The Patients Association Podcast

The Patients Association

The Patients Association is an independent patient charity, that works directly with patients to campaign for improvements in health and social care. Here you'll find audio recordings of the Patients Association's free online webinars.

  1. Oct 27

    Patient consent: making sure your voice is heard, understood and respected

    About this event Consent is a process of communication and shared decision-making, where patients should have the information they need to make a genuine and informed choice about their care. Patient consent is given, not taken. And is much more than just signing forms and saying yes.   This webinar explored what meaningful consent looks like in practice, for both patients and healthcare professionals. We considered the difference between simply agreeing to something and giving informed consent, what information patients should expect to receive, and how healthcare professionals can support people to ask questions, express concerns and make choices that are right for them.  We also explored consent as an ongoing process rather than a one-off event, including what happens when circumstances or preferences change. The webinar considered how we can move away from consent being treated as a form or tick-box exercise and towards a culture where patients feel able to speak up and where healthcare professionals genuinely listen.  This webinar was delivered in partnership with Radar Healthcare. Speakers Chair – Rachel Power, Chief Executive, the Patients Association Joesphine Sibanda, patient Sophie Randall, Director, Patient information Forum (PIF) Julie Smith, Content Director, Radar Mayur Gami, National Medical Director Clinical Fellows, GIRFT (Getting It Right First Time) Our webinars are free to attend, so that everyone can access the information and support they need. If you're able to do so, a voluntary donation helps support our work and ensures we can keep providing trusted information and support to patients who need it most.

  2. Oct 15

    Making decisions together: Supporting conversations about bladder and bowel products and services

    About this event There is concern that decisions around care and products for patients with bladder and bowel intimate care needs are being made on the basis of cost to the NHS, at the expense of patients receiving the right care and treatment for their needs. Working in partnership with patients, the Patients Association and Coloplast have developed a number of resources that are designed to support patients understand their rights and access to products and services.  In this webinar, you'll hear about patients' experiences of accessing bladder and bowel products and services, including some of the challenges people face in getting care that meets their individual needs.  We explored the importance of shared decision-making between patients and healthcare professionals, and how working together can help ensure people have a say in decisions about their care and are able to access the products, treatment and support that are right for them. You'll also hear from the team that developed the resources about how they can help patients understand their rights, have more informed conversations with healthcare professionals, and advocate for their individual needs. This webinar was delivered in partnership with Coloplast [clicking this link will take you to the Coloplast website]. The 'Making decisions together' guide and animation were developed in partnership with Coloplast, and co-created with people living with bladder and bowel conditions. Speakers Chair - Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association  Wendy Osborne, Clinical Advisor and Clinical Nurse Specialist at Coloplast   Brian Fretwell, Chair of the Urostomy Association, and patient Jacq Emkes, patient advocate  Libby Herbert, Chief Executive of Colostomy UK.  Our webinars are free to attend, so that everyone can access the information and support they need. If you're able to do so, a voluntary donation helps support our work and ensures we can keep providing trusted information and support to patients who need it most.

  3. Sep 22

    An introduction to Continuing Healthcare

    About this event Are you struggling to fund specialist care? Find out whether NHS Continuing Healthcare could be the answer. The cost of specialist care is a key concern for families. For those with long-term complex health needs, there is help available with a fully funded package of care, NHS continuing healthcare. Yet many potential recipients are missing out, due to lack of awareness, misinformation or simply being put off from applying due to the frustrating and challenging assessment process.  In this webinar, continuing healthcare experts discussed: What is NHS Continuing Healthcare? What are the eligibility criteria Dispelling the myths surrounding continuing healthcare How you can prepare for funding assessment This webinar was delivered in partnership with Compass Continuing Healthcare. Speakers Sarah Tilsed: Head of Partnerships and Involvement, the Patients Association Louis Seymour: Legal Services Director, Compass Lady-Marie Dawson-Malcolm: patient, and Partnerships Coordinator, Spinal Injuries Association Rachel Hutchings: Fellow, Nuffield Trust  Our webinars are free to attend, so that everyone can access the information and support they need. If you're able to do so, a voluntary donation helps support our work and ensures we can keep providing trusted information and support to patients who need it most.

  4. Sep 16

    Getting through: fixing how NHS communicates with patients

    About this event This webinar explored why many patients still feel unheard, confused, or excluded when communicating with the NHS. The discussion examined whether NHS communication is truly designed with patients, or simply delivered to them, alongside the growing balance between digital efficiency and meaningful human interaction. Panellists considered the importance of trust, transparency, and accessibility, and reflect on what good communication actually looks like from a patient perspective — including how services can better support understanding, choice, and partnership in care. This session is supported by Abbott. The Patients Association maintains full editorial independence and final approval over all content.  Speakers Chair: Julie Thallon, Chair of Trustees, the Patients Association Dorina Poenaru, patient Saliha Ahmed, Cancer Health Inequalities Lead, Caafi Health Shahnaz Aziz, Head of Health Equalities and Involvement, Health Innovation East Midlands Katie Purbrick-Thompson, Policy Adviser, The King's Fund Our webinars are free to attend, so that everyone can access the information and support they need. If you're able to do so, a voluntary donation helps support our work and ensures we can keep providing trusted information and support to patients who need it most.

  5. Sep 3

    Equity in access: tackling barriers to treatment and care

    About this event This webinar explored the inequities that shape patients' access to treatment and care, and why many people still face barriers to receiving timely, effective support. The discussion examined the structural challenges within the health system that affect uptake and adoption of treatments, including why innovations can take so long to reach patients in practice. Panellists also considered the significant regional variation in access to care, and the impact this has on outcomes and patient experience. Importantly, the session focused not only on identifying the problems, but on exploring practical solutions to create a fairer, more equitable system for all patients. This session was supported by Novartis. Novartis provided sponsorship towards Patient Partnership Week 2026 and had no involvement in its creation or organisation.  Learn more about Patient Partnership Week 2026 Speakers Chair: Sarah Tilsed, Head of Partnerships & Involvement, the Patients Association Will Pett, Interim Director of Policy & External Affairs at Healthwatch England Rachel Power, Chief Executive, the Patients Association Kirstin Spencer, patient Our webinars are free to attend, so that everyone can access the information and support they need. If you're able to do so, a voluntary donation helps support our work and ensures we can keep providing trusted information and support to patients who need it most.

  6. Aug 27

    Why prioritising patient trust increases the value of using technology and data to improve research and care

    About this event This webinar explored how organisations can partner with patients in the use of health data, placing trust and transparency at the heart of decision-making. It examined how technology currently uses patient data to support improvements in research and care, why involving patient panels is essential, and how this supports better outcomes and public confidence.  The session highlighted the benefits of using patient data, alongside practical ways organisations can use it more responsibly and effectively, linking to wider ambitions such as the UK's Life Sciences Sector Plan. It also considered the growing role of AI, and what's needed to ensure it supports, rather than undermines, trust.  This session was supported by Flatiron. The Patients Association maintains full editorial independence and final approval over all content.  Learn more about Patient Partnership Week 2026 Speakers Chair: Vivienne Parry OBE, journalist and author  Geoff Rollason, Flatiron Patient Voice Panel member  Brian Kennedy, Head of Abstraction, Flatiron  Sarah Tilsed, Head of Partnerships & Involvement, the Patients Association Melanie Shield, Senior Commercial Business Manager, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust  Our webinars are free to attend, so that everyone can access the information and support they need. If you're able to do so, a voluntary donation helps support our work and ensures we can keep providing trusted information and support to patients who need it most.

  7. Aug 11

    Power to the people? The 10 Year Health Plan, one year on

    About this event This webinar assessed progress to date on the 10 Year Plan's commitment to give "power to the people" by amplifying patient voice, expanding patient choice and reprioritising people's experiences of care.   The conversation was facilitated by Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan, NHS doctor and author of Unheard: The Medical Practice of Silencing, and was tailored to what progress has been made by June 2026 towards the Plan's commitments.  Panellists shared views and recommendations on how these commitments can be delivered to ensure person centred care is embedded in a reformed health service and how to consider turning the 10YP blueprint into reality.   This session has been developed in partnership with Picker.   Learn more about Patient Partnership Week 2026 Speakers  Chair: Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan, Sexual Health and HIV Medicine Consultant, and Honorary Senior Lecturer Rachel Power, Chief Executive, the Patients Association Chris Graham, Chief Executive Officer, Picker Cheryl Tackie, Chair, Patient Partner Voice-National Cancer Programme, NHS England Our webinars are free to attend, so that everyone can access the information and support they need. If you're able to do so, a voluntary donation helps support our work and ensures we can keep providing trusted information and support to patients who need it most.

  8. Aug 5

    What matters to you versus what's the matter with you? Do patients' goals really shape their care

    Our panel explored whether patients' goals, values, and preferences genuinely shaped the care they received. A patient, as well as colleagues from a Welsh Government sponsored public body, a charity, and a think tank, shared real-world insights from patients, highlighting where care did and did not reflect what mattered most to people, particularly for those from underrepresented groups. Discussing the realities of shared decision-making, the panel reflected on what good looks like, where gaps remain, and what practical changes are needed to ensure care is truly shaped by patients. Learn more about Patient Partnership Week 2026 Speakers  Chair: Rachel Power, Chief Executive, the Patients  Alyson Thomas, Chief Executive, Llais  Seb Rees, Head of Health, IPPR Mahammad Osman, patient Our webinars are free to attend, so that everyone can access the information and support they need. If you're able to do so, a voluntary donation helps support our work and ensures we can keep providing trusted information and support to patients who need it most.

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The Patients Association is an independent patient charity, that works directly with patients to campaign for improvements in health and social care. Here you'll find audio recordings of the Patients Association's free online webinars.

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