Let’s Talk Health with Leyla Hannbeck

Leyla Hannbeck

Welcome to Let’s Talk Health with Leyla Hannbeck - the podcast where we cut through the noise and get to the heart of what really matters in health, wellbeing, and everyday life. I’m Dr Leyla Hannbeck, pharmacist, health leader, and advocate for better healthcare for all. In each episode, I’m joined by inspiring guests - from clinicians and policymakers to innovators and everyday heroes as we explore the big questions shaping the future of our health. We’ll talk about everything from staying healthy in a busy world to what’s really happening inside our healthcare system, and how you can take charge of your own wellbeing.

Episodes

  1. Jun 28

    Chris Blackhurst: The Future of Healthcare Under a Labour Leadership

    Leadership contests are rarely just about the personalities on stage; they are the quiet battlegrounds where the future of our healthcare system is actually decided. In this episode of Let's Talk Health, I sit down with experienced political analyst and former editor of The Independent, Chris Blackhurst, to unpack the upcoming Labour leadership contest. We explore what a potential shift in power could mean for the NHS, the hidden realities behind current waiting list figures, and how "Manchesterism" might just become the new blueprint for localized healthcare across the UK. What You’ll Discover - The Reality of the NHS Figures: A candid look at how "triage" and statistical massaging can often hide the true, frustrating reality of patient wait times. - What "Manchesterism" Means for Pharmacy: Why Andy Burnham’s localised, community-focused approach to healthcare could finally take the pressure off GPs and elevate the role of the high street pharmacist. This conversation really highlighted the massive disconnect between the political rhetoric we hear in Westminster and the daily reality of trying to run a healthcare business or simply get an appointment. It is fascinating to consider that while politicians constantly promise more money, the real solution might actually lie in giving local communities the power to decide their own healthcare priorities. Ultimately, whether it is Starmer, Burnham, or Streeting who takes the reins, the fundamental challenge remains the same: our NHS was built for a different era. Until we are brave enough to have an honest conversation about what a modern, mixed-model system looks like, we are simply rearranging the deckchairs. Let's Talk Health is produced by Urban Podcasts.

    29 min
  2. Jun 16

    Unpacking the 2026-2027 Community Pharmacy Contract

    In this episode of Let's Talk Health, I sit down with Peter Cattee, an experienced pharmacy owner and CEO of PCT Healthcare, to dissect the recently announced 2026-2027 community pharmacy contract. We explore the harsh financial realities facing independent pharmacies today, the controversial "10% uplift," and what the push for independent prescribing really means for the future of the profession. What You’ll Discover - The Reality of the 10% Uplift: Why the headline funding increase might not actually translate into real cash for struggling pharmacy owners. - The Independent Prescribing Dilemma: The challenges of implementing a £17 consultation fee and why the current model may be undervaluing highly skilled professionals. - The Future of the Pharmacy Landscape: Why the current funding model is fundamentally broken and what needs to change if we want to keep local pharmacies open. What really stood out to me while putting this together is how much we take our local pharmacies for granted. We expect them to be there for us, yet the financial pressures behind the scenes are forcing many to operate at a loss just to keep their doors open. Peter’s warning about the "unrepayable debt" and the sheer unsustainability of the current model is a wake-up call for anyone who cares about the future of frontline healthcare. There’s also a really useful mindset shift here. It’s not about simply asking for more money, but rather about fundamentally rethinking how we value the clinical expertise of pharmacists. If we truly want to move care closer to home and relieve pressure on the NHS, we have to start investing in the infrastructure that already exists on our high streets. Let's Talk Health is produced by Urban Podcasts.

    35 min
  3. Mar 5

    Pharmacy at a Crossroads: Prescribers, Pressure and the Road to 2030

    Pharmacy feels like it’s standing at a crossroads right now. Across community, hospital, primary care and digital health, expectations are rising, roles are expanding and yet the workforce feels more fragile than ever. In this episode of Let’s Talk Health, I’m joined by Yasmin Khosan and Khalid Khan to unpack what this moment really means. What You’ll Discover - An Army of Prescribers: What happens when newly qualified independent prescribers enter a system without clear pathways, funding or digital infrastructure to support them. - Evolution or Identity Crisis: As pharmacy shifts from product focused to patient centred care, how do we protect our USP as medicines experts while embracing AI and automation. - Pharmacy in 2030: Why this decade could define the profession, and whether we shape the change or simply react to it. We dig into the reality on the ground. Pathfinder sites that show promise but struggle with interoperability. Systems that still do not talk to each other. Contractors under financial strain while being asked to deliver more clinical services. At the same time, there is real optimism. The public perception of pharmacy shifted during COVID. Patients value face to face care. Automation could free up time for deeper human connection. Technology can refine dispensing, but it cannot replace the judgement, empathy and safeguarding that pharmacy teams bring every day. This is a pivotal moment. Pharmacy will change. The real question is whether we secure the funding, roadmap and leadership to shape that future properly. Let's Talk Health is produced by Urban Podcasts.

    35 min

About

Welcome to Let’s Talk Health with Leyla Hannbeck - the podcast where we cut through the noise and get to the heart of what really matters in health, wellbeing, and everyday life. I’m Dr Leyla Hannbeck, pharmacist, health leader, and advocate for better healthcare for all. In each episode, I’m joined by inspiring guests - from clinicians and policymakers to innovators and everyday heroes as we explore the big questions shaping the future of our health. We’ll talk about everything from staying healthy in a busy world to what’s really happening inside our healthcare system, and how you can take charge of your own wellbeing.