, feedback, observation or outcome could demonstrate that your practice has changed or improved?

Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.

Links from the Episode:

• Patient Resource: Cancer and serious mental illness 
• Centre for mental health 
• Life after Lary
• Dr. Laura Charlesworth

Research links from the Episode:

• How does severe mental illness impact on cancer outcomes in individuals with severe mental illness and cancer? A scoping review of the literature - Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
• Exploring the perceived impact of stigma on the cancer experience of people with severe mental illness | Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Springer Nature Link
• Resilience in people with severe mental illness and cancer, a qualitative study | Supportive Care in Cancer | Springer Nature Link

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• BlueSky
• YouTube

Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Trigger Warning: this episode discusses cancer, cancer treatment and side effects of treatment.

Episode 219: Part of the Education and Workforce Development Series (Part 73)

Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Sophie Davis, Emma-Praer Breger and Rachael Williams.

During her time studying Biomedical Science, Sophie sparked a keen interest in cancer cell biology and treatment, this led Sophie to exploring a career as a therapeutic radiographer. Sophie completed a master's Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology. Sophie then went on to become a Band 5 Therapeutic Radiographer at The Royal Marsden Hospital. Sophie had a keen interest in students and education and became the practice educator for Therapeutic Radiography students. Sophie had a passion for improving education and completed a masters module in practice education. In 2022 Sophie started working as a lecturer at London South Bank University. Sophie is currently working on implementing different skills and simulation programmes into the degree course to enhance clinical learning.

Emma-Praer has over a decade of experience as a therapeutic radiographer, having worked in a range of hospitals across England, including a veterinary clinic where she delivered radiotherapy to dogs and cats. Following her role at UCLH Macmillan Support and Information Services, she developed a passion for teaching, which led her to become a lecturer at LSBU. She is currently completing her PGCE apprenticeship and has recently introduced a personal statement–led approach to student recruitment.

Rachael qualified as a Therapeutic Radiographer in July 2010 from the University of the West of England. Rachael is currently the course leader and senior lecturer for the Therapeutic Radiography programme at London South Bank University. Rachael is passionate about radiotherapy with a specific interest in radiotherapy planning and dosimetry, along with clinical practice. Rachael enjoys teaching students the profession both academically and clinically. To ensure students receive equal opportunities and positive experiences while completing their clinical training. Rachael has a keen interest in education and has pursued this by completing a master’s in education, with a specific focus on inclusive teaching.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. Reflect on how you can promote therapeutic radiography within your workplace, education and wider professional networks to raise awareness of the profession.
2. Consider how sharing your career journey and experiences could inspire students, prospective applicants and colleagues to explore careers in therapeutic radiography.
3. Reflect on the potential impact of writing and publishing a book to share professional knowledge, experiences and patient stories, and consider whether this could support your own professional development.

Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.

Links from the Episode:

• The Modern Therapeutic Radiographer: An Introductory Guide(Series in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering)
• Therapeutic Radiographer Careers
• World Radiotherapy Awareness Day

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• BlueSky
• YouTube

Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Rhona talks about all things neuro-oncology.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline. You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our

content unless we expressly agree in writing. You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context. Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Kasey talks about her degree in radiotherapy and next steps after qualifying.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline. You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our

content unless we expressly agree in writing. You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context. Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Rita talks about her audit of dosimetry processes in her department.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline. You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing. You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context. Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Rita talks about the importance of research.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline. You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing. You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context. Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Trigger Warning: this episode discusses cancer. 

Episode 218 which is part of the living with and beyond cancer series.

Description: In this educational episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down Dr. Aruni Ghose, a Specialty Doctor in Oncology at the South East Wales Immunotherapy Toxicity Service, Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff and Research Fellow in Cardio-Oncology at the Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, UK. He is an NHS Clinical Entrepreneur, Chief Medical Officer at British based OncoFlow AI Cancer CoPilot. He is Director of Operations at the International Urology Cancer Summit, Steering Committee of the London Global Cancer Week Cancer Health Disparities, Oncology Council of the Royal Society of Medicine, Collaborator at the Lancet Commission on Cancer Control in the Commonwealth and a Future Cancer Leader at the UK and Ireland Global Cancer Network.

In this episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara talk to Dr. Aruni Ghose about his career, health inequalities and OncoFlow, which uses AI to help healthcare professionals involved in cancer care create personalised management plans for cancer patients.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. One area of your practice where AI could improve patient care, efficiency or decision-making.
2. What benefits this could bring to patients and healthcare professionals.
3. What would need to be considered before introducing AI into your practice.
4. Reflect on a patient you have cared for: What individual factors influenced their care? Could AI have helped identify or respond to any of these factors? What aspects of personalised care could AI never replace?

Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.

Links from the Episode:

• Dr Aruni Ghose LinkedIn Profile 
• Onco Flow AI 

Research links from the Episode:

• Dr Aruni Ghose Scholarly Activity

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• BlueSky
• YouTube

Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Trigger Warning: this episode discusses cancer, diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment. 

Bonus Episode in paid partnership with Ergéa. 

Description: In this episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Donna Hughes and Carol Scott.

Donna is an experienced therapeutic radiographer with a long and varied career in radiotherapy practice and service development. She currently works for Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as the Lead Radiographer for the radiotherapy satellite centre in Milton Keynes, supporting the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care. Donna trained in England and spent the first half of her career working in Ireland before returning to the UK. Her clinical experience includes roles in neuro-oncology and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), as well as contributing to the implementation of an MR Linac service in the private sector. She is particularly passionate about patient care and the people she works alongside. 

Carol is a senior therapeutic radiographer and Radiotherapy Services Manager at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. She has extensive experience in radiotherapy service leadership, advanced radiotherapy technologies and stereotactic radiotherapy, and has held senior clinical leadership roles including Deputy Clinical Director for Oncology. Carol has played a key role in the development of innovative radiotherapy services at Oxford, including stereotactic and image-guided radiotherapy, and has contributed to radiotherapy development and commissioning at a national level through NHS England.

We discuss how the role of a managed equipment service supports staff by freeing up clinical time, supporting with recruitment and retention of staff, as well as sustainability and future proofing digital solutions. 

CPD Reflection Points:

1. Reflect on how the current management and maintenance of radiotherapy or diagnostic equipment affects your department’s efficiency, staff experience, and patient care. Identify one area where a managed equipment service could reduce downtime, delays, or administrative burden. What impact could this have on staff morale, workload, and the patient experience?
2. Consider how reliable, modern and well-maintained equipment could influence recruitment and retention within your service. Reflect on whether access to contemporary technology, effective technical support and a well-functioning working environment could make your department more attractive to current and prospective staff. What changes could help demonstrate that your organisation is investing in its workforce?
3. Reflect on the potential of managed equipment services to future-proof radiotherapy and diagnostic services. Consider how planned replacement, proactive maintenance, training and access to technical expertise could support staff to work confidently with evolving technology. How could this contribute to workforce development, job satisfaction and the delivery of safe, timely and high-quality patient care?

Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.

Links from the Episode:

• Ergéa
• Clinical Managed Services including Managed Maintenance Services
• Managed Services Guide

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• BlueSky
• YouTube

Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Trigger Warning: this episode discusses cancer, cancer treatment, benign conditions, side effects and long term conditions.

Episode 217: Part of the Education and workforce development series (part 72)

Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Dr. Richard Shaffer is a Radiation Oncologist and a prominent expert in the use of radiotherapy for treating benign disease, including Dupuytren’s, Ledderhose, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, keloid scars, osteoarthritis, tendinopathy and bursitis. Since starting his practice in 2011, Dr. Shaffer has treated more than 3000 benign patients and provided training and mentoring to fellow consultants starting benign radiotherapy practices. He co-wrote the 2015 Royal College of Radiologists guidelines for benign conditions and is the founder and President of the International Society for Radiotherapy for Benign Conditions (www.iorbc.com).

This episode is a deep dive into Richard’s career, history of radiotherapy for benign conditions, dose and fractionation along with potential side effects.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. Identify common benign indications that can be treated by radiotherapy.
2. Understand appropriate dose and fractionation for benign conditions.
3. Recognise the risks and benefits of treating benign disease with ionising radiation.

Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.

Links from the Episode:

• Theralife clinics
• Dupuytrens UK
• Joint pain practice 
• Radiotherapy Academy for Benign Conditions
• International organisation for radiotherapy for benign conditions

Research links from the Episode:

• Recommendations for using radiotherapy for benign disease in the UK
• Radiotherapy for benign disease; assessing the risk of radiation-induced cancer following exposure to intermediate dose radiation

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• BlueSky
• YouTube

Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Trigger Warning: this episode discusses healthcare.

Episode216: Part of the education and workforce development series (Part 72)

Description: In this educational episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Christopher Tuckett, a senior NHS leader and physiotherapist with a career spanning clinical practice, service improvement and strategic AHP leadership. He has led across acute, community and national settings, with a strong focus on quality, value and workforce optimisation. Christopher is currently undertaking a PhD exploring the acceptability of healthcare interventions, including digital models of care, bringing fresh insight into how technology, behaviour and service design intersect to improve outcomes and productivity.

This episode is a deep dive into life as an AHP, career development, leadership and research into digital models of care. 

CPD Reflection Points:

1. What is one aspect of your work that creates significant value, but is currently difficult to measure or demonstrate? How could you make that value more visible?
2. How has the episode changed your thinking about productivity in healthcare? Identify one measure of activity in your service that could be better linked to quality, outcomes or patient impact.
3. What is one thing you could do differently when communicating the value of your role, or service to senior leaders, or finance colleagues? What will you do differently as a result?

Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.

Links from the Episode:

• Christopher Tuckett
• Digital Services for Integrated Care

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• BlueSky
• YouTube

Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.