In The Loop: the BIG Questions

IHSCM
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In this podcast series, Roy and Niall leverage their extensive experience in health and social care to engage in insightful conversations with influential figures. They explore the sector's critical issues and challenges, cutting through political rhetoric and hype. Each episode offers a deep dive into the realities of healthcare, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the complexities involved. Who is Niall? Niall Dickson CBE is a prominent health and social care figure. He has held several key positions, including Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, Chief Executive and Registrar of the General Medical Council, and Chief Executive of The King’s Fund. He has also worked as a journalist for the BBC and was awarded a CBE for his services to patient safety Who is Roy? Roy Lilley is a health policy analyst, writer, broadcaster, and commentator on the National Health Service (NHS) and social issues. He has held various influential roles, including vice-chairman of West Surrey and North East Hampshire Health Authority and chairman of the Homewood NHS Trust. Roy is also known for his popular eLetter, which reaches around 300,000 health and care managers, and for founding the Academy of Fabulous Stuff, a repository of best practices in the NHS.

Episodes

  1. Jul 23

    Dr Bill Kirkup.

    In their latest podcast Niall and Roy bring back into the Loop, maternity review chair Dr Bill Kirkup following his resignation as an expert advisor to the latest government review of child birth headed by Lady Amos. His key reason for quitting was around natural childbirth with Dr Kirkup opposing attempts as he saw it to shut down debate on the issue. But in the podcast he is adamant that while debating the place of so called natural childbirth is essential, it is not the only issue. Instead he focuses on the current training system which sets professionals off to work for different objectives which are in opposition to each other. And that he insists that is never going to produce good, safe practice.  And he backs those who have argued there have been adverse consequences of midwives no longer needing to be trained first as nurses. He says that also means they are often going into midwifery straight from school with no experience of anything outside of the educational system and no experience of the healthcare system. With the best will in the world he suggests it is probably not surprising that ‘some get ideas that are not helpful’ He is adamant that he does not wish to demonise or blame midwives but says we have inadvertently set up a system that produces people who are not necessarily well equipped.  And he claims that until we have a conversation that says it’s no good telling people not to make mistakes, the system will not work. He wants to abolish the current adversarial compensation system and calls on professional regulators to concentrate less on pursuing those who make technical mistakes and more on those who conceal, deny and cover up when mistakes are made. As for all the reviews – and there are more underway now – Dr Kirkup laments the fact that maternity units have had to cope with around 900 recommendations, which he says makes the whole process unfeasible and he himself pleads guilty to contributing to this, admitting that there were ‘far too many recommendations’ in his Morecambe Bay report.  As for the Amos review he highlight two vital proposals for reform – in the areas of compensation and clinical education. It’s a great listen – find it now wherever you go for your podcasts.

  2. Jun 25

    Jonathan Ashworth.

    In the last election Jonathan Ashworth lost one of Labour’s safest seats. On New Years Day this year, Jonathan suffered a major stroke, aged just 47. In this revealing podcast Niall and Roy discover how this former key member of Labour’s leadership views the plight of the government and the Prime Minister he helped to secure the leadership after disastrous Corbyn years   In a frank exchange, Jonathan explains how and why the two party system has collapsed as well as how he warned his colleagues to back a ceasefire in Gaza, but they point black refused to listen, and he lost his seat.  Reflecting on the last two years, he says Starmer lacked charisma and ‘oomph’. But he is also clear Labour badly needs a policy debate. They won the election with a sl;ogan of ‘change - not being Jeremy Corbyn and not being nasty Tories. But that was not enough to create a programme for government, based on hard choices. Jonathan calls for that debate now and for example to flesh out what Andy Burnham means by  bringing health and social care together. ‘Unless we grasp the nettle over social care, ageing and frailty, and preventative health (and what that really means), we are not going to fix the NHS’. Jonathan wants radical thinking – even exploring whether ending the triple pensions’ lock could be used to fund social care reform. As for Andy Burnham, while he notes how he endeared himself to Labour grassroots with his opposition to private sector tendering , Jonathan notes how the Manchester mayor worked pragmatically with the private sector to promote youth employment.  As for his own stroke and remarkable recovery, he praises the NHS but laments the miserable 6 hours of rehabilitation offered as standard to stroke victims. As a result he claims they are more likely to fall back on health and care services.    This is a great example of a politician freed from office,  able even to admit ‘I am the ultimate hypocrite’. That was because he made endless speeches about the need for men to have check-ups but the ignored the text messages invitations himself. ‘If I had bothered.. .maybe I would never have had this stroke in the first place’.

  3. Jun 4

    Ian Higginson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.

    If there is one clear sign that the NHS is not working, it is the state of its accident and emergency departments. Across the UK, under all sorts of different political regimes, the story is the same. Patients spend many hours even days, many waiting for a bed and incontrovertible evidence that thousands of lives are being lost as a result. In their latest podcast Niall and Roy hear from Ian Higginson President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine who voices his anger and frustration as a system that is failing patients and staff. But he argues strongly that this Gordian Knot will not be untangled by discouraging patients from turning up at A and E but by dealing with the ‘back door of the hospital. And on that, he clearly believes that while there is more that hospitals themselves can do to improve discharge procedures, more attention and resources need to be directed at social care and community health services. As for the former Secretary of State in England, he is determined to make sure that Wes Streeting’s commitment is not forgotten

  4. May 7

    Jim Blair

    Did you know that you are likely to die 20 years younger if you have a learning disability. Did you know that the great 10 year NHS Plan mentions learning disability 0 times? In their latest podcast Niall and Roy seek to understand the dire state of health support for individuals with learning disabilities and their families. Their guest is Professor Jim Blair, a nurse and academic who has campaigned relentlessly for the 1.5 million or so people with a learning disability in the UK. In a fascinating discussion, Jim lets us into a world that is not understood by professionals or the wider public. It is a world where individuals and their families are not seen as having worth and where services are not shaped by those who use them; and where abuse and scandals will persist until this is tackled head on. Jim also highlights those with profound learning disabilities – who cost millions to look after with 24/7 care and who he describes as the hidden among the hidden. Learning disability nursing is in sharp decline yet this champion of change says to improve their health, learning disability patients need these advocates as they need services that are developed by them and their families, and staff who are trained by users and their families.

  • 4 Episodes

About

In this podcast series, Roy and Niall leverage their extensive experience in health and social care to engage in insightful conversations with influential figures. They explore the sector's critical issues and challenges, cutting through political rhetoric and hype. Each episode offers a deep dive into the realities of healthcare, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the complexities involved. Who is Niall? Niall Dickson CBE is a prominent health and social care figure. He has held several key positions, including Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, Chief Executive and Registrar of the General Medical Council, and Chief Executive of The King’s Fund. He has also worked as a journalist for the BBC and was awarded a CBE for his services to patient safety Who is Roy? Roy Lilley is a health policy analyst, writer, broadcaster, and commentator on the National Health Service (NHS) and social issues. He has held various influential roles, including vice-chairman of West Surrey and North East Hampshire Health Authority and chairman of the Homewood NHS Trust. Roy is also known for his popular eLetter, which reaches around 300,000 health and care managers, and for founding the Academy of Fabulous Stuff, a repository of best practices in the NHS.

Information

  • Creator
    IHSCM
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 In The Loop: the BIG Questions

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