Health on the Line

A fortnightly podcast offering fresh perspectives on the healthcare challenges of our time and ways to confront them. 
test

In this podcast our chief executive, Matthew Taylor, interviews the movers and shakers making waves across health and care.

Listen to the latest episode

Subscribe for new episodes

Free to listen, every fortnight. Subscribe to get new episodes on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. 

Get in touch

Do you have a question about the podcast or want to share your feedback? Please email us.

Episode list

Anna Parry, Alistair McLellan and Patricia Miller
Audio

Episode 67: Holding NHS leaders to account: how far should journalists go?

Anna Parry on ambulance winter waiting times, Alastair McLellan on NHS leadership and quick-fire questions for Patricia Miller.

Headshot of Stephanie Cartwright and Tracey Bleakley
Podcast

Episode 66: How important is integration at place level?

Stephanie Cartwright on why place is the engine room of integration and Tracey Bleakley fields quick-fire questions from Matthew Taylor.

Headshots of Chris Smyth, Stacey Hunter and Paul Roberts
Podcast

Episode 65: Is shared NHS leadership the new norm?

Chris Smyth on health and the economy and Stacey Hunter and Paul Roberts on shared leadership models in the NHS

Headshot of Patricia Miller and Sally Gainsbury
Podcast

Episode 64: Decoding what Reeves’ historic Budget means for the NHS

Unpacking the implications of the Autumn Budget and shift towards preventative care with Sally Gainsbury and Patricia Miller.

Penny Dash
Podcast

Episode 63: What's next for CQC after systemic failings found?

Dr Penny Dash on her findings of the CQC and a panel discussion on the future of neighbourhood health.

Dr Kathy Mclean
Podcast

Episode 62: Two years on, are integrated care systems fit for purpose?

Dr Kathy McLean on the impact of integrated care systems and Bridget Gorham on returns to the economy of investing in women's health services.

Headshot of Hannah Farrar and Siva Anandaciva
Podcast

Episode 61: The 18-week challenge: getting elective care waiting times into shape

Hannah Farrar and Siva Anandaciva on what's needed to transform waiting times and reflections on the Darzi review.

Alan Milburn headshot
Podcast

Episode 60: Can the NHS be an agent of economic growth?

Rt Hon Alan Milburn on tackling economic inactivity and learning the lessons from the pioneering Pathways to Work Commission.

Headshot of Paul Mears and Chris Thomas
Podcast

Episode 59: ICSs need vision, leadership and to challenge norms

Paul Mears and Chris Thomas on how integrated care systems can thrive and drive health and prosperity.

Headshot of Kevin Fenton
Podcast

Episode 58: Professor Kevin Fenton: Healthy people are productive people

Professor Kevin Fenton on public health, the building blocks of a healthy society and learning the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Headshot of Natasha Curry and Sam Freedman
Podcast

Episode 57: What did the King’s Speech say about the new government, and what next on social care?

Sam Freedman and Natasha Curry unpack the King's Speech and early signs from the new government on social care.

Headshot of Paul Corrigan and Isabel Hardman
Podcast

Episode 56: Avoiding short-termism in the NHS

Paul Corrigan and Isabel Hardman reflect on what the new government means for the health and care sector.

Headshots of Anita Charlesworth and Carl Emmerson
Podcast

Episode 55: The state of public finances: what will the next government inherit?

Anita Charlesworth and Carl Emmerson on the fiscal outlook facing a new government and what that might mean for health and social care.

Victoria Macdonald, Matthew Taylor and Richard Sloggett seated at a table recording a podcast
Podcast

Episode 54: Battle for the NHS? Dissecting plans for the future of health and care

Victoria Macdonald and Richard Sloggett consider the future of the NHS in the context of the general election.

Headshot of Sir Norman Lamb and Matthew Bolton
Podcast

Episode 53: Does the NHS have a listening problem?

Sir Norman Lamb and Matthew Bolton on a unique approach to community engagement in South London, and Sally Gainsbury on the NHS's financial outlook.

Headshot of Matthew Trainer
Podcast

Episode 52: Leadership in testing times

The London-based chief executive discusses his trust's improvement journey amid challenging circumstances.

Headshot of Lotte Steuten
Podcast

Episode 51: Exploring the economic and social value of vaccinations

Lotte Steuten and Chris Thomas on the broader value of vaccinations and the interplay with health, work and prosperity.

Headshots of Kate Duxbury and James Frayne
Podcast

Episode 50: Public attitudes to the NHS: A love-lament relationship?

Kate Duxbury and James Frayne on how the public really feel about the NHS and what that might mean for the upcoming election.

Professor Aruna Garcea
Podcast

Episode 49: Navigating the future of primary care in England

Prof Aruna Garcea on the opportunities and challenges facing primary care.

Headshot of Dr Rachel Clarke
Podcast

Episode 48: How the pandemic unfolded in the NHS

Dr Rachel Clarke on the pandemic, its toll and the unspoken conversation the health service needs to have.

Headshot of Steve Russell
Podcast

Episode 47: Vaccination should be more present in national discourse

Steve Russell on the vaccination strategy, improving access and how integrated care systems can shift the dial.

Panel speakers seated (L-R): Jacob Lant, Haris Sultan, Oliver Coppard, Marsha McAdam, Leonora Volpe
Podcast

Episode 46: How the NHS can better engage with citizens and communities

Five guests share their views on changing the relationship between the NHS, citizens and communities.

Headshot of Jane Padmore
Podcast

Episode 45: The joy and fulfilment of working for people with a learning disability

Dr Jane Padmore on learning disabilities, inequalities, autism and neurodiversity.

Headshots of Sam Allen and Penny Pereira
Podcast

Episode 44: Improvement is more than an add on or ‘nice to have’

Sam Allen and Penny Pereira on improvement at system level, the untapped potential and the power of community.

Chris Ham
Podcast

Episode 43: We need a culture of commitment to improvement, not compliance

Prof Sir Chris Ham on system improvement, good practice and shifting the dial on health outcomes.

Headshot of Lord Markham CBE
Podcast

Episode 42: NHS capital, innovation and economic regeneration

Lord Markham on the New Hospitals Programme, digital and innovation, and the NHS's role in economic regeneration.

Headshot of Dr Geraldine Strathdee
Podcast

Episode 41: The data dilemma: does data help or hinder patient care in mental health?

Dr Geraldine Strathdee discusses the key themes, findings and recommendations from her review into data on mental health inpatient settings.

Seated panel on a raised stage. L-R: James Sanderson, Karen Jackson, Mathew Taylor, Miriam Deakin and Daniel Elkeles
Podcast

Episode 40: Is health beyond the hospital the key to alleviating system pressures?

Local and national leaders explore the role and value of care outside of hospitals and the impact it makes to patients, staff and the wider system.

Isabel Hardman headshot
Podcast

Episode 39: We go too far with the ‘NHS as a religion’ analogy

Isabel Hardman on the history of the NHS, the politics at play and the lessons learned.

Group standing and smiling. From left to right: Patrick Vernon, Kevin Lavery, Matthew Taylor and Amanda Sullivan.
Podcast

Episode 38: Integrated care systems: one year on

Three system leaders share their views on integrated care systems a year on from their formal establishment, unpacking what works and where next.

Headshot of Dr Raghib Ali
Podcast

Episode 37: We need a cross-society effort to improve health

Dr Raghib Ali on preventative healthcare, the role of data, and why a more nuanced approach to health inequalities is needed.

Dr Neil Modha
Podcast

Episode 36: We’ve tailored our workforce to the needs of our population

Dr Neil Modha on primary care entrepreneurship, population health and innovations in workforce and estates.

Dr Elliot Street headshot with arms folded
Podcast

Episode 35: Reimagining surgical training

Dr Elliot Street on the journey from clinician to entrepreneur and turning surgical training on its head.

Baroness Dambisa Moyo headshot
Podcast

Episode 34: Health and economic growth – a vital connection

Baroness Dambisa Moyo on growth, productivity and the post-pandemic world.

Headshot of Patricia Hewitt
Podcast

Episode 33: There’s a real chance to tackle health differently this time

Patricia Hewitt on how integrated care systems can support people to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

Tom Loosemore and Deborah El-Sayed headshots
Podcast

Episode 32: The digital transformation gambit: simpler, faster, safer services?

Tom Loosemore and Deborah El-Sayed on how integrated care boards can capitalise on the digital revolution.

Miriam González Durántez
Podcast

Episode 31: We still do not have equal opportunities

Miriam González Durántez on equity, diversity and how to effect change.

Headshot of Daniel Elkeles
Podcast

Episode 30: The biggest barrier we have is thinking in silos

Daniel Elkeles on why primary care is central to urgent and emergency care transformation, industrial action and the impact on long-term recovery.

Headshot of Kate Bingham
Podcast

Episode 29: The regulator moved from being a policeman to an air traffic controller

Dame Kate Bingham on the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientific response and how the effective application of science can be mission critical.

Headshot of Patricia Hewitt
Podcast

Episode 28: Influencing the way ICSs work and how the centre works with them

Patricia Hewitt on the critical enablers integrated care systems (ICSs) need to succeed.

Headshots of Andy Bell and Marsha McAdam
Podcast

Episode 27: A vision for mental health, autism and learning disability services

Andy Bell and Marsha McAdam on how to transform mental health, autism and learning disability services over the next decade.

Headshots of Joan Saddler and Lena Samuels
Podcast

Episode 26: Supporting healthcare organisations to eliminate racism

Joan Saddler and Lena Samuels on tackling racism and the role of healthcare organisations, systems and leaders.

Suzanne Mason headshot
Podcast

Episode 25: Corridor medicine could help with ambulance handover delays

Professor Suzanne Mason on corridor care, demand management, patient handovers and an urgent and emergency care system on the brink.

Adam Doyle headshot
Podcast

Episode 24: ICSs aren’t just about holding people to account but helping people to change

Adam Doyle on winter planning, partnership working and leading for success.

Isabel Hardman headshot
Podcast

Episode 23: The NHS is being failed by not reforming social care

Journalist Isabel Hardman on politics, social care and what lies ahead for the NHS.

Joe Rafferty
Podcast

Episode 22: Use population health as a driving device for population equality

Prof Joe Rafferty on the power of population health management, a decade of NHS leadership and managing risk this winter and beyond.

General Sir Gordon Messenger headshot
Podcast

Episode 21: The workforce deserves the best leadership they can have

Sir Gordon on leadership, equality and diversity and why a focus on leadership and workforce is utterly central to better patient outcomes.

Tim Oliver headshot
Podcast

Episode 20: No organisation within the whole ecosystem can do it on its own

Tim Oliver on improving health outcomes, avoiding turf wars and articulating the difference between ICPs and ICBs.

Matthew Taylor, Tayo Kufeji, Louise Ansari and Simon Whitehouse sat at table with audio recording equipment
Podcast

Episode 19: What should the refreshed NHS Long Term Plan look like?

With the NHS Long Term Plan set for a refresh later this year, three healthcare leaders share their hopes and fears for the post-pandemic plan.

Dr Nikki Kanani
Podcast

Episode 18: Understand what primary care looks like in your system

Dr Nikki Kanani on the future of primary care, lessons from the pandemic, clinical leadership and population health management.

Gregor Henderson
Podcast

Episode 17: Mental health is just part of what it means to be human

Gregor Henderson on digital innovation, health inequalities and investment in the wider determinants of mental health.

Headshot of Donna Hall
Podcast

Episode 16: Let's think longer term about how we build resilient communities

Professor Donna Hall on community engagement, building resilient communities, and why integrated care systems need to ask themselves tough questions.

Susanna Stanford
Podcast

Episode 15: Patient safety – understanding good intent should be the starting point for conversation

Susanna Stanford on patient safety, open cultures, lived experience and the importance of patient voice.

Sir Richard Leese
Podcast

Episode 14: COVID-19 has made us realise all parts of the system are equally important

Sir Richard Leese on provider collaboratives, tough decisions, devolution and lessons learnt from COVID-19.

Charlotte Augst
Podcast

Episode 13: The NHS can't do it alone, it needs to invest in partnerships

Charlotte Augst on the pandemic, living with COVID-19, health inequalities and linking people with lived experience with health professionals.

Kiran Patel
Podcast

Episode 12: Apply social value judgements to tackle inequalities

Professor Kiran Patel on health inequalities, population health, digital delivery, and the role of the centre.

Headshot of Dame Jackie Daniel
Podcast

Episode 11: ‘Rinse and repeat’ won’t wash for dealing with the backlog

Dame Jackie Daniel on Geordie Hospital, the NHS planning guidance, tackling the backlog, partnership working and central and local leadership.

Uday Bose
Podcast

Episode 10: Medicine is important, but the ecosystem around patients needs to be addressed

Uday Bose on innovation, vaccines, working in partnership with the pharmaceutical sector and focusing on patient experience.

Dr David Oliver
Podcast

Episode 9: If we really want to focus on prevention, we've got to put our money where our mouth

Dr David Oliver on rethinking approaches to delayed discharges, opportunities for better partnership working and experiences of the COVID-19 frontline.

Dr Kathy Mclean
Podcast

Episode 8: Accountability needs to be to the people that we serve

Dr Kathy McLean on system working, the role of the centre, health inequalities and the changing attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community.

Prof Sandeep Ranote
Podcast

Episode 7: Young people do not want to be known as the generation lost in lockdown

Professor Sandeep Ranote on clinical leadership, system working and how the pandemic has affected young people.

Chris Ham
Podcast

Episode 6: My vision is that ICSs should feel different to any organisation we've had before

Professor Sir Chris Ham on system working, NHS reform, staff wellbeing and what lies ahead for health and social care.

Trish Greenhalgh
Podcast

Episode 5: Before we talk about remote, I would like to talk about staffing

Professor Trish Greenhalgh on COVID-19 science, virtual care, scientific innovation and staff wellbeing.

Fiona Adamson
Podcast

Episode 4: We are well placed to innovate, but we need courage and experience

Fiona Adamson on GP federations, the COVID-19 vaccination programme and pressures on primary care.

Matthew Kershaw
Podcast

Episode 3: When we talk about a backlog, we're talking about patients, people who are waiting

Matthew Kershaw on recovering the elective backlog, working with local partners and serving diverse communities.

Ifti Majid
Podcast

Episode 2: To be more representative means doing things differently

Ifti Majid on leadership, organisational culture, effective boards and thinking differently.

Rob Webster
Podcast

Episode 1: I'd love us to recognise that people are our biggest asset

Rob Webster CBE on system working, lessons in leadership, COVID-19 and why the health and care workforce is the jewel in the crown.

Discover more from the NHS Confederation

Delegates at a workshop

Member forums

Convening leaders to develop solutions to shared challenges.
Delegates at the Health and Care Women Leaders Network Annual Conference 2019.

Events and networking

Hear from influential speakers, get beneath the surface of key issues and engage with leaders across the sector.

People connected by lines

Networks and countries

We meet the specific needs of different parts of our membership across the UK and Europe through our various networks and support programmes.