Voices for Safety | Improving Patient Safety, Reducing Health Inequalities

As we mark Learning Disability Week, this episode of Voices for Safety explores a critical patient safety issue: the inequalities people with a learning disability face when accessing cancer care.Host Dr Louise Gorman speaks with Dr Oliver Kennedy, an NIHR Clinical Lecturer at the University of Manchester and a Medical Oncologist at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, whose research uncovers stark inequalities across the cancer care pathway in the UK.Drawing on a large-scale NIHR-funded study of over 180,000 people with learning disabilities, Dr Kennedy explains how they are less likely to be referred for specialist tests, more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, and around half as likely to receive treatment, resulting in much shorter survival times.Together, they explore why these gaps exist – from communication challenges and diagnostic overshadowing to systemic barriers in screening and treatment – and discuss what needs to change across prevention, diagnosis, and care to create a more equitable system.Released during Learning Disability Week 2026, this episode highlights the urgent need for more inclusive, accessible healthcare systems and the importance of ensuring everyone can receive timely, effective, and safe cancer care.Click for show notes, transcripts & more#NIHR #Patientsafety #Cancercare #Learningdisability #HealthInequalities

Transitions in care are high-risk moments for patient safety; whether from hospital to home, mental health settings to community, or across specialties. In this episode, our research experts Dr Natasha Tyler, Dr Richard Keers, and Professor Tom Blakeman dive into why transitions in care can present patient safety challenges and the emotional toll on patients and carers. From medication errors to emotional readiness for discharge, we explore research insights that could reshape the future of safer care transitions.🔗 Show notes, transcript & more#PatientSafety #NHS #TransitionsInCare #Healthcare #HealthcareWorkforce #MedicalStaff #NIHR #VoicesForSafety #nhsengland #universityofmanchester

To mark World Patient Safety Day 2025, this special episode of Voices for Safety explores the critical but often overlooked role of parents in paediatric medication safety. Drawing on NIHR-funded research and lived experience, the conversation highlights how parents are routinely involved in administering medicines, the risks posed by hospital routines that ignore family expertise, and the emotional impact of medication errors. It calls for greater inclusion of parents in care decisions, improved communication, and systemic changes to ensure safer care for children.Our host Dr Louise Gorman is joined by:Dr Adam Sutherland, Associate Professor in Healthcare Quality and Safety, University of Bradford, and a registered pharmacist who has worked in paediatric critical care since 2005, andHeidi Ridgewell, a mum, advocate, and family support worker at Ryedale Special Families.This study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Education England Integrated Clinical Academic Programme (CDRF-17-024), and supported by the NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GM PSRC). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

To mark World Patient Safety Day 2025, this special episode of Voices for Safety explores the how NIHR-funded research is helping improve care for pre-term babies through the PremPath study. The conversation highlights the optimisation pathway, ethnographic insights into neonatal care, and the challenges of coordination, communication, and equity. It also shares practical recommendations to improve care experiences for families and staff, emphasising the emotional and relational aspects of patient safety.Our host Dr Louise Gorman is joined by:Prof Nicola Mackintosh, Professor in Social Science applied to Health at the University of Leicester and research co-lead at the NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GM PSRC), andDr Julie Roberts – Research Fellow at the SAPPHIRE group (Social science, APPlied Healthcare and Improvement Research), University of Leicester.This study/project is funded by the NIHR Policy Research Programme (NIHR204242). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

What is it really like to work as a locum doctor in the NHS? In this episode of Voices for Safety, we explore the challenges, opportunities, and patient safety implications of locum working with researchers Dr Jane Ferguson and Prof Kieran Walshe. From professional isolation to clinical governance, induction, and integration—this episode dives into the realities facing temporary medical staff and the organizations that rely on them. Brought to you by the NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GM PSRC).🔗 Show notes & more: https://www.psrc-gm.nihr.ac.uk/news/podcast/#PatientSafety #NHS #LocumDoctors #HealthcareWorkforce #MedicalStaff #PSRC #VoicesForSafety

In this episode of Voices for Safety, Dr Louise Gorman dives deep into the crucial topic of safety culture in health and social care with two leading researchers from the NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GM PSRC), Professor Nicola Mackintosh and Dr Jennifer Creese. Together, they explore how organisational culture impacts patient safety and the importance of fostering a healthy, psychologically safe environment for healthcare staff. From useful resources to the barriers staff face in speaking up about safety concerns, they unpack the complexities of safety culture through research, real-world examples, and their unique approach to improving workplace environments.The conversation leads to an exploration of how enhancing safety culture is essential to improving patient safety. By creating supportive environments that empower staff to speak up, healthcare organisations can better manage risks and provide safer, higher-quality care.If you’re passionate about enhancing safety in healthcare or want to understand how positive cultures can be practically implemented, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn how values like transparency, respect, and empowerment can transform the safety culture in NHS and social care settings.Don't miss this insightful conversation on creating safer workplaces for staff and patients alike.Resources that you might want to explore more: MOMENTS - a framework of resources to nurture safety culture development through everyday practices together NHS Patient Safety Strategy NIHR Greater Manchester PSRC Enhancing Cultures of Safety research theme

In the debut episode of Voices for Safety, we delve into the crucial theme of improving diagnosis to enhance patient safety, particularly in primary care settings. Hosted by Louise Gorman, this episode not only kicks off the podcast but also marks World Patient Safety Day 2024, a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about patient safety and drive action towards reducing harm in healthcare.Our expert guests bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the discussion. Early in the show, Professor Darren Ashcroft, Director of the NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GM PSRC), and Neil Walbran, Chief Executive Officer of Healthwatch Manchester, explore what patient safety truly means and why it matters, highlighting the importance of patient advocacy and engagement in making healthcare safer.Later, we’re also joined by three highly esteemed General Practitioners (GPs) and leading researches at GM PSRC: Professor Tony Avery, National Clinical Director for Prescribing and Professor of Primary Care at the University of Nottingham, whose research has identified diagnostic error as a leading cause of avoidable harm in primary care; Professor Tom Blakeman, a GP and Professor of Primary Care at the University of Manchester, who leads work around Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and safer healthcare systems at GM PSRC; and Professor Umesh Chauhan, a GP Partner and Professor of Primary Care at the University of Central Lancashire, with a focus on improving patient outcomes through community health.In this episode, our experts explore the challenges and opportunities in improving diagnosis in primary care, and how to create safer healthcare systems—key priorities for this year’s World Patient Safety Day.Visit our website

Welcome to Voices for Safety, a patient safety podcast brought to you by the NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GM PSRC). Here, we delve into the latest issues and breakthroughs in patient safety research in England, UK. In each episode, we’ll explore key topics ranging from medication safety and safety culture, to designing safer health and care systems and preventing suicide and self-harm. Join us as we hear from the leading researchers driving these advancements and learn how their work is transforming patient care. www.psrc-gm.nihr.ac.uk