Confidence To Thrive - a podcast for ambitious healthcare practitioners and entrepreneurs

Christopher Cloke Browne
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Confidence to Thrive is a podcast built for practitioners and healthcare entrepreneurs who are doing something that matters - building innovative practices in functional medicine, aesthetics, integrative healthcare and mental health, while navigating the regulatory complexity that comes with it. 

  1. Aug 12

    Episode 20 - CQC or not CQC? Answering the question of registration with Dionne Simons, Designated Medical

    Do You Need CQC Registration? Guidance for Functional and Private Practice Clinicians In this episode of Confidence to Thrive, Owlicity director Christopher Cloke-Brown speaks with Dionne Simons, head of operations at Designated Medical, on the question of when functional medicine practitioners need CQC registration and why the issue goes beyond whether you prescribe.  Dionne explains that many “exemptions” only apply when you are clearly working under another provider’s CQC registration with defined practising privileges, governance, and contractual terms, and that simply renting a room in a CQC-registered clinic does not usually provide cover, including for digital consultations.  She warns that assessing, diagnosing, monitoring, interpreting tests, or creating personalised protocols for disease and disorder (e.g., Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions, chronic fatigue, hormone disorders, cancer) can constitute regulated activity.  The discussion covers current CQC application timelines, common form rejections, interview expectations, the need for governance documents upfront, and enforcement risks including closure, prosecution, fines, reputational damage, and possible GMC notification. Episode time stamps 01:29 Introducing Dionne Simons03:13 Why CQC guidance feels grey04:12 Exemptions explained06:22 The potential pitfall of virtual care06:57 Why prescribing is not the test09:35 Lifestyle vs treating disease12:36 The CQC process and timelines14:21 What to expect during application and interview process16:56 The value of investing in ongoing compliance17:42 The cost of enforcement and risk to reputation23:18 The reality of the NHS to private practice shiftFollow Dionne Simons and Designated Medical Dionne Simons - https://designatedmedical.com/team/dionne-simons Designated Medical - https://designatedmedical.com Who are Owlicity? This podcast was brought to you by Owlicity Insurance Advisors who support your business ambitions.  Owlicity advises practitioners, owners, and entrepreneurs of healthcare practises on mitigating risks so your business can thrive.  Learn more about how Owlicity can support here: Owlicity.co.uk  Call us on 0203 988 8090 Follow us on social media LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    Episode 20 - CQC or not CQC? Answering the question of registration with Dionne Simons, Designated Medical

  2. Aug 5

    Episode 19 - Navigating the NHS-Private interface - how to avoid complaints and claims when growing a functional medicine healthcare business

    Navigating the NHS-Private interface - how to avoid complaints and consent issues when growing a functional medicine healthcare business  In this episode of Confidence to Thrive, Owlicity directors Christopher Cloke Browne and Roger Houston discuss a case involving a functional medicine GP facing an NHS England complaint after suggesting an NHS patient see the same doctor privately due to waiting times. The complaint raised focused on concerns about breaching GP contractual rules and potential allegations of treatment for financial gain if escalated to the GMC.  During the discussion, Christopher and Roger explain how NHS contracts restrict offering private services that could be provided under the NHS, and that referring “practice patients” internally into a colleague’s private service is generally a no-go.  They also discuss similar risks in selling supplements and in NHS dentistry, including complaints from overseas clinicians unfamiliar with what the NHS covers and billing expectations.  Christopher and Roger detail practical advice focusing on avoiding blurred NHS/private boundaries, using clear options-and-pricing “menu” style informed consent, and setting expectations about costs, diagnostic work, and uncertain outcomes. Episode time stamps 00:56 Overview of the NHS England complaint 03:49 What happened in practice04:32 Understanding NHS contract referral rules07:18 GMC risk and profit motive07:50 A supplements case  09:31 The dentistry NHS-to-private challenge12:39 Informed consent and offering a pricing menu15:30 Keep NHS and private separate20:39 Changing patient cohorts and costs24:12 Functional medicine depth and testing28:26 Challenging health misinformationWho are Owlicity? This podcast was brought to you by Owlicity Insurance Advisors who support your business ambitions.  Owlicity advises practitioners, owners, and entrepreneurs of healthcare practises on mitigating risks so your business can thrive.  Learn more about how Owlicity can support here: Owlicity.co.uk  Call us on 0203 988 8090 Follow us on social media LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    Episode 19 - Navigating the NHS-Private interface - how to avoid complaints and claims when growing a functional medicine healthcare business

  3. Jul 29

    Episode 18 - Functional medicine marketing - regulation, claims and managing patient expectations

    Functional medicine marketing - regulation, claims and managing patient expectations In this episode of Confidence to Thrive, Owlicity directors Christopher Cloke Browne and Roger Houston discuss the regulatory and practical risks of marketing and promoting a functional medicine practice.  They explain the high duty on clinicians under GMC-style guidance, the need to avoid “miracle cure” messaging, and the importance of clear informed consent that sets realistic expectations, declares the non-mainstream nature of functional medicine, and evidences any claims.  Much of the complaints work they see is driven by miscommunication about private costs - especially extensive testing that patients assume is available free on the NHS - so they recommend documenting a clear plan alongside a cost schedule and contingency for further investigations.  They also caution against over-reliance on testimonials and case studies, emphasising careful patient screening and promoting the process rather than guaranteed outcomes. Episode time stamps 00:51 Regulating and marketing guidelines03:37 Promises and handling disputes04:13 Explaining the costs of testing 08:56 The cultural difference between NHS and private10:43 How the media hype expectations13:32 Filtering the right patients15:22 Safe marketing examples17:51 Testimonials without cure21:13 Science and titles divide24:45 Cost schedules and refunds27:14 Successful practice playbookWho are Owlicity? This podcast was brought to you by Owlicity Insurance Advisors who support your business ambitions.  Owlicity advises practitioners, owners, and entrepreneurs of healthcare practises on mitigating risks so your business can thrive.  Learn more about how Owlicity can support here: Owlicity.co.uk  Call us on 0203 988 8090 Follow us on social media LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    Episode 18 - Functional medicine marketing - regulation, claims and managing patient expectations

  4. Jul 22

    Episode 17 - Regenerative aesthetics, longevity and healing - an interview with Dr Angela Musso, The Healing Place Global

    Regenerative aesthetics, longevity and healing - an interview with Dr Angela Musso, The Healing Place Global In this episode of Confidence to Thrive, Christopher Cloke Browne, director at Owlicity speaks with Dr Angela Musso who shares her journey from 25 years as an GP, working in prisons and with police as a sexual offence examiner, and spending time in New Zealand and Australia - to running a boutique regenerative medicine clinic focused on regenerative aesthetics and longevity.  She explains why she returned to the UK due to concerns about healthcare access and integrity, and describes whistleblowing, legal battles, chronic stress and burnout shaping her focus on root-cause medicine.  Dr Musso discusses moving away from Botox and fillers toward regenerative approaches using patients’ own plasma, and emphasises gut health, trauma, chronic stress and mind-body practices such as meditation.  She highlights challenges in mainstream acceptance, growing awareness and collaborating with other trusted practitioners. Episode time stamps 00:49 Dr Musso’s GP journey 01:05 Lessons in skin health03:04 Integrity and whistleblowing03:58 Burnout to root causes05:15 Mission for longevity07:34 The shift to regenerative aesthetics08:04 The trauma gut link09:41 Dealing with mainstream skepticism12:56 Breaking generational cycles of trauma13:37 Getting the word out16:59 Meditation and self healingFollow Dr Angela Musso The Healing Place Global - https://thehealingplaceuk.com LinkedIn - Dr Angela Musso - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drangelamusso Instagram - The Healing Place - https://www.instagram.com/_the.healing.place_/ Who are Owlicity? This podcast was brought to you by Owlicity Insurance Advisors who support your business ambitions.  Owlicity advises practitioners, owners, and entrepreneurs of healthcare practises on mitigating risks so your business can thrive.  Learn more about how Owlicity can support here: Owlicity.co.uk  Call us on 0203 988 8090 Follow us on social media LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    Episode 17 - Regenerative aesthetics, longevity and healing - an interview with Dr Angela Musso, The Healing Place Global

  5. Jul 15

    Episode 16 - Restoring midlife vitality for women through functional medicine and emotions coaching with Sonia Jenkins

    Midlife vitality for High-Achieving Women: Functional Medicine, Emotions Coaching and Sustainable Change In this episode of Confidence to Thrive, Owlicity director Christopher Cloke Browne speaks with Sonia Jenkins, author, former NHS nurse practitioner of 45 years, and midlife wellness expert, about helping high-achieving women over 50 restore energy, sleep, and emotional resilience through The Sonia Jenkins Method.  Sonia shares how her own experience of developing type 1 diabetes in her 40s led her to retrain in functional medicine and essential emotions coaching, combining them alongside medicine to support sustainable, personalised change.  They discuss reframing midlife as a powerful turning point, the importance of lifestyle, nervous system regulation and emotional wellbeing, and the challenge of “noise” from conflicting health advice.  Sonia emphasises moving from information to integration, listening beyond a 10-minute snapshot, and helping women reconnect with body signals rather than relying on willpower or quick fixes. Episode time stamps 00:53 Meet Sonia Jenkins05:44 Explaining Sonia's midlife mission08:52 The importance of listening and intuition12:07 Cutting through noise17:50 From information to integration20:08 The biggest opportunity is already hereFollow Sonia Jenkins on the links below Website - soniajenkins.co.uk Book - The Invisible Midlife Woman https://www.soniajenkins.co.uk/the-book The Sonia Jenkins Method - https://www.soniajenkinsmethod.com Who are Owlicity? This podcast was brought to you by Owlicity Insurance Advisors who support your business ambitions.  Owlicity advises practitioners, owners, and entrepreneurs of healthcare practises on mitigating risks so your business can thrive.  Learn more about how Owlicity can support here: Owlicity.co.uk  Call us on 0203 988 8090 Follow us on social media LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    Episode 16 - Restoring midlife vitality for women through functional medicine and emotions coaching with Sonia Jenkins

  6. Jul 8

    Episode 15 - Should functional medicine practitioners keep GMC registration? with Andrea James, Keystone Law

    Functional medicine and GMC registration: legal and regulatory risks for doctors In this episode of Confidence to Thrive, Owlicity director Christopher Cloke Browne speaks with Andrea James, a Keystone Law partner specialising in professional discipline and healthcare regulatory law, about whether functional medicine practitioners should keep GMC registration.  Andrea explains that “medical practice” is not defined in the Medical Act and the GMC will not give role-specific advice, but warns that giving up registration can be high risk for doctors who still rely on their medical background in clinic work or marketing.  She highlights reserved activities (such as prescribing, Mental Health Act assessments and signing death certificates) and the broad criminal offence of implying you are registered when you are not, meaning the GMC could pursue criminal prosecution rather than fitness to practise proceedings.  They discuss that most complaints they see originate from other doctors and are often defensible when patients are given clear, upfront information, and Andrea flags separate, more prescriptive CQC registration risks under regulated activities. Episode time stamps: 00:53 Meet Andrea James 02:28 Do you need GMC registration 04:34 Criminal risk explained 07:44 Why complaints happen 09:35 Defending functional medicine 12:34 Working with mainstream care 14:51 What counts as medicine? 17:22 CQC registration basics 19:37 Practical legal advice Connect with Andrea James and Keystone Law https://keystonelaw.com/lawyers/andrea-james https://keystonelaw.com/ Who are Owlicity? This podcast was brought to you by Owlicity Insurance Advisors who support your business ambitions.  Owlicity advises practitioners, owners, and entrepreneurs of healthcare practises on mitigating risks so your business can thrive.  Learn more about how Owlicity can support here: Owlicity.co.uk  Call us on 0203 988 8090 Follow us on social media LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    Episode 15 - Should functional medicine practitioners keep GMC registration? with Andrea James, Keystone Law

  7. Jul 1

    Episode 14 - Neurodegeneration and functional medicine - an interview with Dr Kirstie Lawton, founder and director of You Nutrition Clinic

    Nutrition, Neurodegeneration and Functional Medicine: Raising Standards and Building Multidisciplinary Care In this episode of Confidence to Thrive, Owlicity director Christopher Cloke Browne speaks with Dr Kirstie Lawton PhD, CNHC-registered nutritional therapy practitioner and founder and director of You Nutrition, a clinic, research hub and educational platform specialising in neurological and neurodegenerative conditions including motor neuron disease/ALS, Parkinson’s, dementia/Alzheimer’s, brain injury, neuroimmune conditions, and complex paediatric cases.  Dr Lawton shares her path from public health nutrition and international work to functional nutrition and argues for evidence-based functional approaches alongside conventional medicine.  They discuss challenging “nothing can be done” narratives, improving quality of life, concerns about ultra-processed PEG feeds, and the need for multidisciplinary teams, higher practitioner standards, new training courses, and research using clinic data. Episode time stamps: 01:03 Introducing Dr Kirstie Lawton01:27 You Nutrition Clinic and team overview02:21 Early influences and career path05:26 The switch to focus on neurodegeneration 06:43 Doctors and functional medicine12:33 Mission and education Plans16:22 Nutrition basics and mitochondria17:58 Challenging the use of ultra processed food20:28 Regulation and professional divide24:37 Advocating a multidisciplinary care model31:39 Opportunities for research  Follow Dr Lawton's work via the links below: Insta:  @younutritionkids @nutritionandthebrain @drkirstielawton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kirstie-lawton-phd/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/drkirstielawtonphd Blog: www.nutritionandthebrain.com/blog Clinic website: www.younutritionclinic.com Educational platform: www.nutritionandthebrain.com  Who are Owlicity? This podcast was brought to you by Owlicity Insurance Advisors who support your business ambitions.  Owlicity advises practitioners, owners, and entrepreneurs of healthcare practises on mitigating risks so your business can thrive.  Learn more about how Owlicity can support here: Owlicity.co.uk  Call us on 0203 988 8090 Follow us on social media LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    Episode 14 - Neurodegeneration and functional medicine - an interview with Dr Kirstie Lawton, founder and director of You Nutrition Clinic

  8. Jun 24

    IPM26: Functional medicine goes mainstream - Insights from the Integrative Personalised Medicine Congress 2026

    This episode is recorded on the exhibition floor at the Integrative Personalised Medicine Congress 2026 at the QEII Centre in London,  With more than 3,000 registered attendee - and many more walk ins - IPM26 is a third bigger than last year. Walking on the floor, both Roger and Christopher highlight how there is a stronger buzz to proceedings and broader mix of exhibitors, from supplements and fungi to diagnostics, lab testing, compounding labs and prescription-focused stands.  One significant change is a higher GP attendance than ever before, suggesting functional medicine is gaining a foothold in mainstream practice.  They also highlight the expanded programme of talks and workshops, including a session by the Chief Medical Officer, a significant event for the sector.  Also noted by Christopher and Roger is the bigger international speaker presence, especially from the US.  Discussion also covers the scientific depth of nutritionist training, multidisciplinary clinic teams, prominent lifestyle oncology content, increased networking, and examples shared of reported Alzheimer’s reversals. Who are Owlicity? This podcast was brought to you by Owlicity Insurance Advisors who support your business ambitions.  Owlicity advises practitioners, owners, and entrepreneurs of healthcare practises on mitigating risks so your business can thrive.  Learn more about how Owlicity can support here: Owlicity.co.uk  Call us on 0203 988 8090 Follow us on social media LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

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Confidence to Thrive is a podcast built for practitioners and healthcare entrepreneurs who are doing something that matters - building innovative practices in functional medicine, aesthetics, integrative healthcare and mental health, while navigating the regulatory complexity that comes with it. 

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