The Link Podcast

On this safety focused episode: Lizzie Crisp (Senior Midwifery Lecturer) and Ben Woodrow-Hirst (Inter-Professional Education, Lecturer in Allied Health/ Simulation and Tech Enhanced Learning) find out what a failed launch of space shuttle and hand hygiene have in common?

Ben & Lizzie are joined by Dr Ed Tolhurst (Senior Lecturer and Researcher), and Dr Yetunde Ataiyero (Nursing Lecturer and Researcher) to explore in detail risk taking behaviors, including fundamental patient safety issues such as hand hygiene compliance. Using the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster as an example we navigate the complexities of visible and non visible outcomes of risk taking behavior. Throughout this podcast we take a journey with Yetunde back to her student nursing days, learn from her career in Nigeria, PhD and current role as an educator. Prepare for a interesting discussions about risk, systems failures, current hand hygiene practice, covid, education & patient safety.

Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst & Lizzie Crisp
Produced Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways

This month: On 3 June 2017, a terrorist vehicle-ramming and stabbing took place in London, .A van was deliberately driven into pedestrians on London Bridge, and then crashed on the south bank of the River Thames. Its three occupants then ran to the nearby Borough Market area and began stabbing people in and around restaurants and pubs. They were shot dead by City of London Police officers, and were found to be wearing fake explosive vests. Eight people were killed and 48 were injured, including members of the public and four unarmed police officers who attempted to stop the assailants. British authorities described the perpetrators as "radical Islamic terrorists".
London Ambulance Service Paramedic, Lewis Shelly talks openly and honestly about the events that unfolded on one of the most memorable and poignant moments of his career to date! Along with him was a student paramedic who he and his crew mate had to keep safe throughout the ordeal.

Ben Woodrow-Hirst (Inter-Professional Education, Lecturer in Allied Health/ Simulation and Tech Enhanced Learning) is joins Lewis, to discuss managing split second decisions, the importance of de-brief, recognising the physiological effects of trauma in ourselves and others and what we can do to keep ourselves mentally strong

“This was such a fascinating deep dive into the terror attack, and Lewis gives us that personal perspective of what it was like to experience healthcare provision under these remarkable circumstances”

If you have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing [email protected].

Upcoming podcasts
Being a transgender paramedic.
Living with endometriosis.

Want to get involved?
We have a new state of the art Podcast room!
Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Lets Pod!
Contact me: Twitter: @benw_h email: [email protected] or Jo Natalello [email protected]

Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Produced Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways

Welcome to the Link at Health and Social Care, brought to you by Staffordshire University!

*Trigger Warning* We will be discussing resuscitation attempts in detail, death, dying and explore the emotions and feelings of those involved. At the bottom of the description is a link for Wellbeing if you are affected by any of the subject matter!

This month, Ben Woodrow-Hirst (Staffordshire University lecturer in allied health, Simulation & Tech Enhanced Learning, ALS instructor) is Joined by two very special guests! Tom Woods (Staffordshire University lecturer in Adult Nursing and emergency care/resus nurse ALS/ATLS/EPLS instructor) and Dr Dodiy Sherman (consultant in emergency medicine, ALS/ATLS/EPLS instructor).

The pair have worked together in their home trust, within the emergency department and the resuscitation room. They are both very passionate about all aspects of resuscitation and have even travelled the world teaching resuscitation skills to other countries.

Here we talk about the things that WE don’t often talk about, the emotional toll being a resus team leader takes, especially when making difficult decisions. The role of being a student during a resuscitation attempt, top tips for any student in any profession. We explore open communication surrounding speaking out, being heard and also being part of the team when deciding the often-difficult decision to stop a resuscitation attempt.

We also talk about how we each manage team debriefs and how we make sense of traumatic deaths, including recognising emotional stress in ourselves and our co-workers, the role of self-care and seeking support and how these experiences impact on our clinical practice.

Also, as a side, we play our new feature, a medical game of “would you Rather?” find out if Tom and Dodiy would prefer a pill dispenser for tears, or hypodermic needles for fingers!?
If you enjoyed this episode, listen to the last 3! Subscribe and SHARE AWAY!!

Would you like to get involved with a podcast? Do you have an interesting topic within H&SC, or wellbeing that you would like to come on and discuss?

Get in touch! Lets Pod!
[email protected]
Twitter: @benw_h

Wellbeing for Staffordshire University students and staff

https://www.staffs.ac.uk/students/support/student-wellbeing/student-wellbeing-service

This month: A large contingent of ex-military personnel move into healthcare professions, but what are their experiences leaving a life in the military to civilian life? What are the struggles? What are the benefits? How can civilians within healthcare and Higher Education institutes support this process?

Ben Woodrow-Hirst (Inter-Professional Education, Lecturer in Allied Health/ Simulation and Tech Enhanced Learning) is joined with Aron Cooke (Lecturer in Paramedic Sciences) and Iona Kelly (1st year Student Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), Talk very openly about the trials and tribulations transitioning from their military lives, into civilian life and their experiences here at Staffordshire University.

We discuss their fascinating insights, mental health struggles, and changes to their day to day life and ultimately, they give advice to those who may be themselves, transitioning from the military and how we can support them to make this easier, as colleagues, friends and fellow students.

“This was such a fascinating deep dive into the hidden struggles that military personnel might have when joining healthcare, I hope that this will enrich our understanding of how difficult this can be, and has really challenged my pre-conceptions and compassion towards these incredible individuals”

If you have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing [email protected].

Upcoming podcasts

Decisions to stop resuscitation, what if I want to say no?

A Paramedic’s reflections: Responding to the London bombings/terror attack

Want to get involved?

Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Lets Pod!

Contact me: Twitter: @benw_h email: [email protected]

Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Produced Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways

Ben Woodrow-Hirst (Allied Health Lecturer/Simulation) is joined by the wonderful Carolyn Gair (course director Social Work).

In this episode, Carolyn talks openly and passionately about the hidden issues within the Gypsy-Roma Traveller Community (GRT). We challenge pre-conceptions, generally assess the ‘Social norm-Motorway’ and help change our perspectives in this part 1 of 2 series.

Part 2: look out for this in the next few months, we’ll be reaching out to the GRT community to join us for a greater insight to the other side of the story!

“This was an amazing deep dive into a topic that generally isn’t talked about in H&SC, its changed may perceptions and given me a greater appreciation of the barriers” Ben w-H

Also, we are due for our 2nd vaccination, there are reports of people going in fancy dress!! What would YOU go dressed as? We divulge what we might be wearing, can you guess? listen through to hear the answer?

"Code-Switching" this month, Ben Woodrow-Hirst (lecturer in allied health, Simulation and tech enhanced learning at Staffordshire University) and Dawn Lawrence (Lecturer in Social welfare/care, & BAME advocate/campaigner) discuss the principle of code-switching, something that we may all do to a degree, but for some groups of people, it holds a deeper context that is more about survival within society.

If you have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help,contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing [email protected].

If you think you have, or have been diagnosed with a learning disability or neurodivergence, SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE! Disability Support - Current students - Staffordshire University (staffs.ac.uk) or contact [email protected]


Want to get involved? We have a new state of the art Podcast room! Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let’s Pod! Contact me: Twitter: @benw_h email: [email protected] Samuel O’Brian: [email protected] or Jo Natalello [email protected]


Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Produced Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways