Health Inequality Insights

Rahhiel Riasat

Welcome to the podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of health inequalities within healthcare. The podcast aims to spark meaningful conversations among healthcare professionals and beyond, driving progress towards a more equitable future. Listeners are encouraged to build on what they learn from others and to think about implementing change within their own practice to better serve the population they work with.Tune in to gain valuable insights and to be part of the conversation.

  1. Apr 4

    Lost Mothers: The Hidden Trauma of Separation in Prison

    Episode Description Dr Su Khant Chei (GP) and Sean Liu welcome Professor Laura Abbott, Professor of Maternal Health and Criminal Justice at the University of Hertfordshire and founder of the Lost Mothers Project. In this episode, we explore the emotional and psychological impact of separating mothers from their newborn babies while in prison. Laura shares insights from her co-produced research with women who have lived experience of imprisonment, highlighting themes of grief, trauma, stigma, and systemic gaps in care. We also discuss the implications for children, the importance of the first 1001 days, and practical steps clinicians can take to provide compassionate, trauma-informed support. Key Messages Pregnancy and early motherhood in prison is an under-recognised area of vulnerability, and systems are often not designed to meet the needs of women who are affected.Women often describe separation from a newborn in custody as a profound, physical and psychological grief, often hidden due to fear of judgement or punitive responses.Parental imprisonment and early separation may have long-term implications for attachment and child development, reinforcing the importance of sensitive perinatal care.Small, consistent acts of non-judgemental listening and compassion from clinicians can significantly impact women’s experiences and engagement with services. Resources Lost Mothers Project website: https://lostmothers.org Birth Companions – Resources and training on supporting pregnant women and mothers in the criminal justice system: https://birthcompanions.org.uk Clean Break – Creative work with women affected by the criminal justice system: https://cleanbreak.org.uk Connect with us If you would like to get involved, have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions, please email us at nationalheft@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on https://future.nhs.uk/NationalHEFT/groupHome and https://twitter.com/NationalHEFT Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their own healthcare providers or seek appropriate medical guidance for any specific health concerns. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of their respective institutions or organizations. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, but we cannot guarantee that all content is current, complete, or free from errors. Listeners are encouraged to verify any medical information from trusted sources and consult with their own qualified healthcare professionals. We hope this podcast serves as a valuable resource in promoting awareness and understanding of health inequalities and related topics.

  2. 12/16/2025

    The Power of Presence: Inside the Namaste Room

    Episode Description Dr Su Khant Chei (GP) welcomes Dr Nicholas Neill, a GP and Trailblazer Fellow, and Nicky Ewen, Team Leader at the Firs Care Home in Felixstowe. We discuss Namaste Care, a person-centred approach to dementia care focusing on sensory engagement and human connection, and its innovative implementation at their care home. Key Messages Care home residents in the advanced stages of dementia often experience distress and agitation, and pharmacological management of this is not always optimal.A Namaste Room was built to promote wellbeing using elements that interact with all five senses.Measurable outcomes include positive feedback from families and residents, a reduction in GP requests for sedative medications, and increased staff morale.A simple, person-centred idea can develop into a successful project if a team believes in it. Resources Photos of the Namaste Room: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16tXLpHCTd/?mibextid=wwXIfr News article about the opening of the Namaste Room: https://thecareruk.com/mayor-of-felixstowe-unveils-new-wellbeing-room-at-local-care-home-to-support-dementia-care/ Connect with us If you would like to get involved, have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions, please email us at nationalheft@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on https://future.nhs.uk/NationalHEFT/groupHome and https://twitter.com/NationalHEFT Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their own healthcare providers or seek appropriate medical guidance for any specific health concerns. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of their respective institutions or organizations. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, but we cannot guarantee that all content is current, complete, or free from errors. Listeners are encouraged to verify any medical information from trusted sources and consult with their own qualified healthcare professionals. We hope this podcast serves as a valuable resource in promoting awareness and understanding of health inequalities and related topics.

  3. 06/09/2025

    Climate Justice and Health Creation

    Episode Description Dr Su Khant Chei (GP) welcomes Dr Honey Smith, a GP in Sheffield and Director at Greener Practice; and Dr Munro Stewart, a GP partner in Dundee and joint climate sustainability lead for RCGP Scotland. We discuss the urgency of addressing the climate crisis due to its knock-on impacts on public health. Key Messages The climate crisis is a health crisis, which affects the most vulnerable socioeconomic groups the most and therefore exacerbates health inequalities.Health creation seeks to address the root causes of ill health by improving living environments, unlike the narrower focus of disease prevention.Overprescribing and polypharmacy disproportionally affects more deprived people, and also causes preventable environmental harms.Planetary health should be a responsibility for healthcare providers and you can start through a small action or conversation that can shift mindsets. Resources Greener Practice website, including a DIY guide toolkit for GPs: https://www.greenerpractice.co.uk/ Health effects of adopting low greenhouse gas emission diets in the UK: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/5/4/e007364.full.pdf Connect with us If you would like to get involved, have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions, please email us at nationalheft@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on https://future.nhs.uk/NationalHEFT/groupHome and https://twitter.com/NationalHEFT Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their own healthcare providers or seek appropriate medical guidance for any specific health concerns. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of their respective institutions or organizations. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, but we cannot guarantee that all content is current, complete, or free from errors. Listeners are encouraged to verify any medical information from trusted sources and consult with their own qualified healthcare professionals. We hope this podcast serves as a valuable resource in promoting awareness and understanding of health inequalities and related topics.

  4. 04/07/2025

    From Vision to Action: Leadership and Change

    Episode Description Dr Su Khant Chei (GP) welcomes Sophie Edwards, an Organisational Development Consultant who is an expert in delivering complex change and improvement, and Dr Nadeeja Koralage, a GP partner with first-hand experience in leading change at her practice. We discuss what it takes to be a successful driving force for change in your organisation. Key Messages Anyone can kick-start a process of change to tackle a health inequality from a hunch that something isn't working for a particular group.Start small, scale up: quality improvement methodologies such as the plan-do-study-act cycle allows experimentation and refinement on a smaller scale.Leading change alone can be isolating and unsustainable, so it is vital to recruit allies with complementary strengths to avoid change fatigue.Leadership should be distributed and based on a shared purpose, which you can come back to when you need to evaluate your successes. Resources The NHS Change Model https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/change-model-guide-v5.pdf The Model for Improvement/Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle https://www.ihi.org/resources/how-improve-model-improvement Sophie always enjoys chatting with people about their change and improvement projects, so if you'd like to talk about the QI tools or just about improvement work in general, you can contact her via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-edwards-137b79b Connect with us If you would like to get involved, have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions, please email us at nationalheft@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on https://future.nhs.uk/NationalHEFT/groupHome and https://twitter.com/NationalHEFT Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their own healthcare providers or seek appropriate medical guidance for any specific health concerns. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of their respective institutions or organizations. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, but we cannot guarantee that all content is current, complete, or free from errors. Listeners are encouraged to verify any medical information from trusted sources and consult with their own qualified healthcare professionals. We hope this podcast serves as a valuable resource in promoting awareness and understanding of health inequalities and related topics.

  5. 12/20/2024

    The Next Generation: Health Inequalities in Healthcare Training

    Episode Description In this episode, Dr Su Khant Chei (GP) shares her own insights into how including a focus on health inequalities in different stages of healthcare training could have a crucial role in tackling health inequalities nationally and globally. Key Messages People from different socioeconomic backgrounds face wildly different health outcomes — this manifests for example as an 18-year difference in life expectancy between countries, and a five-fold increase in mortality for women of minority ethnic groups in the UK.Healthcare students who receive specific teaching on health inequalities are more likely to choose careers in rural or underserved areas.Healthcare professionals can make positive impacts by tailoring their communication to patients' needs, and choosing treatment options based on the evidence for their effectiveness in specific patient groups.We also have a role to play by advocating for policies that support population health. Resources The NHS Core20PLUS5 is an approach to tackling health inequalities in the UK https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/equality/equality-hub/national-healthcare-inequalities-improvement-programme/core20plus5/ Connect with us If you would like to get involved, have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions, please email us at nationalheft@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on https://future.nhs.uk/NationalHEFT/groupHome and https://twitter.com/NationalHEFT Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their own healthcare providers or seek appropriate medical guidance for any specific health concerns. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of their respective institutions or organizations. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, but we cannot guarantee that all content is current, complete, or free from errors. Listeners are encouraged to verify any medical information from trusted sources and consult with their own qualified healthcare professionals. We hope this podcast serves as a valuable resource in promoting awareness and understanding of health inequalities and related topics.  Connect with us If you would like to get involved, have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions, please email us at nationalheft@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on https://future.nhs.uk/NationalHEFT/groupHome and https://twitter.com/NationalHEFT Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their own healthcare providers or seek appropriate medical guidance for any specific health concerns. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of their respective institutions or organizations. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, but we cannot guarantee that all content is current, complete, or free from errors. Listeners are encouraged to verify any medical information from trusted sources and consult with their own qualified healthcare professionals. We hope this podcast serves as a valuable resource in promoting awareness and understanding of health inequalities and related topics.

  6. 11/12/2024

    Invisible Women: A Hard-to-Reach Vulnerable Population

    Episode Description Dr Su Khant Chei (GP) and Dr Sean Liu (FY1) welcome Dr Ruth Beesley, a GP in Peterborough who runs a specialist clinic for vulnerable women who are homeless, have alcohol or drug addictions and engage in sex work. We discuss how as healthcare providers we could improve our ability to reach and support this group of people. Key Messages Women who are homeless, have substance addictions or engage in sex work are easily missed by the traditional healthcare system.This is due to logistical barriers such as the appointment booking system and receiving letters, as well as the fear of stigma and judgement.Building a relationship of trust is absolutely vital, as is ensuring the system and environment are suitable for this group of people. The Wildflowers clinic is an example of a specialist service with this in mind, and we discuss the lessons learned from the process of setting it up and working in partnership with other organisations.These women are very resilient and working with them can be exceptionally inspirational and rewarding. Resources Further information about the Wildflowers outreach clinic: https://www.changegrowlive.org/news/breaking-down-barriers Connect with us If you would like to get involved, have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions, please email us at nationalheft@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on https://future.nhs.uk/NationalHEFT/groupHome and https://twitter.com/NationalHEFT Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their own healthcare providers or seek appropriate medical guidance for any specific health concerns. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of their respective institutions or organizations. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, but we cannot guarantee that all content is current, complete, or free from errors. Listeners are encouraged to verify any medical information from trusted sources and consult with their own qualified healthcare professionals. We hope this podcast serves as a valuable resource in promoting awareness and understanding of health inequalities and related topics. Connect with us If you would like to get involved, have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions, please email us at nationalheft@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on https://future.nhs.uk/NationalHEFT/groupHome and https://twitter.com/NationalHEFT Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their own healthcare providers or seek appropriate medical guidance for any specific health concerns. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of their respective institutions or organizations. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, but we cannot guarantee that all content is current, complete, or free from errors. Listeners are encouraged to verify any medical information from trusted sources and consult with their own qualified healthcare professionals. We hope this podcast serves as a valuable resource in promoting awareness and understanding of health inequalities and related topics.

  7. 10/08/2024

    Air We Breathe: Addressing Respiratory Health Disparity

    Episode Description Dr Su Khant Chei (GP) and Dr Sean Liu (FY1) discuss respiratory health inequalities with Dr Jeyoung Lee, a GP and Respiratory Lead at Fenland Group Practice. We focus on why asthma and COPD disproportionately affect people from socioeconomically deprived backgrounds, and practical solutions to improve patients' management Key Messages Asthma has much greater mortality in the lowest socio-economic group - contributing factors include environmental and occupational exposure, access to healthcare and health literacy.It is important to educate patients/parents on the nature and management of the condition, particularly steroid inhaler and peak flow monitoring, in a patient-centred approach.Smoking cessation is key for managing COPD, and should be approached at every opportunity. This should also be patient-centred, and we discuss advice on how to approach the conversation.Knowledge of how to refer to specialist smoking cessation services is important. Resources Asthma + Lung UK: helpful leaflets for patients and healthcare professionals https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/ Primary Care Respiratory Society: useful resources for healthcare professionals https://www.pcrs-uk.org/ RightBreathe: extensive information on all inhalers available for prescription https://www.rightbreathe.com/ Connect with us If you would like to get involved, have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions, please email us at nationalheft@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on https://future.nhs.uk/NationalHEFT/groupHome and https://twitter.com/NationalHEFT Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their own healthcare providers or seek appropriate medical guidance for any specific health concerns. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of their respective institutions or organizations. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, but we cannot guarantee that all content is current, complete, or free from errors. Listeners are encouraged to verify any medical information from trusted sources and consult with their own qualified healthcare professionals. We hope this podcast serves as a valuable resource in promoting awareness and understanding of health inequalities and related topics. Connect with us If you would like to get involved, have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions, please email us at nationalheft@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on https://future.nhs.uk/NationalHEFT/groupHome and https://twitter.com/NationalHEFT Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their own healthcare providers or seek appropriate medical guidance for any specific health concerns. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of their respective institutions or organizations. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, but we cannot guarantee that all content is current, complete, or free from errors. Listeners are encouraged to verify any medical information from trusted sources and consult with their own qualified healthcare professionals. We hope this podcast serves as a valuable resource in promoting awareness and understanding of health inequalities and related topics.

  8. 08/09/2024

    Civility Saves Lives

    Episode Description Dr Su Khant Chei (GP) and Dr Sean Liu (FY1) discuss the Civility Saves Lives project with Dr Maria Clement, Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist and Clinical Director for Health Inequality at Newcastle Hospitals. This is an initiative aimed at improving workplace culture and patient outcomes through promoting respect and professionalism. Key Messages Civility Saves Lives raises awareness of the impact of civil and incivil behaviour on patient outcomes, and the growing evidence base for this.We explore practical experience of incivility and advice on promoting a more civil team-working environment, and highlight the importance of civility in supporting patients from marginalised backgrounds in particular.It is crucial that civility is promoted by team leaders by example, and also in training and guidelines.We encourage the audience to be brave in identifying incivil interactions and spreading the message of positivity.Teams and organisations anywhere in the UK can contact the Civility Saves Lives team to request a lecture or workshop. Further Reading The Civility Saves Lives website: https://www.civilitysaveslives.com/ Resources Infographic on the impact of an interactive workshop on civility: https://imgur.com/a/civility-saves-lives-infographic-C7L4Lvc Connect with us If you would like to get involved, have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions, please email us at nationalheft@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on https://future.nhs.uk/NationalHEFT/groupHome and https://twitter.com/NationalHEFT  Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their own healthcare providers or seek appropriate medical guidance for any specific health concerns. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of their respective institutions or organizations. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, but we cannot guarantee that all content is current, complete, or free from errors. Listeners are encouraged to verify any medical information from trusted sources and consult with their own qualified healthcare professionals. We hope this podcast serves as a valuable resource in promoting awareness and understanding of health inequalities and related topics. Connect with us If you would like to get involved, have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions, please email us at nationalheft@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on https://future.nhs.uk/NationalHEFT/groupHome and https://twitter.com/NationalHEFT Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their own healthcare providers or seek appropriate medical guidance for any specific health concerns. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of their respective institutions or organizations. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, but we cannot guarantee that all content is current, complete, or free from errors. Listeners are encouraged to verify any medical information from trusted sources and consult with their own qualified healthcare professionals. We hope this podcast serves as a valuable resource in promoting awareness and understanding of health inequalities and related topics.

About

Welcome to the podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of health inequalities within healthcare. The podcast aims to spark meaningful conversations among healthcare professionals and beyond, driving progress towards a more equitable future. Listeners are encouraged to build on what they learn from others and to think about implementing change within their own practice to better serve the population they work with.Tune in to gain valuable insights and to be part of the conversation.