The Business of Healthcare Podcast with Tara Humphrey

Tara Humphrey

Tara Humphrey looks behind the scenes at the business side of healthcare by talking to NHS and private healthcare leaders. Throughout this podcast, she also shares her own leadership insights. Tara has an MBA in Healthcare Leadership and Management and is the Founder and CEO of THC Primary Care, a leading healthcare consultancy.

  1. 3h ago

    #376 Building a Pharmacy Business in a Constantly Changing NHS with Shaun Hockey

    What does it take to build and sustain a healthcare business through more than two decades of NHS change?   In this episode of The Business of Healthcare Podcast, Tara is joined by Shaun Hockey, Managing Director of Medacy Ltd.   Drawing on 22 years of experience as both a pharmacist and business owner, Shaun reflects on the realities of entrepreneurship in healthcare, the evolution of pharmacy services within primary care, and the lessons learned from building and leading a successful organisation.   In this episode, Shaun discusses: His journey from pharmacist to business owner Building a healthcare business through changing NHS landscapes Managing imposter syndrome and leading with confidence Recruitment, retention, and workforce challenges in primary care Supporting pharmacists working within PCNs The importance of governance, supervision, and quality assurance Organisational culture when teams work across multiple organisations Why resilience and perseverance matter in healthcare leadership   This episode explores the realities of building a healthcare business, navigating uncertainty, and responding to the opportunities and challenges facing primary care today.   To learn more about Medacy, visit their website, connect with Shaun on LinkedIn, or reach out to him directly via WhatsApp.

    44 min

  2. 3h ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    Introducing Sophie Chen Keller: "Little Wonder" | Oprah's Book Club from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast Oprah’s Book Club 124th selection is Little Wonder by author Sophie Chen Keller. Oprah and Sophie sit down with an enthusiastic audience of readers to discuss Sophie's childhood spent both in the USA and China and how that experience impacted her writing. She also shares how becoming a mother for the first time was the inspiration for Little Wonder. The story is about a profound bond of love that connects a mother, Song, to her son, named River. A cataclysmic roller coaster of events is set in motion when Song loses hold of River’s hand in the teeming crowds at a Beijing train station. Throughout this story of love, perseverance and hope mother and son desperately seek to find their way back to each other. Readers share that the climactic end had them in tears. Audience members also share the passages that moved them the most and ask questions of Sophie. BUY THE BOOK! https://www.amazon.com/Little-Wonder-Novel-Thousand-Voices/dp/B0G5X5Z5R9 00:00:00 - Welcome Sophie Chen Keller, author of “Little Wonder” 00:06:05 - Writing ‘Little Wonder’ 00:09:40 - How Sophie found her title 00:12:32 - Her writing process 00:14:05 - Characters and plot 00:16:10 - Writing from a boy’s perspective 00:18:00 - Sophie’s love of piano 00:19:00 - The bumpy road to ‘Little Wonder’ 00:23:50 - Why the novel was set in 2016 00:25:45 - Rewriting the book 3-4 times 00:29:50 - Motherhood in the novel 00:32:30 - Class in the novel 00:35:00 - Purpose and motherhood 00:37:50 - How Sophie relates to music 00:41:00 - Song’s grief 00:43:20 - Tchaikovsky and the story 00:45:30 - How Sophie knew the ending Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: Instagram Facebook TikTok Listen to the full podcast: Spotify Apple Podcasts #oprahsbookclub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. Jun 3

    #375 Both Sides of the Table: An HR Professional on Taking Voluntary Redundancy from the NHS with Sarah Boxall

    What happens when an HR professional finds themselves on the other side of redundancy?   In this episode of The Business of Healthcare Podcast, Tara is joined by Sarah Boxall, HR and recruitment professional with more than 20 years of experience across the private sector, local government, higher education, and the NHS.   Sarah offers a unique perspective on navigating organisational change, career uncertainty, and the realities of looking for work during a period of significant transformation across the health and care system. Sarah shares practical advice for anyone facing change, considering their next career move, or supporting others through workforce transitions.   In this episode, Sarah discusses: What redundancy feels like from the employee perspective, even when the process is handled well The emotional reality of delivering difficult news as an HR professional Why uncertainty can be more challenging than change itself How to approach job searching during periods of organisational disruption The importance of maintaining an up-to-date CV Understanding the "hidden job market" and where opportunities are often found Using LinkedIn effectively to build connections and discover new roles Identifying your non-negotiables when considering your next career move Managing mindset, resilience, and confidence during periods of career transition Why flexibility, purpose, and job satisfaction matter as much as salary   This is an honest and practical conversation for anyone navigating workforce change, supporting colleagues through uncertainty, or considering what comes next in their own career.   Find Sarah on LinkedIn here.

    28 min

  4. May 20

    #374 Community pharmacy and general practice integration with Michael Lennox, National Pharmacy Association

    In this episode of the Business of Healthcare podcast, Tara is joined by pharmacy leader and self-described "serial integrator" Michael Lennox for a passionate conversation about the relationship between community pharmacy and general practice, and why working together is essential for the future of healthcare.     Michael shares how two decades in healthcare leadership shaped his belief that seamless, connected care is healthcare's real superpower. Together, they explore why integration still feels frustratingly out of reach, despite years of reforms, new structures, and ambitious NHS plans.     The conversation covers the tension between independent contractor models and integrated care, the 'Cinderella syndrome' community pharmacy often experiences, and why both pharmacy and general practice are often fighting the same battles without realising it.     Michael & Tara also discuss: Why conferences can create a 'bungee effect' of motivation How to keep momentum alive after inspiration fades Rapid Action Teams and solving problems quickly at a local level The importance of celebrating frontline success stories Why optimism still matters in healthcare leadership     This is an honest, energetic and hopeful conversation about collaboration, leadership and building better systems from the ground up.     Learn more about the conference being held on 21 and 22 June 2026 here.     Email Michael here or find Michael on LinkedIn here.

    40 min

  5. May 6

    #373 Leading Through Complexity: Careers, Collaboration & Change in Primary Care With Bobby Pozzoni-Child

    In this episode, Tara speaks with Bobby Pozzoni-Child, Director of Partnerships and Transformation for the Primary Care Provider Collaborative     Together, they explore what it really means to work across a complex healthcare system, from understanding "place" and "neighbourhood" working, to building a career without a clear path. Bobby shares honest insights on curiosity, leadership, and the realities of driving change across organisations.   What's covered? Why understanding the wider system is key to progression How careers in primary care often evolve (rather than follow a set path) The role curiosity plays in building influence and knowledge The balance between collaboration, decision-making, and pace What actually makes a meeting effective (and worth attending) Why titles matter more than we sometimes like to admit     This episode offers a practical look at leadership beyond job titles, and how to navigate ambiguity, build relationships, and make an impact in a constantly evolving system.     Get in touch with Bobby on LinkedIn here.

    44 min

  6. Apr 22

    #372 How GP Practices Can Grow, Innovate & Truly Serve Patients With Nabeel Arshad

    In this episode of The Business of Healthcare, Tara sits down with GP partner and entrepreneur Nabeel Arshad to explore what it really means to run a modern general practice like a business.   From growing a patient list from 10,000 to 20,000 in under five years, to transforming patient access through tech and communication, Nabeel shares practical, honest insights into what works, and what doesn't.   They discuss: Why GP practices must think like businesses (without losing patient care) How listening to patients drives meaningful growth The role of innovation, tech, and social media in modern general practice Lessons learned from investing £300k into marketing and systems Why not all patient demands should be met, and the importance of education Navigating stakeholder priorities, including the ICB When to persist with an idea vs when to walk away Plus, a candid look at the realities of change, team resistance, failed experiments, and the mindset needed to keep improving.   This episode is packed with actionable ideas for anyone looking to grow, innovate, and future-proof their practice.   Get in touch with Nabeel Arshad via LinkedIn here.

    40 min

  7. Apr 8

    #371 Why Physio Belongs at the Heart of Primary Care with Phin Robinson

    What happens when a physio drives 35 minutes to see one patient, drives 35 minutes back, and does it again the next day? That's how Pure Physiotherapy started in 2006, in a small room off the back of a gym in Rotherham. Twenty years later, Finn Robinson's company supports nearly 250 PCNs across England, seeing over 90,000 patients a month. In this episode, Tara sits down with Phin, returning guest, founder of Pure Physio, to talk about what two decades of building in primary care actually looks like. They cover the 2026/27 GP contract, the uncapping of GP salaries within ARRS, the real risk of roles never getting properly embedded, and why squeezing appointment slots from 20 to 10 minutes isn't the efficiency gain it looks like on paper. In this episode: Why the GP salary uncapping within ARRS is the biggest risk to additional roles and what PCNs should be thinking about now The clinical case for 20-minute FCP appointments, and what the evidence says about self-management and follow-up rates The difference between flexibility and instability, and how physio governance frameworks protect both patients and practitioners Neighbourhood health: genuine excitement, not enough money, and the networks that are making it work anyway Growth versus impact — why Finn measures success in patients reached, not revenue What it actually takes to set up a physio business: clinical excellence, passion, and a very long tolerance for doing everything yourself Key quotes: "Flexibility is a scale. Once you get to the point of unsustainability, it's unstable. You're just waiting for something to go wrong." "I'm not interested in growth for growth's sake. I'm thinking — what can we do to influence people in a more beneficial way?" Mentioned in this episode: Pure Physiotherapy / Pure Unity Health — pureunityhealth.co.uk Every Move Counts — the GoJoe movement challenge for health and care professionals The Lord Darzi report (October 2024) First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) and the ARRS framework Connect with Tara here  Connect with Phin Robinson via LinkedIn here, or via email here.

    34 min

  8. Apr 3

    #370 Returning to Work After Bereavement: What Nobody Tells You About Grief and Work

    Returning to work after bereavement is one of the hardest things you will ever navigate — and almost nobody talks honestly about what it looks like from the inside. In this episode of The Business of Healthcare, Tara Humphrey shares her personal experience of working while grieving after losing her daughter. This is not a how-to guide. It is an honest, unfiltered account of what grief at work actually feels like — the contradictions, the cost of showing up, and what has genuinely helped. If you are currently working through bereavement, managing a team member who has experienced loss, or trying to understand what grief in the workplace really looks like, this episode is for you. Tara covers: Why professionalism at work is not the same as being okay The deliberate decision to keep work life and home life separate whilst grieving Why well-meaning messages during working hours can make things harder, not easier The difference between distraction and displacement — and why the language matters What hour-by-hour survival actually looks like on the worst days The role of therapy, trusted friendships, and small daily anchors in keeping going What managers and colleagues can do to genuinely support someone returning to work after bereavement Working whilst grieving is incredibly tough. If this reaches even one person who feels less alone because of it, that is enough.

    24 min
See All (380)

Trailer

About

Tara Humphrey looks behind the scenes at the business side of healthcare by talking to NHS and private healthcare leaders. Throughout this podcast, she also shares her own leadership insights. Tara has an MBA in Healthcare Leadership and Management and is the Founder and CEO of THC Primary Care, a leading healthcare consultancy.

Information

You Might Also Like