Let's Talk - With Mel Pickup

Discover how sustainability at Bradford Teaching Hospitals goes far beyond recycling, touching everything from procurement and clinical practice to community partnerships and the next generation of green thinkers. A practical and inspiring conversation about why every small action, and every member of staff, counts.

Beginning with the powerful reflections of a patient, this episode explores the reality that cancer is not just a physical journey, but a deeply emotional and psychological one. Merry and Mandy discuss what happens in the moments after a diagnosis, the weight of uncertainty, and why the end of treatment can sometimes feel harder than the beginning. They share how Bradford’s Cancer Psychology servi...

Discover an inspiring story which is not just a reflection on Meena and Razwana's careers but a reminder of what belonging in the NHS can really look like.

With Flu and other respiratory illnesses already on the rise across the country, Dr Saralaya discusses how vaccination remains one of the best ways to protect ourselves, our families and our patients.

Join Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, for a conversation with David Burtle , Clinical Lead for Organ Donation and Consultant Anaesthetist working across ICU and our operating theatres. David sheds light on the vital topic of organ donation, the incredible difference it can make, and why open, honest conversations about donation matter more than ever. Discover how organ d...

Join Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, for a conversation with Iain Macbeath, Strategic Director of Health and Wellbeing at Bradford Council, as he introduces the groundbreaking Health on the High Street initiative. Inspired by Barnsley’s successful model, the scheme aims to bring NHS services such as outpatient clinics, diagnostics, and minor procedures into accessible c...

Join Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, for a conversation with Matthew Walmsley, Physiotherapist, who shares how his team is already helping to turn the vision of the NHS’ new 10 Year Plan into reality. From shifting care closer to home, to a focus on prevention and the adoption of digital tools, Matthew highlights how these changes are already improving patient care and...

Join Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, for a conversation with Clare Bancroft, Head of Volunteering, and David Goodwin, one of our amazing volunteers here at the Trust, as they explore the vital role volunteers play in supporting patients, staff, and services. From personal stories to behind-the-scenes insights, this episode celebrates the power of giving time, the differ...

In this special episode, Chief Executive Mel Pickup hosts a powerful conversation recorded live at the 2025 Thrive Conference, centred on the theme "Belonging Throughout the Ages: Past, Present & Future." Join us for an inspiring conversation exploring how we lead with belonging at the heart of everything we do — and how a strong sense of belonging helps us build resilient, effective teams. Dr...

In this special episode, Chief Executive Mel Pickup hosts a powerful conversation recorded live at the 2025 Thrive Conference , centred on the theme "Belonging Throughout the Ages: Past, Present & Future." This inspiring panel discussion brings together colleagues from across the Trust to reflect on what it means to belong in today’s NHS — at every stage of life and career. We will hear from A...

Join Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, for a conversation with Angela O'Neill, who was a 21-year-old enrolled nurse at the time of the Bradford Stadium Fire and found herself at the heart of the hospital’s response. We will also hear the recollections of Matthew Wildman, the last surviving person to be pulled out of the stadium fire.

Join Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, for a compelling conversation with Emily Noble, Parkinson's Physiotherapist, and Sophie Meredith, Occupational Therapist, who joined the Neurological Rehabilitation Team through Parkinson’s UK pump-primed roles. They will share with us how the Neurological Rehabilitation team has transformed care for people with Parkinson’s, signific...

Join Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, for a compelling conversation with Lucy Thompson, founder of the Nipple Innovation Project, and Cathy Tait, Breast Surgeon. Together, they explore the transformative impact of the Nipple Innovation project, which provides breast cancer patients with hyper-realistic 3D nipple tattoos following surgery—helping to restore confidence and...

In this podcast Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, engages in a compelling discussion with Rajindra Singh, a Consultant Oncologist and Urological Surgeon, about the transformative world of robotic surgery. This episode delves into the evolution of surgical techniques, the benefits of robotic surgery for both patients and surgeons, and the future of this innovative technolo...

Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mel Pickup, is joined by Jessica Beattie, Practice Educator, and Clare Chippendale, Staff Nurse, who told us about the Nursing Associate programme, and how this relatively new role opens so many doors for colleagues.

Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mel Pickup, is joined by Cat Shutt, Head of Organisational Development, and Carly Wilson, Recruitment and Onboarding Lead, to talk about staff recognition at BTHFT. Cat and Carly will talk about their role in bettering employee experience here at the Trust

Jen and Pepper talk about their role in encouraging and engendering a culture of research activity here at the Trust. 

Sally and Amy talk about how Magnet4Europe is transforming nursing practice and improving the experience for staff and patients in Bradford.

Jamilla and Victoria discuss both the importance and challenges of palliative care as well as the innovative research being conducted to improve end-of-life care. 

International colleagues Abdellatif and Diogo discuss their journeys to working at the Trust and some of the highlights and challenges they faced along the way. 

Sam speaks about her commitment to social justice and her long career in public, voluntary and social enterprise organisations. She also speaks about the work of the alliance and the important role it plays in the health and wellbeing of the people in our district.

Samantha tells us about why the awards were founded and how they were introduced at the Trust. Melbourne, originally from the Philippines, shares the story of her journey to Bradford and her pride in being one of the first DAISY Award Honourees in our hospitals. 

Aisha, who has a background in politics and started her journey in the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) department before moving to Maxillofacial Services, tells us all about the scheme and shares her diverse experiences within the Trust.

Erica tells us about why she founded Dear Erica and the benefits this online community has brought to agency and bank staff, as well as sisters and matrons. 

Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mel Pickup, is joined by Fiona Mattison, Complaints Lead for Urgent, Elderly and Specialist Medicine and Bashir Ahmed, a Service Manager for Surgery and Digestive Diseases to talk about the Trust's Veteran Aware Accreditation.