On this episode of the Voices of Care podcast, Sarah Woolnough, CEO of the King's Fund, discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the NHS and social care in England. She shares insights on health inequalities, the importance of prevention, and the need for bold leadership to drive transformative change in the healthcare system.

Caroline Clarke, NHS England's Regional Director for London, discusses the future of healthcare in the capital. From digital-first strategies and community-based care to addressing health inequalities, Clarke shares insights on London's diverse health challenges and innovative solutions. She highlights the importance of public engagement, technological advancements, and cross-sector collaboration in improving health outcomes for Londoners.

Dr Ian Gargan, CEO of the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN), and Pooja Rupalia-Seyani, Analytics Manager at PHIN, feature on this episode of the Voices of Care podcast.

Alongside host Suhail Mirza, Dr Ian and Pooja discuss the importance of data in healthcare, the need for collaboration between the NHS and the private acute sector, and PHIN’s progress in delivering the CMA Order.  

Sir Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and MP for Kingston and Surbiton, features on this episode of #VoicesofCare. Alongside host, Suhail Mirza, Sir Ed discusses his personal connection to care, the pressing need for long-term social care reforms, the Liberal Democrats’ vision for transforming social care, and the challenge of tackling the country’s health inequalities.  

Michelle Gorringe, co-founder of Newcross Healthcare and its first Chief Ethical Officer, features on this episode of the Voices of Care podcast.

Alongside host Suhail Mirza, Michelle discusses her new role as Newcross’ Chief Ethical Officer, her nursing journey as well as the journey of Newcross Healthcare, FuturU and healthcare education provision, and the importance of supporting wellbeing for healthcare professionals.

Professor Geeta Menon, Chair of the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) Grand Advisory Council, features on this episode of the Voices of Care podcast.

Alongside host Suhail Mirza, Geeta discusses the challenges faced by international medical graduates, gender inequality in the medical profession, the role of technology in medical education and leadership in healthcare. 

Andrea Sutcliffe, CEO at the Nursing and Midwifery Council features on this episode of Voices of Care.

Alongside our host, Suhail Mirza, Andrea shares her experiences and expertise in the healthcare landscape, discussing topics ranging from the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, the significance of inclusion for nurses and patient wellbeing, leadership in healthcare, and the challenges faced by the NMC in 2023. 

Tadgh Daly, Chief Executive Officer of Nursing Homes Ireland, features on this episode of Voices of Care.

Alongside our host, Suhail Mirza, Tadgh discusses increased workforce pressures, the impact of nursing home closures on the sector, lack of funding, ever-changing age demographics of the healthcare population, as well as the positive contributions of the nursing home sector.

Professor David Laughton, Group CEO at Royal Wolverhampton & Walsall NHS Trust features on this episode of Voices of Care.

Alongside our host, Suhail Mirza, David discusses his extensive experience, challenges faced by the NHS, leadership and culture, and potential strategies for improvement in the healthcare system.

Patricia Higgins, CEO of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, features on this episode of Voices of Care.

Alongside our host, Suhail Mirza, Patricia discusses workforce pressures faced in social and health care, Northern Ireland Social Care Council’s Strategic Plan for 2023 to 2027, as well as the Social Care Collaborative Forum. 

Anna Severwright, co-convenor at Social Care Future, features on this episode of Voices of Care. Alongside our host, Suhail Mirza, Anna discusses the need for social care to focus on enabling individuals to lead a "gloriously ordinary life", Social Care Future's vision and the need for co-production to reshape social care.

Jackie Irvine, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate, features on this episode of #VoicesofCare.

Alongside our host, Suhail Mirza, Jackie discusses the Care Inspectorate's work across Scotland's health and social care sector, the current challenges faced post-pandemic, and the importance of continuous innovation and collaboration with service users and providers.

In this episode of Voices of Care, host Suhail Mirza interviews Charles Gore, executive director of the Medicines Patent Pool. Gore discusses the organisation's mission to increase access to affordable medicines in low and middle-income countries through voluntary licensing agreements with pharmaceutical companies. He explains their work in HIV, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis, as well as their expansion into COVID-19 treatments and non-communicable diseases.

Clare Teeney, Chief People Officer at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, features on this episode of #VoicesofCare. Alongside our host, Suhail Mirza, Clare discusses the implementation of the NHS workforce plan, the significance of inclusion and diversity in workforce recruitment, as well as the future of training and education within healthcare.

Pauline Shepherd, CEO at the Independent Health and Care Providers in Northern Ireland, features on this episode of Voices of Care.

Alongside our host, Suhail Mirza, Pauline discusses the role of the independent sector amidst the current workforce crisis in healthcare, inclusion & the need to promote social care as a career.

Mary Wimbury, CEO at Care Forum Wales, features on this episode of Voices of Care. Alongside our host, Suhail Mirza, Mary discusses the state of the social care sector in Wales, fees and funding, as well as what the future of the care workforce in Wales might look like.

Philip Luce, CEO at Bupa Cromwell, features on this episode of Voices of Care. Alongside our host, Suhail Mirza, Philip discusses the role of the independent acute sector, the fierce competition for workforce, and the sector’s bounce back from the Covid period.

Karen Bonner, Chief Nurse at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust features on this episode of Voices of Care. Alongside our host, Suhail Mirza, Karen discusses the promise and the provisions of the NHS long-term workforce plan, and the thorny issue of how to create a truly inclusive culture.

In this episode we’re joined by Charlie Massey, CEO at the General Medical Council. Charlie sits down with our host, Suhail Mirza, to discuss the unprecedented workforce pressure and burnout the medical profession is facing, and the transformation envisaged by the NHS workforce plan.

Dr Rowena Christmas, Chair at The Royal College of General Practitioners Wales features on this episode of Voices of Care. Rowena sits down with host Suhail Mirza to discuss the transformation of the primary care sector in Wales & the prominent roles GPs will face within it.

Toby Lewis, CEO at Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, features on this episode of Voices of Care. 

Toby sits down with Suhail to discuss health inequalities, retention, the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, recruitment pathways and more.  

Dr Ian Gargan, CEO at Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) sits down with Voices of Care host Suhail Mirza to discuss the current status of the independent sector and the role it can play in supporting the NHS.

Siva Anandaciva, Chief Analyst at The King’s Fund, joins Voices of Care host Suhail Mirza this week to offer his insight into funding, international comparisons, the state of clinical facilities and more.

Professor Habib Naqvi MBE, Chief Executive at NHS Race and Health Observatory, joins us on #VoicesofCare to discuss tackling racial health inequalities in the UK healthcare system. He explores key issues like maternal health disparities, mental health access, workforce diversity, and the importance of data-driven approaches. Professor Habib highlights the Observatory's work in addressing systemic racism in healthcare and fostering international collaboration to drive meaningful change.

Former Secretary of State for Health and Chair of Public Policy Projects Stephen Dorrell is our guest on #VoicesofCare this week.

Stephen and host Suhail Mirza explore the issues facing healthcare, and what their solutions could look like, in this insightful episode.

Matthew Kershaw, CEO of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, joins Suhail Mirza on the first episode of Voices of Care: Season 2.

Matthew boasts more than 30 years’ experience in healthcare and sits down with Suhail to discuss topics such as integration, transformation, partnerships and health inequalities.

Michael Manuccia, CEO of FuturU, joins Suhail Mirza on this week’s Voices of Care to discuss staff shortages and development, technology and his vision for the future.

Helen Whyley, Director for the Royal College of Nursing in Wales, joins host Suhail Mirza on this week’s Voices of Care episode to discuss the pressures that led to industrial action, the future of nursing, diversity and much, much more.

Sim Scavazza, Acting Chair at NHS Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, sits down with Voices of Care host Suhail Mirza to discuss diversity, cultural change, innovation and the ongoing crisis the industry finds itself in.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne MBE, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, joins Voices of Care host Suhail Mirza this week in a powerful interview.

Kamila speaks passionately about funding, GP shortages, technology and inequalities in the eye-opening episode.

Oonagh Smyth, CEO of Skills for Care, is this week’s guest on Voices of Care and shares her valuable insight on the current state of the industry, as well as what the future has in store, with host Suhail Mirza.

Ian Smith is the Chair of NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board, who work with people in Surrey Heartlands to create better, healthier lives. They have a focus on prevention and support that’s targeted where it’s most needed to reduce the unfairness some people experience in accessing care, so nobody is left behind. Ian was previously Executive Chairman of Four Seasons Health Care and Chief Executive of the General Healthcare Group. 

In this episode of Voices of Care Ian talks to our host, Suhail Mirza, about the importance of offering career paths within the health and social care sector, the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and workforce sickness, and how vital inclusion is for retention. 

Tim Orchard is a consultant physician and gastroenterologist and Chief Executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust which provides acute and specialist healthcare in North West London for around a million and a half people every year. It is one of the largest NHS trusts in England and together with Imperial College London forms an academic health science centre. 

In this episode of Voices of Care, Tim Orchard talks to our host, Suhail Mirza, about the importance of job satisfaction and attention to health and wellbeing within the workforce, the role of technology in the health and social care sector, and how vital it is to ensure that everyone is offered the same career progression opportunities. 

Louise Stead, CEO of the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, has more than three decades’ experience as a nurse and features on this week’s episode of Voices of Care to discuss several insightful topics, including the future of healthcare, staff wellbeing and recruitment, with host Suhail Mirza.

In this episode of the Voices of Care podcast, Pritesh Mistry, Fellow at the King's Fund discusses cutting-edge developments in healthcare technology with host Suhail Mirza. Pritesh explores the NHS Federated Data Platform, leadership challenges in digital healthcare, bridging the digital divide, AI's potential in patient care, and technology's role in social care.  

Richard Mitchell, the Chief Executive of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, re-joined the Trust as chief executive in October 2021 having worked as the chief executive of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for four years. Richard is also the Chair of the East Midlands Cancer Alliance and Midlands Regional and Talent Leadership Board.

In this episode of Voices of Care, Richard Mitchell talks to our host, Suhail Mirza, about the importance of ethical international recruitment, how looking after the health and social workforce through providing the basics is key, and why we need to move beyond hope and into delivery.

This week’s guest on Voices of Care is Laura Skaife-Knight, Deputy Chief Executive at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn. Over the past three years Laura has transformed the hospital from “basket case” into success story with a particular emphasis on staff wellbeing.

Laura sits down with host Suhail Mirza to discuss some of the initiatives she implemented at the Norfolk hospital in an insightful and refreshing conversation.

Ian Trenholm is the Chief Executive at the Care Quality Commission (CQC), an independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. The CQC strives to ensure health and social services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and encourage care services to improve.

Ian joins host Suhail Mirza to discuss the strikes, gridlock and crisis facing the care industry in a transparent and honest interview.

Dr Donald Macaskill is the CEO of Scottish Care, the representative body for care providers in the independent sector, and has dedicated his career to the health and social care sectors across the UK. Dr Macaskill also sits on a number of governmental committees and workings groups and is a trustee for a number of charities. 

In this episode, Dr Macaskill discusses the current state of the care industry in an eye-opening discussion. 

Stephen Pattrick is the CEO and Co-founder of Newcross Healthcare. Since 1996, Newcross Healthcare has been working with carers and clients at a grassroots level. Newcross Healthcare serves every part of Britain. Creating a truly joined up healthcare ecosystem, to ensure clients can find healthcare workers to fit their needs and nurses and carers can find work that fits around their lives.

Stephen sits down with our host, Suhail Mirza, to discuss the future of hospital at home, using technology to improve patient outcomes and lower costs, democratise care through early diagnosis, and offer free training to enable the workforce of the future.

Professor Joe Harrison is CEO of the Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and has been an NHS acute hospital Chief Executive for over ten years. Along with an ambitious digital innovation programme, Joe has championed workplace wellbeing to improve the working lives of the team at MKUH. 

In this episode of Voices of Care, Professor Joe Harrison talks to our host, Suhail Mirza, about the importance of attracting and looking after employees, opening an independent medical school, and promoting health and wellbeing within the workplace. 

Justin Ash is CEO of Spire Healthcare, a private healthcare provider with 39 hospitals and 8 clinics across the UK. He is also a member of the strategic council of Independent Healthcare Providers Network, the only membership organisation for independent healthcare providers across the UK, and a chair of the trustees of THET (Tropical Health & Education Trust). 

In this episode of Voices of Care, Justin Ash talks to our host, Suhail Mirza, about how apprenticeships have the power to transform the sector, the importance of speaking up, openness, listening, and responding appropriately, and how the workforce is at the heart of health and social care provision. 

Previously chief executive at The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and now chief executive of NHS Providers’, Sir Julian Hartley is motivated by the opportunity to champion and advocate for NHS organisations at a time of great pressure faced by all who work in the health service. He says that he wants to bring his experience and insight to the wider debate about the NHS at a time when we face one of the most challenging periods in its history. 

In this episode of Voices of Care, Sir Julian Hartley talks to our host, Suhail Mirza, about pressures faced by the health and social care workforce, the importance of focusing on healthcare workers’ needs, and how an engaged and empowered team provides better outcomes for those in their care. 

Raina Summerson is CEO of Agincare and is closely involved with the Homecare Association and other national bodies in respect of lobbying for the social care sector. Raina is a qualified social worker, with a Masters in Mental Health Services and has worked in social care since 1989, both privately and in the Local Authority/NHS environment. 

In this episode of Voices of Care, Raina Summerson talks to our host, Suhail Mirza, about the relationship between health and social care, being a social care advocate, and the importance of learning and development in the sector. 

Neil Carberry is the CEO of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, which drives standards and empowers recruitment businesses to build better futures for their candidates and themselves. He is a three-time nominee to the SIA Staffing 100 in Europe and on the board of the World Employment Confederation and a primary academy trust in Oxfordshire. 

In this episode of Voices of Care, Neil Carberry talks to our host, Suhail Mirza, about recruitment being one of the UK's great undersold success stories, being a critical partner for the health and social care sector, and digital right to work checks. 

In this special episode of Voices of Care, host Suhail Mirza interviews three leading experts in social care: Professor Vic Rayner, Professor Martin Green, and Dr. Jane Townsend. They discuss the pressing issues facing the social care sector, including workforce challenges, funding problems, and the need for better integration. They offer insights on potential solutions, such as improving commissioning practices, investing in technology, and elevating the status of care work. They also touch on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and provide recommendations for the government to address the sector's long-standing issues.  

Steve Moore is CEO of the Hywel Dda University Health Board, which provides healthcare services to a total population of around 385,615 throughout Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. He is a strong believer in the need to make the organisation the best it can be by supporting staff to learn, develop and grow. 

In this episode of Voices of Care, Steve Moore talks to our host, Suhail Mirza, about vacancy shortages across the health and social care sector, integrated workforce planning, and the importance of inclusion. 

James Tugendhat is CEO of HC-One and cites one of the key reasons for joining was HC-One’s commitment to being the Kind Care Company. HC-One is Britain’s largest care home operator, with more than 275 care homes across England, Scotland and Wales specialising in dementia, nursing, and residential care for older people. 

In this episode of Voices of Care, James Tugendhat talks to our host, Suhail Mirza, about wellbeing burnout within the workforce, international recruitment, and the importance of delivering person-centered care. 

Sir James Mackey is Chief Executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and one of the most celebrated and respected leaders within the NHS. He has been appointed by NHS England and NHS Improvement as SRO and National Director of Elective Recovery supporting the national team to find new ways to address the elective backlog. 

In this episode of Voices of Care, Sir James Mackey talks to our host, Suhail Mirza, about further reducing NHS waiting times, ensuring that both staff members and patients have the best experience possible, and the importance of recognising and acknowledging achievements that have been made. 

Dr Jane Townson is CEO of the Homecare Association, the professional association representing and supporting providers of care in people’s own homes. She has extensive experience in the health, social care, and technology industries, and works to ensure that homecare is valued so that everyone can live well at home and flourish within their communities.

In this episode of Voices of Care, Dr Jane Townson talks to our host, Suhail Mirza, alongside Mark Story, Newcross Healthcare’s Head of Learning Innovation, about the importance of care at home, offering excellent training and development opportunities to healthcare professionals, and tackling funding issues within the sector.