Health and Wellbeing Podcast

An operations officer and a practice team leader talk about the value of having a robust management structure in place in general practice. Debbie Beels oversees three medical practices in Manchester, and her colleague Stacey Simpson supports her at practice level. Altogether their organisation serves around 25 thousand patients, but they've developed a management structure – and a way of working together - to help keep everything running smoothly, through good times and bad. For the many practice managers who work in isolation in Primary Care, Debbie and Stacey give some tips on staying connected and sharing ideas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we focus on the relatively new provision of Chaplaincy within General Practice, and hear how the Chaplains' ability to listen to an individual's physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs can complement - and even enhance - the provision of medical care alone. Chaplains Jean Hurlston and Jonathan Gallagher are joined by the PCN Lead Nurse for Stalybridge – Reanne White – to talk about the difference a Chaplain can make, not just for patients, but also for the NHS workforce.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even before the Covid 19 pandemic started, the pressure on primary care services was already high; contributing to increased levels of sickness absence and sadly, even causing some people to leave the service. That pressure increased during the pandemic, when primary care staff kept working to support the general population, and even now, post-pandemic, the demand on our NHS workers continues to increase. But – as this episode explores – Manchester's primary care staff who are experiencing high levels of stress and fatigue can now find support through the organisation's Health and Wellbeing programme. Dominic Anderson - manager for the Health and Wellbeing Programme in Greater Manchester Primary Care – explains what is available, and highlights the positive impact of encouraging ourselves and our teams to focus on keeping mentally and physically well.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continuing on the theme of social prescribing link workers, this episode focuses on those who specifically help children and young people to access health and wellbeing services in their community; a key area of need given the increasing issues relating to the mental wellbeing of our younger people that are regularly spotlighted. Charlotte Leonhardsen returns and is joined this time by Rosie Luery – a Young Person Social Prescribing Link Worker – and Joseph Campbell – a Young Person Pathway Team Leader. Both Rosie and Joe are from Be Well, the social prescribing service for Manchester. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we highlight the vital work of our social prescribing link workers, who are trained to identify and support all those non-medical reasons why a person might be experiencing a dip in their general health and wellbeing. Nicola Spiby-Roberts – the Social Prescribing Operations Manager at Wellbeing Matters in Salford - and Charlotte Leonhardsen – who leads on social prescribing within the recently formed NHS Greater Manchester – explain how social ills, such as loneliness or poverty, can't be fixed by doctors or medicine, but can be helped by local activities or services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we're joined again by Rusty Carroll – NHS leader, clinician and PTSD survivor – to explore the role a leader plays in ensuring the wellbeing of teams and individuals at work. And as Rusty explains, a little extra attention can go a very long way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The highly experienced psychotherapist Norma Howes continues to help us understand trauma, and its impact on the body and mind. How does trauma affect our ability to communicate; and what can frontline services do to recognise symptomatic behaviours and help both themselves and our patients after experiencing a traumatic event?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It can be so hard working on our frontline services, where many of our patients – and indeed our staff – are either trying to deal with or have experienced trauma. Maybe you are trying to cope with this personally too. In today's episode, the first of 2 on this broad subject, we talk to Norma Howes, an experienced social worker and psychotherapist who specialises in trauma. And we discover some of the very simple things that could really help all of us.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past few years the signs of deterioration in the health and mental wellbeing of frontline dentistry staff have increased. This episode outlines some of the work that has been undertaken through a programme to develop a network of Health and Wellbeing Champions; not only supporting our staff but also having a positive effect on our patients who may be experiencing stress and anxiety. Our guest is Beverley Moorhouse, Dental Education Programme Manager at Health Education England. Follow HEE North West on Twitter: @NHSHEE_NWest   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does resilience mean to you? It's a term often used in the healthcare sector, especially in the last few years as we've dealt with the pandemic. Lynn Marsland's guest for this episode is Lucy Martin, a GP in the West Midlands who has carried out research into resilience – specifically in General Practice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of the GM Health & Wellbeing Podcast series, we have created a mini-series of discussions exploring the topics that you have told us matter to you. In this last special episode, GM Wellbeing Toolkit creator Sheni Ravji-Smith is joined by Dr Cath Munro, who has been working as a GP in Stockport for the last 17 years. Cath shares her insights about how we can look after ourselves through menopause in the workplace, and the things that we might want to pay attention to keep ourselves well. You can find more information about the Menopause support and resources available in the GM Wellbeing Toolkit. For more information visit: www.gmhsc.org.uk/wellbeing-toolkit See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trigger warning: this episode deals with suicide and bereavement.  As part of this wider Health and Wellbeing podcast, we have created a mini-series of discussions exploring the topics that you have told us matter to you. It's hosted by GM Wellbeing Toolkit creator Sheni Ravji-Smith and in this episode she's joined by Bereavement and Suicide Prevention lead Adele Owen. Adele shares insights into the impact bereavement, grief and suicide may have on us personally or professionally – and what we can do to find help. Remember to speak with someone if you are struggling with grief or suicidal thoughts – you are not alone, and help is available. Call the Samaritans on 116 123 or text Give Us A Shout on 85258 to speak with someone. You can also find help at Shining Light on Suicide:  https://shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk   You can find the bereavement support you need in your area here: https://greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk/map/ For more information visit: www.gmhsc.org.uk/wellbeing-toolkit See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of the GM Health & Wellbeing Podcast series, we have created a mini-series of discussions exploring the topics that you have told us matter to you. It's hosted by GM Wellbeing Toolkit creator Sheni Ravji-Smith, who is joined by guests to share insights into different aspects of wellbeing. The second episode focuses on the importance of paying attention to how our bodies react to our working environments – whether on your feet on a busy practice or ward; or working remotely at a laptop for most of the day. Sheni is joined by John Brady from GreaterSport, and Stephen Lunt from the Business Hub Group to explore what we can do to build in more activity workplaces and better movement into our working days. For more information about Greater Sport: www.gmmoving.co.uk or @GreaterSport on Twitter You can find out more about The Business Health Hub https://www.thebusinesshealthgroup.com or find them on Twitter @the_bhg You can find John and Stephen on Twitter: @johnbrady74; @StephenLunt And for information about Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership - https://www.gmhsc.org.uk/ or @GM_HSC on Twitter For more information about the Wellbeing Tootlkit visit: www.gmhsc.org.uk/wellbeing-toolkit     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of the GM Health & Wellbeing Podcast series, we have created a mini-series of discussions exploring the topics that you have told us matter to you. It's hosted by GM Wellbeing Toolkit creator Sheni Ravji-Smith, whose guests share insights into different aspects of wellbeing. This first episode focuses on the importance of Wellbeing Champions to help shift the cultures we need for good wellbeing across our work places. Sheni is joined by Michelle Maloney from GM Health & Social Care Partnership, and Wellbeing Champion Ann Carey, who is a clinical lead at Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust. For more information visit: www.gmhsc.org.uk/wellbeing-toolkit See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Covid pandemic has brought about unprecedented change in all aspects of our work and personal lives. You may find some of the changes you've had to make have been hugely beneficial but there is likely to be a lot of uncertainty too. However change is unavoidable and part of life itself – nevertheless we're often not properly equipped to deal with it or struggle to manage our reactions to it. Our guest for this episode to offer some amazing insights and advice is Louise Gelder, Senior Improvement and Leadership Advisor at Aqua. Follow Louise on Twitter: @lougelder For more information about the Aqua resources: https://aqua.nhs.uk/ For resources mentioned in this discussion: Barbara Fredrickson – Pursuit of Happiness: https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/barb-fredrickson/ Steven Peter, The Chimp Paradox:  https://chimpmanagement.com/the-chimp-model Ed Batista - Neuroscience, Leadership and David Rock's SCARF Model: https://www.edbatista.com/2010/03/scarf.html    Carol Dweck: https://www.ted.com/speakers/carol_dweck ABC Model of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: https://www.healthline.com/health/abc-model   Stages of Change model:  https://www.r10.global/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/fisher-transition-curve-2012-1.pdf    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Health and Wellbeing podcast, we hear first-hand about a very personal experience of wellbeing. Rusty Carroll is an NHS leader, clinician and PTSD survivor. He's been very open about this mental health and has a deep understanding of the importance of healthy wellbeing in an organisation.     You can read Rusty's blogs here: https://www.stemlynsblog.org/author/rcarroll/ And listen to his podcast: https://litfl.com/jellybean-040-with-a-man-called-rusty/ https://phemcast.co.uk/2017/03/28/broken-impact-on-the-rescuer/     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're a manager at any level, especially a new one, it can be a challenging role to navigate, especially as we continue to work under the constraints of the pandemic. How you lead a team can have a significant impact on their health and wellbeing. Lynn Marsland's guest is Dr. Becci Pierce, Advancing Quality Programme Manager with Aqua, an NHS health and care quality improvement organisation. Becci discusses her experience of leading and being managed, as well as offering 5 tops tips for anyone taking on a new management role within the NHS. You can find out more about Aqua and their leadership support here: aqua.nhs.uk Find Becci on Twitter @BecciPearce See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a line manager do you feel confident talking to a member of staff about their mental health and wellbeing? As a staff member, how valuable would it be to speak to your manager about how your feeling, especially if they were able to help in a practical way? And, as an individual, how aware are you of what's happening with your own mental health and wellbeing? Created with guidance from line managers and staff in the Greater Manchester area, Touch 10 is here to stimulate open and honest conversations … and provide a way of tracking your own mental wellbeing … with the  aim of nipping potential problems in the bud before they develop into something bigger and more problematic.  Janet Castrogiovani (Managing Director of the Greater Manchester Primary Care Provider Board) is today's guest host, while Lynn Marsland (Senior HR and Workforce Lead for the GM GP Provider Board) is her guest. For more information about Touch Ten or the Personal Wellness Barometer please visit https://primarycareexcellence.org.uk/health-wellbeing/wellbeing-resources/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Psychological safety is a belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns or mistakes." That was said by Amy Edmonson, Organisational Behavioural scientist at Harvard.  You'll hear Amy quoted a lot in this fascinating episode and find out why psychological safety is so important in the workplace – especially one as complex as the NHS. Lynn Marsland's guest today is Pete Ledwith, Quality Improvement Programme Lead with AQuA and an expert in psychological safety. You can find out more about a range of resources that AQuA offer here: aqua.nhs.uk   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're feeling even a little bit run down at the moment, just listening to the voice of today's guest will help you unwind.       Ian Rigg is a mindfulness and meditation expert. He's been talking to our host Lynn Marsland about what inspired his mindfulness journey and giving you some simple, practical tips to help you unwind – both at work and in your personal life. If you would like to find out more go to https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/tips-and-support/mindfulness/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We understand that Covid has brought with it challenging and uncertain times for everyone, especially if you're working in healthcare. You might be working in unfamiliar environments, with reduced staffing levels, and having to learn new skills, often at speed. This is on top of the worry about your own and your family's health and wellbeing.  Even without Covid, you may feel like your wellbeing needs some attention. And the earlier you can talk things through with someone – and the quicker you can access any help you might need – the better you will be able to manage and keep well. If any of this rings true you could benefit from using the help and support of Greater Manchester Resilience Hub. Run by qualified mental health and psychology professionals, it provides free wellbeing and mental health support to all health and care staff (including their immediate families) who live or work in Greater Manchester. In this episode Lynn Marsland speaks to Dr. Ruth Watson from the hub. You can find out more about the hub here: www.penninecare.nhs.uk/mcrhub See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We kick off this new series talking about the Greater Manchester Health and Care Partnership online Toolkit for workforce wellbeing – freely available to everyone working within a primary care setting in GM. Lynn Marsland is joined by Sheni Ravji-Smith who is the Head of System OD, Leadership & Wellbeing at the Partnership. For more information visit: www.gmhsc.org.uk/wellbeing-toolkit See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This exciting new podcast is a companion to the Primary Care Excellence programme, created by the Great Manchester Primary Care Provider Board. Whatever your role within the NHS in Great Manchester, we hope you'll find some valuable nuggets of advice in this series. Your health and wellbeing is really important to us so we've invited leading experts and organisations to share their wisdom to help you work and therefore live in a happier and healthier way.  And we want your input and ideas too. If there's a topic you think we should be discussing, email  primarycare.excellence@nhs.net You can find out more about the programme here: https://primarycareexcellence.org.uk See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.