Voices of Care

In this compelling episode of the Voices of Care podcast, host Suhail Mirza sits down with Stephen Burns, Executive Director of Care, Inclusion and Communities at Peabody Trust, for an urgent conversation about the future of social housing and care. Stephen delivers a stark warning about the mounting pressures facing housing associations that are threatening their ability to build desperately need...

In this inspiring episode of Voices of Care, we speak with Professor Kevin Fenton CBE, President of the UK Faculty of Public Health, London’s Public Health Director and Statutory Health Advisor to the Mayor of London, about the transformative power of public health as both an art and a science. With decades of experience, Kevin provides crucial insights into how organised societal efforts can tack...

In this compelling episode of Voices of Care, host Suhail Mirza speaks with Andrew Bland, Chief Executive of NHS South East London Integrated Care Board. As NHS satisfaction hits its lowest level since records began in 1983, Bland presents his vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service to transform London's healthcare landscape. Addressing the "perfect storm" of economic inactivity and health inequ...

In this eye-opening interview, social care entrepreneur Dr. Robert Kilgour delivers a brutally honest assessment of the UK's social care crisis. Alongside host Suhail Mirza, Dr. Kilgour examines alleged double standards in commissioning and the lack of business experience on the Government frontbench, while proposing his innovative "specialist regional model" for the care home sector. This industr...

In this revealing episode of Voices of Care, Sam Monaghan, CEO of MHA (Methodist Homes) shares powerful insights on the distinctive role of spiritual care in supporting older adults, the creative possibilities within a challenging charity landscape, and his urgent vision for social care reform. He also addresses the stark funding reality facing social care organisations and presents his blueprint...

In this episode of the Voices of Care podcast, former Deputy Prime Minister and Social Care Foundation Chair Damian Green discusses pressing issues facing social care. Drawing from personal experience and policy expertise, Green addresses funding challenges, workforce recruitment, generational fairness, and the need to focus on prevention rather than the cure. With candid analysis of political fai...

In this engaging episode of the Voices of Care podcast, Priory Group CEO Rebekah Cresswell explores the UK's mental health crisis, innovations in social care, and transforming services for those with autism and learning disabilities. Drawing from both NHS and private sector experience, she shares powerful patient stories, discusses workforce challenges, and explains how collaborative approaches ca...

In this episode of #VoicesofCare, we're joined by Jenni Douglas-Todd, Chair of Dorset Integrated Care System, Jenni shares insights from leading Dorset's Integrated Care Board, addressing winter pressures, and tackling health inequalities. Alongside host Suhail Mirza, Jenni emphasises the importance of prevention, community engagement, and technological innovation while championing equality and di...

We welcome, Neil Carberry, CEO of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), back to Voices of Care. Neil joins host Suhail Mirza for a candid conversation about workforce challenges and practical solutions for the future of healthcare staffing. They explore misconceptions about agency costs, the importance of flexible working options for healthcare professionals, and why blanket restri...

In this powerful episode of the #VoicesofCare podcast, host Suhail Mirza is joined by Sue Ryder CEO, James Sanderson. They explore the current crisis in end-of-life care, the £8 billion economic impact of grief, and Sue Ryder's bold vision for integrating hospice care into hospitals. Their in-depth discussion covers vital topics impacting healthcare in the UK, such as the need for better palliativ...

We welcome Louise Stead, Chief Executive of Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, back to #VoicesofCare for another insightful episode. Louise offers a candid exploration of the healthcare landscape. She highlights critical challenges facing the NHS, including nursing workforce shortages, technological innovation, and the upcoming ten-year plan. Louise provides a nuanced perspective on leadership, cu...

In this insightful episode of the Voices of Care podcast, Professor Oonagh Smith (CEO of Skills for Care) and Sir David Pearson (Co-Chair, Skills for Care) tackle the critical challenges facing the social care workforce, unveiling a comprehensive strategy to address recruitment issues, skills development, and future needs. They discuss the urgent need to transform social care, emphasising the pote...

In this Voices of Care podcast, GMC Chief Charlie Massey discusses the expanding roles of physician associates, concerns around medical workforce inequality and retention, and the importance of compassionate leadership in addressing these challenges. Massey outlines the GMC's regulatory priorities and the broader reforms underway as the NHS navigates workforce pressures and aims to deliver high-qu...

On this episode of the Voices of Care podcast, Rima Makarem, Chair of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, discusses transforming healthcare delivery, tackling health inequalities, improving mental health services through digital innovation, and creating new pathways for workforce development. With her unique background in life sciences and healthcare leadership, Rima offer...

In this episode of the Voices of Care podcast, NHS England Chair Richard Meddings discusses the current state and future of the NHS with host Suhail Mirza. He highlights record levels of healthcare delivery despite challenges, major structural changes to improve efficiency, and key priorities like workforce planning and technological innovation. Meddings also shares his vision for leveraging tools...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Voices of Care podcast, Professor Joy Warmington, CEO of brap, discusses the critical issue of racism in healthcare with host Suhail Mirza. Warmington challenges conventional thinking, arguing that we must move beyond simply being "not racist" to actively "anti-racist." She unpacks complex topics including race as a social construct, systemic barriers in he...

In this episode of Voices of Care, host Suhail Mirza interviews Andrea Kinkade, CEO of Lifeways Group. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the UK's social care sector, focusing on services for adults with complex needs. Kinkade shares insights on improving hospital discharge, the importance of personalised care, and the need for better recognition of social care expertise.

In this episode of Voices of Care, host Suhail Mirza interviews Mark Cubbon, CEO of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. They discuss the scale and services provided by the trust, the need to plan for a growing and diverse population in Manchester, and the importance of collaboration and innovation to drive the future of social care. Mark also talks about addressing health inequalities with...

In the latest episode of the Voices of Care podcast, host Suhail Mirza interviews Salma Yasmeen, CEO of Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust. They discuss the trust's comprehensive mental health and learning disability services, the challenges and improvements in mental health care, and the importance of integrated care systems. Salma shares insights on workforce development, addr...

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 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 expa...

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...

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.  

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 commissi...