Take a Moment, with NCH&C: Recent Episodes
Miranda Gretton
Take a Moment with NCH&C - A podcast from Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS trust where we take a moment to delve into the hot topics affecting our workforce. we talk to real staff and colleagues about the issues affecting YOU. Listen on your drive between patients or on your downtime – Whenever you get the chance to Take a Moment.
In this episode of the podcast, released in recognition of Armed Forces Day, Group Chief Information Officer Sarah Buchan sits down with Dom, Sharon, and Thomas - members of staff networks from NCH&C and CCS. Together, they discuss the launch of the new Armed Forces Aware network and the vital role staff networks play in fostering inclusion, building community, and supporting colleagues with shared experiences.
Later in the episode, Vicky speaks with Dr. Caroline Kavanagh, Group Medical Director, during the opening of the Willow Therapy Unit. Dr. Kavanagh reflects on her first year in the role, sharing insights into her journey and vision for the future.
Finally, we spotlight innovation in community physiotherapy. Tom Bamford is joined by Kevin Trueman, MSK Business Manager, to explore MSK Community Assessment Days - a new approach that has helped over 600 patients across Norfolk and Waveney in the past year. Tune in to hear how the initiative has evolved and what’s been learned so far.
This time on the Handover:
- We caught up with Helen and Katy whose lives were turned upside down when Katy contracted flu last year. This winter the UK saw a significant increase in flu cases across, with the number of people in hospital in England with flu four times higher than at this point last year. At the same time, uptake of the flu vaccine nationally has been lower than in previous years. Laura talked to Helen and Katy about why getting vaccinated is so important, even if you think you are fit and healthy.
- Tom meets Anita Pisani, currently Deputy CEO and Director of Workforce at Cambridgeshire Community Services, and from 1 April 2025 Group Deputy CEO and Chief People Officer for our new group.
In this special audio interview, Tom meets Anita Pisani, currently Deputy CEO and Director of Workforce at Cambridgeshire Community Services, and from 1 April 2025 Group Deputy CEO and Chief People Officer for our new group.
In this special short episode of The Handover we’re handing over a few quick updates to see you through to the New Year. You can find out more about all the stories featured in this episode here.
This time on the Handover:
- We say thanks to our Urgent Community Response team for their participation in a national TV news story. Watch the Channel 5 news piece here: Our Urgent Community Response team is keeping patients safe at home over the festive season - YouTube.
You can find out more about the roles available in this team here.
- Fine artist Carl Rowe talks about his installation at the Willow Therapy Unit
- Carols at Norwich Community Hospital and a Christmas message from our Chief Exec, Matthew Winn
In this episode, host Lydia, our Communications and Marketing Assistant, takes us through key campaigns and projects from October and November.
- We join Nick and Chioma during Freedom to Speak Up Month as they discuss the importance of NHS staff having a voice that counts, and share how they celebrate and support staff across the organisation.
- Rowena and Philip from our Wheelchair Assessment Service team, and Kimberley from the Service Improvement Team, provide updates about the service improvement project.
- In honour of Community Health and Care Day, colleagues share why they love working in community health and care, highlighting the dedication and passion behind the work they do every day.
In this episode we catch up on the key projects at NCH&C:
- Project Manager, Jayne Rose, takes us on a tour of the Willow Therapy Unit as the state-of-the-art centre nears completion
- CEO Matthew Winn is interviewed by colleagues Sam Hobdell from NCH&C, and Ash Sumbhoolaul from Cambridgeshire Community Trust (CCS) about our two trusts forming a group
- Kate Pontin, Operational Director of Transformation and Delivery, updates us about the progress made so far on the Better For All community nursing and therapy design programme
- We join Community Physio, Katy Turner, on her patient visits in Norwich to find out more about the importance of treating people in their homes
Colleagues Ash from CCS, and Sam from NCH&C, talk to our Chief Exec, Matthew Winn, about any further questions they have following the recent announcement that CCS and NCH&C will be creating an NHS Group together.
A Tour of Birch Unit, North Walsham's Legacy, and NHS Uniform Conversations
In this episode, we catch up with the following colleagues:
- Carolyn Fowler, Director of Nursing and Quality, and Rob Mack, Director of Community Health and Social Care Operations, have a tour of the Birch Unit with Unit Lead, Luciano Pitasi.
- Melissa Taylor, Communications & Marketing Manager, pays a special visit to North Walsham War Memorial Hospital in celebration of the site's centenary.
- Colleagues share their opinions on the new national NHS uniform at the first uniform drop in session in Norwich.
A Tour of Birch Unit, North Walsham's Legacy, and NHS Uniform Conversations.In this episode, we catch up with the following colleagues:
- Carolyn Fowler, Director of Nursing and Quality, and Rob Mack, Director of Community Health and Social Care Operations, have a tour of the Birch Unit with Unit Lead, Luciano Pitasi.
- Melissa Taylor, Communications & Marketing Manager, pays a special visit to North Walsham War Memorial Hospital in celebration of the site's centenary.
Colleagues who attended the recent Quality Improvement Showcase Event share their opinions on the new national NHS uniform.
We talked to colleagues in Norwich, North Walsham, Kelling, and NNUH about what it’s really like working in admin within the NHS, exploring both the rewarding and challenging aspects of the job.
Dedicated to keeping conversations flowing at NCH&C, we’re excited to unveil the all new trust podcast: The Handover.
The Handover is all about having conversations with staff. We want it to be two way in that staff are handing over information to us, and we can do the same to staff via an easily accessible platform. Our last podcast was incredibly popular with colleagues and we hope the new format of The Handover will be as useful and engaging.
The 25-minute podcast episodes aim to be useful and interesting. Something staff like to listen to and take something from.
If you have ideas about what we should cover in The Handover, or you’d like us to come out and interview your team about your work, get in touch.
In the first episode of The Handover, we feature:
- An insightful visit to Norwich Community Hospital, North Walsham, Kelling, and NNUH to discover what it’s really like working in admin within the NHS, exploring both the rewarding and challenging aspects of the job.
- Carolyn Fowler, Director of Nursing and Quality, and Rob Mack, Director of Community Health and Social Care Operations, sharing important updates for our frontline colleagues.
- A special trip to Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse with Melissa Taylor, Communications and Marketing Manager, and Laura McCarthy, Digital Communications Officer, accompanied by NCH&C nurses, to experience the new exhibition “Making the Rounds – Stories of Workhouse Nurses Told in Textiles” in celebration of International Nurses’ Day.
Tune in for these stories and more as we dive into the heart of our community and the people who make it all happen. Don’t miss it!
We’re starting a new design programme aimed at improving clarity on core pathways and priorities, and reducing pressure on our Community Nursing Teams (CNTs). In our first episode of the Handover, Carolyn Fowler (Director of Nursing & Quality) and Rob Mack (Director of Community Health & Social Care Operations) sat down to discuss the reasons why we're launching the Better for All projects, and some of the changes we're hoping to roll out to enhance patient care and improve staff experience.
Returning to practice is an option for individuals who are trained clinicians but may have left the professional body registration for various reasons. Depending on how long they’ve been away, they have to do a certain number of hours to regain their registration. Jessica Belmonte has recently completed her return to practice hours, and talks with Clinical Educator Zoe Carroll about how she has found the process and her reasons for wanting to come back to clinical practice.
Service Lead Andrew Karrouze talks about Virtual Ward - an exciting new ‘step-up’ or ‘hospital at home’ service to prevent avoidable hospital admissions.
NCH&C's vision is to provide seamless health and social care that creates healthier futures for everyone across Norfolk and Waveney.
Our strategy for 2023-27 reflects our ambition to work closely with partners while ensuring the care we deliver meets the highest standards and embraces the use of technology.
In this episode, CEO Stephen Collman reflects on how the strategy took shape and what he learned from hosting a series of feedback sessions with staff across the trust.
Julian began his journey with the NHS when he was just 17 years old. He’s now 74 and still loves his job as a Podiatrist. In this special episode to mark 75 years of the NHS, Julian reflects on his career and the changes he has seen since starting his Chiropody training in 1966.
5 July 2023 marks 75 years of the National Health Service.
Treating over a million people a day in England, the NHS touches all our lives. When it was founded in 1948, the NHS was the first universal health system to be available to all, free at the point of delivery. Today, nine in 10 people agree that healthcare should be free of charge, more than four in five agree that care should be available to everyone, and that the NHS makes them most proud to be British.
TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode we discuss suicide and self harm
NCH&C Autism and Mental health nurse Rob Barker speaks openly and honestly about living and working as an Autistic person, and the severe struggles he has faced with his mental health over the years.
In this episode, Community Learning Disabilities Nurse Andrea Burrows talks about the preceptorship programme for newly qualified nurses with NCH&C, and how she received a later in life diagnosis of ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia whilst completing her course.
Amie Swithenbank, Head of Children & Young People Services and Matthew Reading from Norfolk County Council discuss Flourish and how important this initiative is to the children and young people of Norfolk and Waveney.
Flourish
Launched last year, Flourish is a Children and Young Peoples Partnership Strategy with the aim of enabling all children and young people in Norfolk to thrive. It has been developed for children and young people by children and young people and has been inspired by the things young people have told us are most important to them.
NCH&C has developed a Flourish Pledge, formulated in consultation with Norfolk County Council and using feedback from NCH&C’s Children’s Services team leaders. The quality improvement agenda and operational priorities for Children’s Services have also informed the pledge. We will be required to demonstrate progress against our pledge in the coming year.
Read more about Flourish here.
For more information, please contact: Amie Swithenbank Head of Service – Children’s and Young People Services, Adult respite, and Trust Admin.
To celebrate Pride Month 2023, we spoke to Respiratory Nurse Specialist Ashley Ho, who has recently been appointed co-chair of the NCH&C LGBTQ+ Staff Network, about their lived experience, and what Pride means to them.
Click here to visit the We Care microsite on our NCH&C website. Here you can see the support and resources we offer in the trust, and also read stories from staff celebrating and championing our inclusive culture.
'How to be an ally' training at NCH&C
Within NCH&C, we are proud to offer Allyship training within our teams. This training is a short workshop for individuals or groups via Microsoft Teams or in person (with enough notice). Learn about what ally ship and privilege look like to us – how we can use our privilege to become better allies to our colleagues and stronger advocates for our patients and service users. Themes explored are the 9 protected characteristics, cross cutting issues such as domestic violence, Veteran Aware, Homelessness. Internal staff can contact inclusion@nchc.nhs.uk for more information and to book onto the training.
In this special episode to mark Carers Week 2023, Miranda spoke to NNUH Staff Nurse Sarah Jervis about her experience of being a carer to her mother. Sarah talks about the challenges caring can bring, and how the introduction of the Carers Identity Passport has made a huge difference to the experience they have had when receiving care in hospital.
What is the Carers Identity Passport?
Following feedback received from carers across Norfolk, local NHS Trusts including NCH&C have been collaborating with carers and local carer organisations to co-produce a Carers Identity Passport. The Carers Identity Passport was launched in November 2022 via Carers Voice Norfolk and Waveney and funded through the Norfolk & Waveney ICB, and helps to improve identification, recognition, and support for carers. The initial phase of this project will see the introduction of the passport in Hospitals. Click here to register for a Carers Identity Passport or visit the Carers Voice website.
In this special episode to mark Carers Week 2023, Miranda spoke to Margaret Sallis, a member of our Norfolk and Waveney community, about her experience of being a carer to her husband. Margaret talks about the challenges caring can bring, and how the introduction of the Carers Identity Passport has made her feel seen and understood.
What is the Carers Identity Passport?
Following feedback received from Carers across Norfolk, local NHS Trusts including NCH&C have been collaborating with carers and local Carer Organisations to co-produce a Carers Identity Passport. The Carers Identity Passport was launched in November 2022 via Carers Voice Norfolk and Waveney and funded through the Norfolk & Waveney ICB, and helps to improve identification, recognition, and support for carers. The initial phase of this project will see the introduction of the passport in Hospitals. Click here to register for a Carers Identity Passport or visit the Carers Voice website.
15-21 May is Mental Health Awareness Week. Did you know, we have over 100 trained Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) in the trust? Have a listen to trained Mental Health First Aiders Becs Buss and Ian Bell talk about their experience of supporting staff, and what it means to be a MHFA.
In this episode, Research Nurse Adam Peel tells us what the Community Research Team are working on currently and the importance of Research to the NHS as a whole.
20th May marks Clinical Trials Day (CTD), an international commemoration of James Lind’s launch of the scurvy clinical trial on 20 May 1747, which would form the foundation for modern clinical research.
Chair of the NCH&C Board Lynda Thomas tells us about her Welsh roots, how proud she is to be working with the trust and her hopes for NCH&C moving forward.
Returning to work after maternity leave can be a stressful and emotional time. Senior Nurse Carlie Pipe from our Community Access Team talks openly about how she navigated the journey of coming back from maternity leave following the birth of her daughter.
As part of Foot Health Week 24-30 April, Podiatrist Suzanna Grimes tells us why Podiatry is a misunderstood profession, and talks about the benefits of a career in foot health. You'll be surprised!
Kat Day (South), Sare Finney (West) and Becs Mynett (North) all work in the Adult Learning Disability Speech and Language Therapy Team.They work across Norfolk to support patients witheating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, and in this episode you can hear how creative they need to be sometimes to keep the patient safe while still allowing them to enjoy food.
Swallowing Awareness Day (15th March 2023)
Swallowing Awareness Day (SAD) occurs on March 15th, taking place during the NHS Nutrition and Hydration Week from March 14th to 20th. Humans swallow between 500 to 700 times a day! SAD is an opportunity to talk about the impact of living with eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties - issues with sucking, chewing, eating, controlling saliva, taking medication, protecting lungs from food, and drink going the wrong way.
Head of Clinical Education and Research Lynne Fanning and Clinical Educator Zoe Carroll discuss the importance of clinical education to healthcare.
In this episode, Miranda is joined by Harri Smithson, Career Development Facilitator in the NCH&C Talent for Care Team. Harri talks about the various options for career progression in healthcare, including apprenticeships, and the doors they and other courses can open up for you in your career.
The Brain Tumour Charity says that 1 in 3 people they spoke to had experienced personality changes caused by a brain tumour or its treatment. Although mood changes and their severity will vary from one person to another, it's relatively common for someone with a brain tumour to experience increased aggression and anxiety.
In this episode of the trust podcast, Assistant Practitioner Adrian Willis talks openly alongside Lead Psychologist Anastasya Shepherd about how personality changes led to the discovery of a 3cm tumour on his brain.
To celebrate Stephen's one year anniversary as NCH&C CEO, he sat down with Miranda to talk about the year he's had, the challenges the trust and our staff have faced, and what he hopes to achieve in the coming months.
Richard Nash is a Specialist Physiotherapist and Orthopaedic Triage clinician within NCHC MSK Services. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease two years ago and has found painting a great help with his symptoms.
There was an article about Richard in this month’s Frontline – the magazine for members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
There is a link within the article below to some of his paintings, and the two paintings shared below were featured in the exhibition.
Click here to read the article.
Click here to follow Richard’s art journey.
Support
NHS support
Parkinsons.org.uk
Parkinsons Care and Support
Laura Button and Lianne Thompson talk about the postgraduate diploma in District Nursing course from a perspective of being three quarters of the way through the course. They are joined by Rosy Watson who completed the course in 2021. The conversation takes a surprising turn when we begin to discuss the personal benefits of having the support of your course mates to help you through, and how that comradery can’t be underestimated in a learning environment.
Clinical Educator Rebecca Galer and Registered Nursing Associate Kim Holland tell Miranda all about the Clinical Education Team, including the Trainee Nursing Associate and registered Nursing Associate roles. Kim openly talks about juggling the course work and her work and family life, and the opportunities it has opened up for her at NCH&C.
Diana Vajda and Paula McGreavy talk passionately about the Community Access Team and how much patients appreciate being able to avoid a stay at hospital where possible. This team provides a 365-day service, serving the acute hospitals and GP’s in the Norfolk and Waveney area. The service has 2 aspects, Admission Avoidance and Bed Based Community Hospital Unit admissions. The service priority is Admission Avoidance, that is unnecessary admissions into an acute hospital.
They are a multidisciplinary team, consisting of Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Assistant Practitioners based at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode tackles the theme of loss and grief in relation to death.
Podcast host Miranda Gretton opens up about her personal grief journey following the death of her brother 4 years ago. Psychological and Bereavement Lead Tracey Dryhurst joins Miranda to discuss the complexities of grief and the support available.
- The Good Grief Trust - https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/
- NHS support
- Norfolk County Council Bereavement Support page
- Bereavement support line – 0300 303 4434. Free to access from 8am to 8pm seven days a week. A confidential staff support line is operated by Hospice UK. A team of fully qualified and trained bereavement specialists are available to support you with bereavement and wellbeing issues relating to loss experienced through your work.
This is a really interesting chat with Clinical Operations Manager in the North Place, Suzie Mallett, about how her background in project management and coaching has influenced her current role back in clinical services, and how it allows her to creatively support her team.
Mental wellness with David Leaper
“Until it’s pointed out and reflected back to you, sometimes you don’t appreciate that all of those signs and symptoms are there, but you just choose to not see them.”
North Place Learning Disabilities Health Team Manager David Leaper talks about his own ‘mental un-wellness’, and how it has affected him through the years. With candid insights and tangible support ideas, David’s story is a fantastic example of how important it is for men to talk when they feel like they are struggling.
Community Practitioner Rob Blowers talks about the importance of ensuring sex education is there for our patients with learning disabilities, and how he is championing this as part of his role. He also talks about the importance of speaking out when you are struggling. Rob advocates for male health in general, both physical and mental with family and friends as well as his patients.
Community Learning Disabilities Nurse Bethany Cooper sits down for a chat about being the mother of a child with autism whilst also working for the LD service.
On the 1st November, we celebrate the second annual national Community Health and Care Day aimed at raising awareness of the breath of work Community Health and Care providers do to keep the population healthy and well.
This year the campaign will focus on the importance of partnership working to ensure people are looked after locally and kept out of hospital.
In this episode, Miranda was joined by NCH&C’s Director of Nursing Carolyn Fowler, and Executive Director of Operations at East Coast Community Healthcare Adele Made in to talk about community healthcare.
Black History Month
Time for Change: Action Not Words
In this episode, Miranda sits down with EDI Advisor Mercy Kaggwa and Clinical Quality Director Karen Bradley to discuss their experience of the trust’s Reverse Mentoring process.
To find out more about Reverse Mentoring within the trust and how to get involved, internal staff can search ‘Reverse Mentoring’ on The Loop, or contact Rebecca Buss.
In this episode, Miranda talks with Clare Fowle (Community Learning Disabilites Nurse) and Natasha Salawu (Podiatrist) about their own lived experience of the Perimenopause. They talk about the support they have had from their families, their symptoms, and why it's so important to keep the conversation going.
In this episode , released to celebrate World Menopause Day, we’re continuing the conversation about the Menopause – We want to normalise these conversations, and continue to raise awareness within NCH&C.
Someone you love, someone you know, or someone you work with will be going through the menopause – the more informed you are on this subject, the greater understanding you will have of that person.
Panel: Carey Whiteman, Catherine Haig, Anita LarkinsCatherine, Carey and Anita talk openly and honestly about the reality of living with the menopause, and how it can differ so much from person to person.
TRIGGER WARNING: BABY LOSS
“Every time I tell my story, I feel a little bit lighter” – In this episode, Sharon Goddard tells us her story of how 15 years ago her daughter Lily was stillborn.
Sadly, the death of a baby is not rare. Every day in the UK around 13 babies die before, during or soon after birth. That means nearly every two hours a family is faced with the devastation of the death of their baby.
In support of our staff and patient community this podcast episode highlights a very real experience which we hope brings understanding, comfort, and a renewed ability to reach out if you require support and to speak openly when you have the strength.
Join the wave of light 15th October 7pm. Light a candle in memory of all babies’ lives gone too soon.
- Please think about fathers that are experiencing pregnancy and infant loss https://dadmatters.org.uk/loss/
- https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/
- https://www.sands.org.uk/
In this episode, Miranda talks to Non-executive directors and board members Njoki Yaxley and John Kennedy about how we make NCH&C a fully anti racist organisation. We discuss some of the challenges our staff face and what we intend to do about them, and the support that is available for staff within NCH&C.
Miranda was joined by Katie Treutler, Colleen Giacomelli and Jane Johnson from the Post Covid-19 Service to shine a spotlight on this NCH&C service. What is the post Covid service? What is the difference between Covid and long Covid? What can people do to self-treat? Take a moment to listen and better understand this service.
Useful online resources -
Your Covid Recovery – https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/
Knowledge Anglia - https://www.knowledgeanglia.nhs.uk/
In this episode, Miranda and Mercy have an open and frank conversation about the impact of civility and respect, the power of our language and the importance of seeing situations from both sides.
https://www.civilitysaveslives.com/
In this episode, Miranda talks to Occupational Therapist Jade Dias about being on maternity leave when she received a cancer diagnosis.
In this bitesize episode, Miranda speaks to Nursing Assistant Practitioner about why it's never too late to go for an apprenticeship, and the opportunities this can present for you in your career.
In this episode, Miranda talks to Community Speech and Language therapist Karen Young about her experience of the perimenopause, what it is, and how Karen copes at work with her symptoms.
In this episode, Miranda speaks to Jacqueline Roper (Occupational Therapist) and Suzanne Shutt (FCP in MSK physio service) about their experience of the perimenopause. Suzanne is not experiencing Perimenopause yet, but has been researching it so that she can help herself, colleagues and friends feel ready for it. Jacqueline is going through it, and tells us how she is listening to her body and understanding her hormones to help her with her symptoms.
In this episode, I’m joined by our Director of Nursing and Quality, Carolyn Fowler, to talk about her career and what being a leader means to her.
Refresh month is predominantly about reflecting -taking what we have learned over the past two years and using it to inform change, but also remembering how we used to work and what we could potentially reinstate. In this episode, Miranda chats to Carolyn Fowler (Director of Nursing and Quality) and Helen Bradley (Quality Matron for Children's services and Mill Lodge) about what Refresh Month means for the trust.
Reflect
Let's stand back and take stock of what we have achieved. What works better now, what have we learned from the last two years?
Restore
What did we do before the pandemic? Can we now restore some of the ways we used to work? How can we create a resilient and rewarding work environment for the future?
Revive
It's time to make new plans, spruce up our ways of working, trim back the restrictions and grow our practices.
Thrive
We want our staff to feel supported and enthused to make positive change to deliver the very best patient care.
In this episode, Miranda talks to Service Improvement Manager Clemence Engamba about juggling family life with a career, and the difference flexible working opportunities have made to working parents lives.
In this episode, Miranda speaks to Melissa Goodall - Lead Learning Disabilities Dietitian about what it's like working in the LD Service. Melissa talks of some of the challenges, but also the motivators, and what she thinks others could do to support people with learning disabilities.
In this episode I talk to Learning Disabilities nurse Ella Purnell about her work at Mill Lodge - our adult LD respite service. Ella is passionate about working with people with learning disabilities, and talks about what she has learned during her time with NCH&C.
In this episode, I talk to male colleagues specifically about Men’s Health at work, and how staff can give themselves an all important Man MOT while having a busy working life.
Men’s Health Forum research shows that a major factor to poor men’s health is a reluctance to take time off work – particularly for mental health issues. And it seems like it’s a fear that may well be justified.
A third - 34% - of working-age men would be embarrassed or ashamed to take time off work for mental health issue such as anxiety or depression compared to only 13% for a physical injury.
With:
Nijck Bowman – Learning Disability Nurse & Freedom to Speak Up Guardian
Robert Bacon – Head of Estates & Facilities
Edward Reed – Community Learning Disability Nurse
In this panel discussion episode, I sit down with 4 male colleagues to discuss Men's health Week - why men don't go to the doctor as much as women, what the barriers are to looking after your health when you work busy shifts, and how you can spot the signs of a mental health concern in your friendship group.
With:
- Ian Bell - Head of Service for Adult Community Learning Disability Services
- Steve Worley – head of Procurement
- Alan Dawson – Strategic Finance Manager
- Ewan Ford – rotational physiotherapist for Learning Disability Service
Trigger warning: talk of blood in urine and mental health
In this episode, I talk to HR , EDI and Talent for Care colleagues about the process of recruitment into the trust, and whether it is a fair process for those living with disabilities or long term health conditions.
Useful email addresses related to this podcast -
hrservicesupport@nchc.nhs.uk
wellbeing@nchc.nhs.uk
careerdevelopment@nchc.nhs.uk
In this episode, I talk to Emma Clark from Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, and NCH&C's EDI Advisor Mercy Kaggwa, about what is meant by the term ‘A Sense of Belonging’, and the work Emma is doing across the ICS as a whole to support staff to feel that they can be truly authentic at work.
In this episode, I talk to Abi Adams-Orme, Staff Engagement Manager for the trust, about what staff engagement is, how it can help make you better at your job, and why it can sometimes be difficult to engage with everyone.
In this episode, I chat to the new ambassadors for the LGBTQ+ staff network - Ellie Howard and Katrina Stockton. Ellie and Katrina talk to Miranda about their own lived experiences and their hopes for the network. We discuss coming out at work, the support that's available, what allyship means and why it's so important.
In this episode, Miranda speaks to Nigerian nurse Nuella Ibezim, about her journey to becoming a registered nurse in Norfolk, and how she has found her experience so far.
In this episode, NCH&C specialist dietitian Sejal Jacob discusses diet and nutrition for our busy work force. Sejal has over 10 years experience within various dietetic specialties.
In this special slightly longer panel discussion episode, I speak to female colleagues from NCH&C about the different sorts of bias that women experience in the workplace, in support of International Women’s Day 2022.
breakthebias #IWD22
In this episode, Miranda sat down for a chat with our Director of HR and Organisational Development, Liz Cooke. Find out how Liz moved from nursing to HR, what she has learned along the way, and what allyship means to her.
In this episode, I speak to the chairs of two of our staff networks (Diverse Abilities and Diverse Heritage) about why NCH&C has networks, why staff should join them, and the changes these ambassadors are hoping the networks will affect.
In this episode, I’m joined by actor, performer, director and producer Chris Rankin. For 11 years, Chris played the role of Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise. He now lives in South Wales, but once upon a time, we actually went to school together. We sit down for a long overdue catch up about Harry Potter, wellbeing and Chris’ allyship to the LGBTQ+ community.
In this episode, I’m joined by a member of our Exec team – Laura Clear, to talk about her career and what being a leader means to her.
In this episode, I’m joined by our Medical Director – Venu Harilal, to talk about his career and what being a leader means to him.
In this new series of the podcast, I sit down with some more senior members of staff to find out what makes them tick, and how they made their way into their leadership roles.
In this episode, I speak to NCH&C's new Chief Exec Stephen Collman, just a week into his new role at the trust.
In this episode, I talk to Joanne Green, senior co-ordinator for the Out of Hours team, about how they triage, and the difference the Ageing Well programme has brought to the teams who deliver an urgent community response to our patients. Internal staff can visit the dedicated Intranet page http://intranet/ageing-well-and-urgent-community-response/ for more information.
In this episode, we hear from Alan Kirton (Emergency Planning Manager) and Stuart Michaels (Health and Safety Officer) about safety at the trust, and how emergency planning and reporting of issues is so important, especially in the winter months. Alan and Stuart also talk about some hints and tips for staying safe when out in the community.
See below for some of the resources mentioned in this episode.
- Suzy Lamplugh Trust
- Met office weather app
- Local police services
Internal staff can search the global address book for the H&S Team and Emergency planning office contact details.
In this episode, I talk to Mark Rowlands and Vicky Aspinall from Safeguarding about Domestic Abuse. If you have been affected by any of the topics discussed in this episode, and you are a member of NCH&C staff, please contact the safeguarding team or search for Safeguarding on the staff Intranet. You can also find further support on local Domestic abuse charities such as Leeway and the Pandora Project and national resources on the NHS website.
Visit the women’s aid website for information on how to browse support websites safely.
In this episode, Alan Dawson from our Finance team (who just happens to be a qualified gym instructor and personal trainer) talks about health and fitness – why men in particular are so bad at taking their issues to their GP, but also some of the less obvious benefits of exercise, how we can fit it into our daily life, and how to find your own motivators.
DISCLAIMER: For people with no known health conditions, increasing activity levels carries far fewer health risks than potential benefits. When participating in physical activity, you should gradually build up from your current ability level.
There are some people who should consult with their doctor to clarify if it is safe for them to become physically active in their current state of health. These include:
· People with any diagnosed metabolic, pulmonary or cardiovascular disease.
· People with several risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as inactivity. high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, stress and a family history of CVD.
· People with injuries that may be aggravated by exercise.
· People over the age of 69.Wellbeing pages
Flexible working policy (internal staff only)
In this episode, Clinical Operations Manager Laura Palmer tells us about her experience of being a line manager to staff experiencing the menopause, and what the trust has done to support her in supporting them.
In this episode, Miranda talks to Jess Brunet (ANP and clinical lead for the ADHD nursing service within community paediatrics) and Nijck Bowman (Freedom to Speak Up Guardian and Community Learning Disability nurse) about their experience of working with patients living with disabilities, and how far we’ve come with inclusivity as a trust.
This recording is an exercise in Self Compassion that you can try.
NOTE: Do not listen to this if you are driving! Pull over and find a safe spot before you practice this exercise.
In this extended episode, I speak to Research nurse Donna Clements about Self Compassion. What it is, the importance of practising it, and how it can help our wellbeing.
Click here for more details on Dr. Kristin Neff’s work - https://self-compassion.org/ where there are resources including guided exercises.
Donna also referenced Civility in the workplace. Click here for more information on how Civility can save lives - https://www.civilitysaveslives.com/
Donna has also recorded an exercise you can try to help you practise self compassion. Have a look at the podcast page for this recording.
The pandemic has highlighted that speaking up has never been more important for the benefit of colleagues and patients. October was Speak Up Month, but also Black History Month, and this is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness of how much we value speaking up at NCH&C.
In this episode, Mercy Kaggwa and Nijck Bowman talk about Freedom to Speak Up as a whole, but also how we can ensure voices from our staff from diverse backgrounds are heard.
For more information, NCH&C staff can search for Freedom to Speak Up on our Intranet.
In this episode, I talk to a member of NCH&C staff who wishes to remain anonymous about her experience of the menopause.
To mark our Black History Month week 3 theme of International recruitment, we have recorded a special extended episode – a panel discussion with staff from NCH&C, NNUH and the Norfolk & Waveney Healthcare Partnership.
The video mentioned in the podcast, with previous international recruit Kudzai, can be viewed here - https://youtu.be/8yDPv1jqneY
This is the first of a spin off series of the podcast, on the theme of Menopause - Menopause & Me. In this episode we talk to one of our Nursing Assistants, Lesley Luscher from Foxley Ward in Dereham about managing the symptoms on Menopause on a busy night shift, and how important it is to continue having these conversations with our staff, managers and even our patients!
In today’s episode, we talk about the Menopause – we listen to real staff experiences, their preconceptions and perceptions, and think about how we can normalise conversations and raise awareness within NCH&C.
Menopause is a subject we should all be aware of, including our male colleagues, so we can support our colleagues, friends and family, but also look after ourselves.
6 out of 10 women say their menopause symptoms have a negative impact on their work.
The majority of women are unwilling to disclose menopause-related health problems to their line managers.
With 8 out of 10 women of menopausal age IN work, if you’re listening to this podcast today you will likely work with someone who has or is experiencing some form of symptoms.
In this episode, we talk about men’s mental health, and how we can understand the challenges faced by our busy male colleagues.
We’re joined by two guests – Ian Bell, Head of Learning Disabilities at NCH&C, and Nick Little Founder of the 12th Man Campaign.
To find out more about the 12th Man Campaign, visit https://12th-man.org.uk/
Visit the NCHC Intranet for more information on support and wellbeing resources.