What does effective marketing actually look like for a healthcare practice?

In this episode of The Optimised Practice Podcast, host Emma Price is joined by Michael Schumacher from HMDG to break down the fundamentals of healthcare marketing, from getting the basics right before spending on ads to building visibility, attracting the right patients, and understanding whether your marketing is actually delivering a return.

Michael shares practical insights on why your website, booking system, SEO, Google Ads, pricing, and team visibility all play a crucial role in your practice's growth—and why simply throwing money at advertising isn't the answer.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The three things every healthcare practice should have in place before spending on advertising

• Why your booking system and website can make or break your marketing

• Why patients connect more with the people behind a practice than the brand itself

• How to use networking and local partnerships to generate referrals

• The difference between active and reactive marketing

• Why Google Ads and SEO can be more effective than acquisition-focused social media ads

• How AI and generative search are changing the way patients find healthcare providers

• Why visibility is essential, even when your practice is already busy

• How strategic pricing can influence perceived value and patient demand

• Why tiered pricing and follow-up pricing deserve a closer look

• How to calculate and think about your cost of acquiring a patient

• Why you should measure marketing over 90 days rather than reacting to short-term fluctuations

• How a simple "secret shopper" exercise can reveal problems in your booking and enquiry process

  
  

Michael also shares real-world examples of healthcare practices that have grown quickly, built stronger local referral networks, and used personality-driven marketing to stand out.

The key takeaway? Get the fundamentals right, make your practice visible, track what works, and treat marketing as an investment—not simply a cost.

If you'd like help building a practice that can ultimately work without your daily input, reach out to The Hive.

How do you handle patient complaints without damaging trust?

No healthcare practice is complaint-free but the way you respond can make all the difference. In this solo episode of The Optimised Practice Podcast, host Emma Price shares five practical strategies for handling patient complaints with confidence, empathy, and professionalism.

Learn why complaints aren't just problems to solve—they're valuable opportunities to strengthen your systems, improve patient relationships, and protect your practice's reputation. Whether you're a practice owner, practice manager, or part of a healthcare team, these actionable tips will help you turn difficult conversations into moments that build long-term trust and loyalty.

🎙️ Listen on Spotify or watch on YouTube | Follow us on social media | Visit The Hive to learn how to build a profitable, stable practice that works without your daily input.

In this episode, Emma Price is joined by Alice Treadwell, Practice Manager at Flawless Feet Podiatry and Laser Clinic in London, to talk all things practice management. They discuss when the right time is to hire a practice manager, what qualities and experience to look for, and how the role can free up a clinic owner to focus on the bigger picture. Alice shares her journey from luxury hospitality to podiatry and the lessons she's picked up along the way.

Perfect for healthcare practice owners wondering whether now is the time to bring in their number two.

🎙️ Listen on Spotify or watch on YouTube | Follow us on social media | Visit The Hive to learn how to build a profitable, stable practice that works without your daily input.

In this episode of The Optimised Practice Podcast, host Emma Price sits down with Trevor Prior to explore how footwear can improve both patient outcomes and clinic profitability.

Discover the science behind Vimazi shoes, a biomechanically engineered footwear solution designed to support walking and running efficiency. Trevor explains how their unique design helps clinicians manage a wide range of conditions, including plantar heel pain, patellofemoral pain, ankle osteoarthritis, and more.

Learn how the right footwear recommendations can enhance patient care, improve treatment outcomes, and create additional value within your practice.

What happens when the one thing you didn’t plan for puts your entire practice at risk?

On this episode of The Optimised Practice Podcast, host Emma Price is joined by Asgar Hassanali and Isabel Field from James Hallam Pro Med to unpack why insurance is more than a safety net for healthcare practice owners.

From protecting your team and patients to safeguarding the business you’ve worked hard to build, this conversation explores the real risks healthcare professionals face and how the right cover creates confidence, continuity, and peace of mind.

If you run a healthcare practice, this episode is essential listening.

Navigating HR in healthcare? Here are the top 5 tips every business owner should know to avoid pitfalls! Tag someone who needs to hear this! 1️⃣ Get your paperwork in place! Staff contracts and policies are your foundation. Clear expectations help you avoid misunderstandings and protect your rights as an employer. 2️⃣ Manage sickness and absences effectively. Understanding the types of absence is crucial to maintaining morale and operational efficiency. 3️⃣ Don’t wait too long to address long-term sickness. Start the conversation early to avoid potential discrimination claims. 4️⃣ Have a plan for return-to-work processes. Supporting your staff through their recovery is essential for a smooth transition back to work. 5️⃣ Keep communication open. Asking about a team member’s progress is not overstepping; it shows you care and are willing to help. For more insights, listen to the full episode.

What if the difference between feeling stuck in your practice and moving forward with clarity comes down to how you make decisions?

In this episode, we break down five essential decision-making frameworks designed specifically for healthcare practice owners — helping you move from hesitation and overwhelm to confident, structured action.

From defining your long-term vision to filtering daily choices, this episode gives you a practical toolkit to make better decisions faster — without second-guessing.

What You’ll Learn:
• Why lack of clarity is the biggest reason practice owners feel stuck
• How to create a clear vision that guides every decision you make
• The difference between reversible and irreversible decisions (and why it matters)
• How to filter opportunities using the “Will this make the boat go faster?” mindset
• How to categorize decisions to save time and mental energy
• Why quarterly reviews are critical for staying aligned and adaptable

Key Takeaway:Great practices aren’t built on perfect decisions — they’re built on clear direction, smart frameworks, and the discipline to focus on what truly moves the business forward.

What if the difference between a stressful practice and a scalable business comes down to how you manage your team?

In this solo episode, Blake Sergeant breaks down a proven team management checklist used at Optimize Health — designed to help practice owners transition from working in the business to building a team that helps it grow.

From onboarding to long-term development, this episode gives you a practical framework to build a high-performing, aligned, and motivated team.

What You’ll Learn

• Why most practice owners struggle when growing a team

• How to create a systemised onboarding process that sets the tone from day one

• What an effective probation period should actually look like

• The role of mentoring in retaining and developing great team members

• How to build a strong team culture that supports long-term success

Key Takeaway

A great practice isn’t built on talent alone — it’s built on systems, support, and a culture that helps people thrive.

What if building a successful private practice wasn’t about working harder… but about putting the right pieces in place?

In this solo episode of the Optimised Practice Podcast, Blake Sergeant breaks down the six pieces of the practice puzzle and explains why most clinic owners are focusing on the wrong thing first.

Before you chase more patients or launch another marketing campaign, Blake takes you back to fundamentals. From understanding your numbers properly to choosing the right business model, building a committed team, and stepping into your identity as a true practice owner, this episode is a big picture reset.

Inside this episode:
• Why monthly metrics matter more than annual accounts
• The five P’s that shape your practice model
• How to map out a 12 month and 3 to 5 year vision
• The cultural impact of employed versus associate teams
• Why marketing should come fifth, not first
• The personal mastery required to build a practice that runs without you

If you want a profitable, stable and sellable practice that can work without your daily input, this episode is your blueprint.

Follow for more practical strategies on building a high performing private practice.

What does it really take to step off the tools and build a practice that runs without you?

In this episode of The Optimised Practice Podcast, host Blake Sergeant sits down with Emma Price, owner of Supafoot Cheltenham, mastermind leader, and coach to practice owners, to unpack her journey from sole practitioner to true business owner.

Emma shares the pivotal decisions that allowed her to transition from treating patients five days a week to leading a thriving, systemised, multi-room practice powered by a high-performing team. From moving into larger premises and hiring strategically, to handing over patients with care and building robust systems using simple tools like Google Drive and Trello, she reveals the mechanics behind sustainable growth. Emma also reflects on the mindset shifts required to move from clinician to coach-leader, and how stepping off the pitch became the highest and best use of her time.

If you are navigating the shift from job to business, or want to build a profitable, stable and respected practice that works without your daily input, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest lessons.Subscribe for more episodes and follow along as The Optimised Practice Podcast helps practice owners build businesses that truly thrive.