The RCHT Podcast

What is it like to perform surgery using a robot? In this special episode, we go behind the scenes of Cornwall's first robot-assisted operation, hear from the surgeon who led the procedure, Professor James Clark, and discover how this groundbreaking technology will transform care for patients across the county.

AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT are becoming increasingly common in the workplace, but how can NHS staff use them safely? In this episode of the RCHT Podcast, Peter speaks with Martin Price, Cyber Security Lead at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, about the opportunities and risks associated with AI. They discuss protecting patient and confidential information, common misconceptions about AI,...

In this episode we continue our celebration of Filipino Cultural Month and this year’s theme: Hiraya; a word that represents hope, dreams, and the courage to make them a reality. Andrea Alpuerto, a Renal Specialist Practitioner at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is in the studio and shares her journey from the Philippines to Cornwall. Andrea reflects on what inspired her to become a nurse, the...

In this special episode, we’re celebrating Filipino Cultural Appreciation Month and exploring this year’s theme: Hiraya, a beautiful Filipino word that represents hope, imagination, and the courage to realise your dreams. Peter Young is joined by Paola Pilapil , a Clinical Practice Educator at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, who shares her inspiring journey from the Philippines to Cornwall. Pa...

In this episode of The RCHT Podcast, we’re taking a look back at our latest Board meeting with Chair David Allen and Acting Chief Executive Kim O’Keeffe. We discuss some of the key themes from the meeting, including what we’ve heard from staff through the latest survey and wider feedback, and how that is shaping our priorities over the coming months. Kim shares her reflections from her first Board...

This week, for Dementia Action Week, we’re exploring how a simple tool is helping staff deliver more personalised, compassionate care across Royal Cornwall Hospitals.“This Is Me” is a short document with a powerful impact, helping healthcare teams understand the person behind the patient, especially for those living with dementia. In this episode, we’re joined by Stephanie, Improvement Practitione...

The RCHT Radio show broadcast for the final time on the 31st March 2026 and in our final show we heard from our freedom to speak up guardians Jo Burton and David Kinnair in the studio to, firstly introduce David as he started the role earlier this month, and talk about the speaking up options available to our staff. Dom Whitting our lead for chaplaincy and voluntary services joins me in the studio...

Last week, Royal Cornwall Hospital celebrated the arrival of its new robotic surgical system. We speak to Professor James Clark who tells us us exactly what this system does, how it can make surgery less invasive, and how this £2 million investment will benefit the people of Cornwall. We also hear from Matthew Taylor from Taylor’s Tyres in Redruth who tells us why his company donated money to the...

Mike Horrocks joins Peter in the studio to talk about how Operation Cornwall is helping ensure the new Women and Children’s Hospital programme delivers benefits beyond the building itself, creating opportunities for local people, schools and businesses. He also explains why involving children and young people in the project is so important, helping shape a hospital environment that feels more welc...

This week it's nutrition and hydration week. Katrina Trevains and Lorna Rooney discuss why nutrition and hydration are such an important part of patient care, and how poor intake can have a real impact on recovery and wellbeing. They explain how hospital teams identify patients at risk of malnutrition or swallowing difficulties and support them to eat and drink safely.

Chair David Allen and Chief executive Steve Williamson join us to share the latest updates from our board meeting last week. We hear about the amazing work done by our trauma team following a serious accident and who will be taking over from Steve when he leaves in April. 

We went along to Discovery day on site at RCHT in the Knowledge Spa and spoke to some of the people there about the importance of the event and what it means for them. 

Pete and I went to West Cornwall Hospital with Carolyn from the communications team to meet the accessibility advisory group, who played a key role in making the new outpatients department more accessible for people with disabilities.  Also - our clinical director for surgery and robotics project lead, James Clark, met with Pete in theatres here at Royal Cornwall Hospital to talk about the new rob...

Our clinical director for surgery, James Clark, recently hosted a conference here at Royal Cornwall Hospital about moving services from hospital to community. We’ll hear from James and colleagues about the difference this move is going to make to how our patients are cared for. 

We have Fundraising manager Karen Murrish and Martin Searl in the studio with us to talk about why he’s raising money for our hospitals by taking part in pedal for patients for the second time.  Cancer research patient Jacqui Eastwood will be sharing her story about the care and treatment she’s received at Royal Cornwall Hospital as part of two cancer research trials. 

We have Maggie and Julie in the studio from the Newquay Thursday Club who have raised an incredible amount of money for our Heart of Headland therapy boxes. We’ll be chatting about how it all started, the fundraising efforts behind it, and the real difference it’s making for patients here at Royal Cornwall Hospital  Faith Toogood also joins us on the show to talk about the improvements being made...

On this week's episode we’ll have Chris and Megan from our patient experience team to talk to us about the new patient feedback system, Care to share. They’ll be telling us more about it and about what happens to feedback after it has been submitted. 

Last week we held our bi-monthly board meeting so to sum up what was discussed we have our chair and chief executive in the studio with us. We’ll be talking about the trust’s new strategy, why forming partnerships improves care for patients, and how our new Care to Share platform is helping our board make improvements. We'll also hear from Steve about the impact storm Goretti had on our hospitals...

In our traditional end of year episode of the RCHT Podcast we take a look back at 2025 with our Chair, David Allen, and Chief Executive, Steve Williamson. We'll be looking at the successes and challenges of the past year, what we can look forward to in 2026, and Steve also shares his news and talks about what the leadership transition will look like for RCHT.

Tuesday 25 November marked the first day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, Jasmine Godwin joins us in the studio to tell us more about it and how the NHS in Cornwall is taking part in the campaign. Charlie visited Paradise Park to learn more about the outpatient clinic taking place in the Jungle Barn for children and their parents. Charlie talks with attendees, one...

This week is International fraud awareness week and to mark the occasion our Chief finance officer Ian Dean talks to our Senior local Counter Fraud Specialist Byron Kevern about the definition of fraud, how it affects healthcare organisations such as RCHT and ways in which we can help to prevent it as patients and staff. Last week, RCHT hosted its first Young Peoples Patient Group – we’ll be findi...

RCHT recognised Remembrance Day with a service in the chapel at Royal Cornwall Hospital and online. John Clague, Chair of the Armed Forces Network, shares what remembrance means to him as a veteran, and how the network supports colleagues and families connected to the armed forces. Flu cases are rising, and Chief Pharmacist Iain Davidson explains why it’s more important than ever for staff to get...

Leslie Rust, Senior Maintenance Manager, took us around the hospital site at RCHT to show the ongoing maintenance work and discuss the planned improvements aimed at keeping everyone safe and the hospital looking nice! Last month RCHT hosted a kidney cancer patient day sponsored by Action Kidney Cancer. It was only the third event of its kind in the UK. We speak with uro-oncology clinical nurse spe...

(1:00)  With Remembrance Day just a few weeks away, I had the chance to chat with Paul Newton - a veteran who now works here at RCHT who has an important take on remembrance day. Paul talks about his time in the RAF and the support available for staff members at RCHT who’ve also served in the forces.  (14:38) Last week, St Michael’s Mount lit up green for International Adolescent Health Week and R...

(0:24) I attended the National Community Health and Wellbeing Workers Conference at the Eden Project recently, where people from across the country came together to celebrate the programme’s successes. The strategic lead for the programme, Donna Rowe, spoke with a few people to learn more about their hopes and aspirations for its future.  (5:24) It’s Freedom to Speak Up Week, and we’ll be hearing...