RCPCH Podcasts

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Members and guests chat about a wide range of child health topics - from health inequalities to climate change, from paediatric training to quality improvement.

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S2 · E75
Wednesday · 27 min
Leading the Way 15: Giving leadership a go, with Dr Chakrapani Vasudevan
How can we manage major career transitions? How do we ensure colleagues get the support needed to succeed? In this final episode of our series on leadership conversations, Dr Jonathan Darling speaks with Dr Chakra Vasudevan about his work in medical education, patient care and supporting others. From training in India to his move to the UK, to his current role as Head of School in Yorkshire and new RCPCH Officer for Recruitment, Chakra shares the experiences and lessons that have influenced his approach to leadership and professional development. Read Jonathan's reflections and download the transcript from episode 15 on RCPCH website: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/2026-09/leading-way-episode-15-giving-leadership-go-dr-chakrapani-vasudevan Discover more of our podcasts on RCPCH Learning: https://learning.rcpch.ac.uk/home/podcasts/ The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual. About Chakra Chakra is a Consultant Neonatologist based at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is currently Head of School in Yorkshire, after being a Training Program Director there for several years. He is also the new RCPCH Officer for Recruitment and previously served as the Officer for Education.
S2 · E74
August 19 · 27 min
Leading the Way 14: Leading through improvement, with Dr Yincent Tse
How can you use your voice to enact impact? In the penultimate episode of our Leading the Way series, Dr Jonathan Darling, our recently departed Vice President for Education and Workforce, speaks with his successor, Dr Yincent Tse, a paediatric nephrologist. The two share valuable insights into leadership, quality improvement and the positive mindset needed to create lasting change. Jonathan and Yincent discuss the importance of saying 'yes' to opportunities, but also knowing when it is time to move on. Yincent encourages leaders to talk to as many people as possible and to celebrate their colleagues. Coming from a quality improvement background, he approaches his work and leadership by bringing people together, starting small, using the psychology of change and measuring impact. Yincent reflects on his experience growing up with a stammer and how this drove him to use his voice to make connections and centre the voices of his colleagues and patients. An example of this is KidzMed, which started as a conversation between Yincent and his colleagues and patients about the challenges of liquid medicine for children. The result was a QI project across hospitals which converted many CYP from liquid to tablet medicine. Yincent leads with a positive attitude that drives solution-oriented change. Two taekaways for listeners: use your voice and apply quality improvement principles. Read Jonathan's reflections and download the transcript from episode 14 on RCPCH website: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/2026-08/leading-way-episode-14-leading-through-improvement-dr-yincent-tse KidMed resource for helping your child to swallow tablets on Medicines for Children: https://www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk/news/helping-your-child-to-swallow-tablets-new-resources-from-kidzmed/ Grand round webinar series on RCPCH website: https://learning.rcpch.ac.uk/home/webinars/rcpch-grand-round-webinar-series-2025-26/ Trainee Research Network on RCPCH website: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/rcpch-trainee-research-network Discover more of our podcasts on RCPCH Learning: https://learning.rcpch.ac.uk/home/podcasts/ The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual. About Yincent Dr Yincent Tse is a paediatric nephrologist in Newcastle. He served as our Area Officer for North England, later co-chaired our joint Medicines Committee and lead on our Grand Rounds webinar series. In May 2025, Yincent started his post as Vice President for Education and Workforce.
S2 · E73
August 11 · 20 min
Child health research 2: Getting started and finding support with, Professor Will Carroll
How can paediatricians get started in research alongside clinical work? This RCPCH podcast is the second in of our series on Research and Child Health. In this episode Davide, a College staff member from the Research and Evidence Team, is joined by Professor Will Carroll, respiratory paediatrician and previous Officer of Research at the College. The two discuss how paediatricians at any level can get started in research alongside a clinical role. Will shares his experience in building research infrastructure for issues regarding children and young people in district general hospitals. He reflects on the challenges he faces, from limited time and funding to balancing priorities. Will highlights the supports available to paediatricians at various stages of their careers, such as trainee research networks, the NIHR and your local research and innovation department. If you are enthusiastic about research, tune in to hear Will's journey and advice for getting started. Read our news page summary and download the transcript from episode 2: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/2026-08/child-health-research-2-getting-started-finding-support-professor-will Discover more of our podcasts on RCPCH Learning: https://learning.rcpch.ac.uk/home/podcasts/ The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual. About Will Professor Will Carroll is a consultant respiratory paediatrician at University Hospitals North Midlands, Honorary Professor in Child Health at Keele University and RCPCH Area Officer for West England. He is also our previous Officer for Research.
S2 · E72
July 15 · 51 min
Leading the Way 13: Leading change, with Dr Nadeem Moghal
How can we build services that better understand population needs? In this episode, Dr Jonathan Darling speaks to Dr Nadeem Moghal, Director and Chief Medical and Innovation officer at Strasys. The discussion moves beyond traditional leadership theory and focuses on the practical realities of leading in complex environments, particularly where transformation and service improvement are required. The two explore the challenge of building better services in increasingly complex systems. Using the example of paediatric services, Nadeem discusses the fragility that can exist within healthcare systems and the importance of understanding population needs. He highlights the growing importance of evidence-based leadership and a system-wide perspective when planning for the future. Jonathan and Nadeem share several powerful insights on leadership, personal development and driving meaningful change. Leadership is not simply about directing others; it is about having the courage to grow, the determination to drive change and the resilience to persevere when the path becomes difficult. Read Jonathan's reflections, see Nadeem's recommended authors and comments and download the transcript on the RCPCH website About Nadeem Most healthcare consultants observe the system from the outside. Nadeem Moghal has spent over 30 years inside it, as a clinician, a senior leader, and a patient. That combination of perspectives shapes everything he does at Strasys. At Strasys, Nadeem leads the firm's clinical and innovation agenda. He is passionate about improving healthcare equality and life chances, and has been pioneering population-centric healthcare reform. His recent work includes supporting the reshaping of care for children and young people with Alder Hey, developing national healthcare quality governance capability, and enabling integrated care health systems to think and operate differently. He questions current approaches, encourages different thinking, and works with leaders to build more equitable communities. Thinking differently, underpinned by data analytics and connected to real stories, is what makes Strasys his natural home.
S2 · E71
June 29 · 49 min
Understanding the RCPCH Assessment Review - changes to workplace-based assessments
Want to know more about the RCPCH's Assessment Review particularly what, why, when and how it's going to affect you? This podcast episode aims to do just that by bringing together some of the College faculty who have been involved through the planning, development and pilot stages. Dr Cathryn Chadwick, outgoing Vice President for Training and Assessment, Dr Josh Hodgson, Chair of the RCPCH Trainee Committee and Dr Sarah Hallett, Trainee Representative for Assessment at the RCPCH, discuss proposed changes to workplace-based assessments which are designed to better reflect real clinical practice. Cathryn has been leading the work to review the assessment programme within the Progress+ curriculum for doctors in postgraduate paediatric training. After two pilots and a consultation on the new workplace-based assessments, the proposed changes have been submitted to the General Medical Council for approval. Drawing on insights from trainees, trainers and College teams, the review marks a significant step towards embedding assessment within everyday clinical work. In this conversation, Cathryn, Josh and Sarah outline the Assessment Review process, proposed changes, and predicted timeline for implementation, and address concerns that have come up along the way. Learn more and keep up to date with the Assessment Review process - on RCPCH website Read our news page summary and download the transcript from episode 1 - on RCPCH website Discover more of our podcasts - on RCPCH Learning About Cathryn Cathryn is the outgoing RCPCH Vice President for Training and Assessment, a post she has held since 2021. She is a General Paediatric Consultant at Northampton General Hospital where she has a neonatal interest. Cathryn is excited by the opportunities in the new curriculum for trainees to develop capabilities to provide holistic, joined up care for children and young people. About Josh Josh is the Chair of the RCPCH Trainee Committee and a Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine trainee based at the Evelina London Children's Hospital. He is an Associate Fellow of the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (FMLM and a member of the Academy of Medical Educators and an Instructor for the Resuscitation Council (UK). About Sarah Sarah is the trainee rep for Assessments at RCPCH and an ST6 (S1) in General Paediatrics in the East Midlands. She has provided trainee input throughout the Assessment Review and also sits on the Training Quality and START Boards, as well as the SPIN Working Group.
S2 · E70
June 17 · 19 min
Leading the Way 12: The quiet power of SAS doctor leadership, with Dr Kumar Swamy
Representing around 30% of the medical workforce in the NHS, SAS doctors are essential to delivering high-quality care. Yet their role is still evolving in terms of recognition and development. In this episode, Dr Jonathan Darling, who has recently completed tenure as RCPCH Vice President for Education and Professional Development, speaks with Dr Kumar Swamy, neonatology specialist and RCPCH SAS Joint Chair about how the RCPCH SAS committee works to amplify the impact and recognition of SAS doctors through consistent and persuasive messaging. The two discuss how leadership rarely begins with a title but with curiosity, involvement, and a willingness to contribute. Kumar reflects on his journey to developing leadership skills organically by stepping forward in areas he cared about and learning along the way. Emphasising the benefits of shared leadership, he explains the co-leadership model he follows as RCPCH SAS Joint Chair. This is persistent, collaborative and meaningful leadership in action. Read Jonathan's reflections and download the transcript from episode 12 - on RCPCH website See related resources about 'Leading the way'- on RCPCH Learning The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual. About Kumar Kumar Swamy is a Specialist in Neonatology at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. He has been involved with the RCPCH SAS committee for over ten years, working first as a regional representative. As a Joint Chair, part of his responsibility is to represent the SAS interests of the College on the Academy of Medical Royal College's SAS meetings. He is also a SAS Tutor for Nottingham University Hospitals and aims to support SAS doctors both locally and nationally.
S2 · E69
June 11 · 50 min
Child health research 1: Digital health technologies, with Professor Paul Dimitri
How can we use digital technology to address children's physical and mental health needs and shift from reactive to anticipatory, personalised care? This episode is the first of a series on research and child health and discusses the role of technology in transforming child health. Professor Paul Dimitri, Director of Research and Innovation at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust and paediatric endocrinology consultant talks with Nish Talawila Da Camara, Head of Research and Evidence. Paul outlines how digital tools, data and artificial intelligence can be used to build a more proactive and humane system for addressing children and young people's health. There are many exciting advancements in the world of digital health technology, from new infrastructure like the incoming National Centre for Child Health Technology to advancements like remote monitoring, digital twins and AI. But we now face new challenges: Paul emphasises the need for child-focused digital standards and safeguarding measures. As children and young people's physical and mental needs are rising, 'the real opportunity isn't the technology itself. It's what we choose to do with it.' Read our news page summary and download the transcript from episode 1 - on RCPCH website Discover more of our podcasts - on RCPCH Learning The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual. About Paul Professor Paul Dimitri is a Consultant in Paediatric Endocrinology and the Director of Research and Innovation at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust. He has been working in the field of Paediatrics since 1998 and Paediatric Endocrinology since 2004. Paul took office as Vice President for Science and Research at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in early 2022 and is leading on the development of the National Centre for Child Health Technology, aiming to bring together industry, universities, healthcare professionals, children and young people and their families to develop the most advanced healthcare technologies for children worldwide.
S2 · E68
June 3 · 42 min
Influencing the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act
How does the College combine paediatric and policy expertise to influence legislation? Professor Andrew Rowland, Officer for Child Protection, talks about our work with colleagues from RCPCH and NSPCC. The UK Government introduced the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill in 2024. This proposed measures to improve information sharing between services, strengthen safeguarding, reform children's social care and raise standards and protections in schools. This received Royal Assent in early May 2026. Andrew invites Elizabeth Collin, RCPCH Public Affairs and Campaign Manager and Joanna Barrett, NSPCC Associate Head of Policy, to discuss the work of the College and the NSPCC in influencing this piece of legislation and reflections on the joint campaign for equal protection from assault across the UK. He then speaks with Grace Hastie, RCPCH Policy Manager for Child Protection and Ethics, on the long-term engagement and policy work surrounding the bill. Read more about our campaign to give every child in the UK equal protection from assault - on RCPCH website Get involved in the College's influencing work - Paediatric Influencing Network Find out more about the NSPCC's ongoing campaign to end physical punishment – on NSPCC website Download transcript (PDF) The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual. About Andrew Professor Andrew Rowland is the RCPCH Officer for Child Protection and a consultant in paediatric emergency medicine. He has worked nationally and internationally in child protection, advocating for and with children and young people and safeguarding vulnerable groups. About Elizabeth Elizabeth Collin is the RCPCH Public Affairs and Campaign Manager. She works with College Officers, staff and members to make the case to Parliament and government for policies to support the paediatric workforce and improve child health outcomes. About Joanna Joanna Barrett is the Associate Head of Policy at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). She was heavily involved in the successful campaign to end the physical punishment of children in Scotland and is leading NSPCC's work on this campaign in England. About Grace Grace Hastie is the Policy Manager for Child Protection and Ethics at RCPCH. She works closely with the Officer for Child Protection to improve child protection and safeguarding across the UK.
S2 · E67
May 20 · 32 min
Leading the Way 11: Trust, courage and diversity in medical leadership, with Dr Erum Jamall
How can we overcome the transition from clinical practice to managerial roles? In this episode, Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH Vice President for Education and Professional Development, speaks with Dr Erum Jamall, a consultant paediatrician and currently the Divisional Medical Director for Women's, Children and Core Services at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust. The two discuss leadership within NHS trusts and the crucial role of medical management. A key theme was the importance of viewing medical management as an essential part of trust leadership, particularly by building networks and collaborating across stakeholders. Erum shared her experiences of leading during the COVID‑19 pandemic, highlighting how even the toughest environments can offer an opportunity for meaningful growth. Erum pointed to the difficulty in balancing clinical and managerial roles, and cites self-belief, coaching and supportive networks as essential in navigating such challenges in senior leadership roles. Finally, she emphasised the importance of diverse and inclusive leadership, noting how varied perspectives strengthen teams and improve outcomes. Read Jonathan's reflections and download the transcript from episode 11 - on RCPCH website See related resources about 'Leading the way'- on RCPCH Learning The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual. About Erum Erum is a consultant paediatrician, with sub-specialty accreditation in paediatric emergency medicine. She is currently the Divisional Medical Director for Women's, Children and Core Services at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust. Her previous leadership roles include Divisional Clinical Director for Children and Young People Services and Associate Medical Director for Quality & Clinical Effectiveness at Whittington Health NHS Trust. She is passionate about diverse representation and clinical expertise in leadership roles across Health Care Organisations and equitable access to healthcare for all. She firmly believes that we can shape better outcomes for Children and Young People through better leadership.
S2 · E66
April 22 · 34 min
Leading the Way 10: Leading through advocacy and collaboration, with Dr Kay Tyerman
How can we be firm, fair, and tenacious in standing up for our teams and those we serve? In this episode, Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH Vice President for Education and Professional Development, speaks with Dr Kay Tyerman, a paediatric nephrologist. Kay's approach to leadership is rooted in advocacy and collaboration, qualities that are essential in shaping effective health systems. Kay and Jonathan talk about how hard knowledge has helped her build a valid argument to invest in child health, how she's been encouraged by a simple thank you, and how she's learned when to hand over a role to someone else. Because leadership is about being genuine and curious and building trust. Read Jonathan's reflections and download the transcript from episode 10 - on RCPCH website See related resources about 'Leading the way'- on RCPCH Learning The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual. About Kay Kay is a paediatric nephrologist in Leeds, current Head of School for Yorkshire and Humber and Officer for Workforce Planning. Over her consultant career, she has undertaken a variety of portfolio posts and voluntary roles. Her proudest achievement is her family and feeling as enthusiastic about paediatrics now as when she undertook her first post at the Norfolk & Norwich.
S2 · E65
March 18 · 32 min
Leading the way 9: Compassionate leadership in challenging times, with Will Clement
We are working in a period of sustained challenge. Many colleagues across the health system are stretched, fatigued and, in some cases, bordering on burnout. In this episode, Will Clement, a leadership consultant, executive coach and facilitator who has worked across the NHS and with RCPCH, tell us how compassionate leadership offers more than kindness; it delivers measurable improvements in wellbeing, team cohesion and outcomes. Read Jonathan's reflections and download the transcript from episode 9 - on RCPCH website See related resources about 'Leading the way'- on RCPCH Learning The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual. About Will Clement Will Clement is an experienced leadership consultant, executive coach, and facilitator, with a background spanning public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. He is the founder and Managing Director of Clement Leadership Development, a values-led consultancy specialising in leadership development, executive coaching, and organisational culture. With over 20 years of experience, including several senior leadership roles with Royal Mail, The AA, NHS and other large complex organisations, Will brings a grounded, practical approach informed by contemporary leadership thinking, coaching psychology, and systems leadership. His style is purposeful, challenging, and human, helping leaders lead with clarity, courage, and care in high pressure environments. Clement Leadership Development has delivered impactful programmes for national bodies, including NHS Trusts, Royal Colleges, universities, police leadership teams, and local authorities. Will also leads the design and delivery of bespoke leadership frameworks, awaydays, and cultural diagnostics. A qualified Level 7 executive coach and MBA graduate, Will is passionate about helping drive purpose and professionalism in leaders.
S2 · E64
February 18 · 34 min
Leading the way 8: Strategic leadership in safeguarding, with Dr Vicki Walker
All child health professionals, no matter their role, must have knowledge and skills in safeguarding. As a designated doctor in child protection, Vicki has particular leadership experience in this area and has recently led the redevelopment of intercollegiate competencies for safeguarding and children in care. Vicki speaks with host Dr Jonathan Darling about her career, which often took an unconventional path; she worked as a teaching fellow, got involved with the RCPCH trainees' committee and became head of service of a growing community paediatrics team. Leadership often starts with saying "yes" to opportunities that challenge us. But, as Vicki and Jonathan discuss, we can also ask for help, building collaboration. Prioritising self-care is also important, and Vicki has a simple strategy: three minutes of music to reset (in her case, some 1980s soft rock!). Read Jonathan's reflections and download the transcript from episode 8 - on RCPCH website See related resources about 'Leading the way'- on RCPCH Learning The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual. About Vicki I am a Consultant Paediatrician in Mansfield and the Designated Doctor for Looked After Children in Nottinghamshire. I work in the community paediatric service and with children in care. I've held leadership, management and supervision roles within the Trust. I was appointed to the RCPCH Child Protection Standing Committee in February 2019 working with the College to support paediatricians, progress training and improve health outcomes for children in care, with an interest in education and migrant health. I was appointed as the Assistant Officer for Child Protection (Education) in April 2022, developing and delivering courses and working as the clinical editor for the eLfH level three safeguarding children and young people eLearning. I was project lead for the recent update of the intercollegiate safeguarding children and children in care competencies. A multi-partner undertaking which took two years to complete. I was also co-lead for the development and publication of initial health assessment (IHAs) standards for children in care. I regularly teach on national courses and author journal articles.
S2 · E63
January 21 · 28 min
Leading the way 7: Stepping up when opportunities arise, with Professor Steve Turner
Failure, Steve tells us, is a good teacher, and when you get involved in leadership, expect to make mistakes (and learn from them). In this episode of our monthly series of leadership conversations, Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH VP for Education and Professional Development, speaks with Steve about how his academic and leadership roles evolved, starting with a thin CV and stepping up as opportunities arose. He became involved in child health research, first in small groups, and then collaborating with colleagues across the UK and globe. His route to RCPCH President began with other College roles, including Scottish Officer and Registrar. Steve and Jonathan talk about his leadership values: realistic communication, a flat hierarchy and a culture of respect. Read Jonathan's reflections and download the transcript from episode 7 on RCPCH website See related resources about 'Leading the Way'- on RCPCH Learning
S2 · E62
Dec 17, 2025 · 13 min
Leading the way 6: Helping others thrive, with Dr Jonathan Darling
This month, it's our usual podcast host Jonathan in the spotlight! He's interviewed by Arnab Seal, who featured in our previous episode. How to pinpoint the start of Jonathan's leadership journey? Perhaps when he was a senior registrar and helped set up a junior doctors' committee to come up with realistic proposals to resolve some of the things that weren't working as well as they could - like rotas. "That was leadership, but I didn't really realise it at the time," he says, "I was just doing what I felt needed to be done to make a difference." It's a reminder that leadership often starts with small but meaningful actions. Jonathan went on to become a consultant and senior lecturer in Leeds, and engaged in medical education and safeguarding. Now Vice President for Education and Professional Development at the College, where he enjoys learning from others' expertise and perspectives, he's been at the helm of the RCPCH Thrive Paediatrics programme, which supports paediatricians to promote wellbeing in their work. As Arnab says in his reflections on the episode, "the best leaders are those who lift others up and help them thrive". Read Arnab's reflections and download the transcript from episode 5 - on RCPCH website See related resources about 'Leading the way'- on RCPCH Learning
S2 · E61
Nov 19, 2025 · 22 min
Leading the way 5: Dreaming big, with Dr Arnab Seal
Arnab's story is ambitious and inspiring: he helped establish a new hospital and introduced a pioneering approach to healthcare in India. That's not something many of us can say we've done. What dreams do we hold, and how can we create space to pursue them? In the fifth episode of 'Leading the way', our monthly series of leadership conversations, Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH Vice President for Education and Training, speaks with Dr Arnab Seal, a retired paediatrician in Leeds who worked in both general and community paediatrics (as he loved doing both). His special area of interest is neurodevelopmental paediatrics and he became the lead paediatrician for the service in Leeds. Arnab shares his insights with us on pursuing dreams, developing leadership qualities and "leaning in" to adversity. Read Jonathan's reflections and download the transcript from episode 5 - on RCPCH website See related resources about 'Leading the way'- on RCPCH Learning
S2 · E60
Oct 15, 2025 · 26 min
Leading the way: Layers of learning, with Dr Dal Hothi
What's at the heart of leadership? For Dal, it's about being authentic - to be self-aware and grounded in our values. But it's also about learning to be vulnerable - to admit when we don't have the answers and to let go of our "armour". It's not easy, but it's powerful. In the fourth episode of 'Leading the way', our monthly series of leadership conversations, Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH Vice President for Education and Training, speaks with Dr Dal Hothi, consultant paediatric nephrologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London and recent Officer for Lifelong Careers at RCPCH. There are many layers of learning. Dal explains how her journey has been about "going from a space of knowing to learning". She's become a leader because she is "willing to learn and be open to experiences and trying to understand". Find out more about Dal and see related resources - on RCPCH Learning Read Jonathan's reflections on this episode Download the transcript (PDF) The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual.
S2 · E59
Sep 17, 2025 · 21 min
Leading the way: Seizing opportunities as a resident doctor, with Dr Josh Hodgson
Josh's story began with a simple but powerful moment—he took an opportunity that came his way. In the third episode of 'Leading the way', our monthly series of leadership conversations, Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH Vice President for Education and Training, speaks with Dr Josh Hodgson, new Chair of the Trainee Committee about his journey into leadership. They consider how leadership so often starts with recognising the right opportunity and having the courage to take it. Leadership development doesn't have to be formal, and finding mentors and taking time for reflection can be just as impactful as structured training. Find out more about Josh and see related resources - on RCPCH Learning Read Jonathan's reflections on this episode Download the transcript (PDF) The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual.
S2 · E58
Aug 13, 2025 · 23 min
Leading the way: Bloom where you grow, with Dr Emma Dyer
Step out of your comfort zone, encourage others, simply show up with integrity... leadership doesn't always mean taking centre stage. In this second episode of 'Leading the way', our monthly series of leadership conversations, by Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH Vice President for Education and Training, speaks with Dr Emma Dyer as she completes her tenure as Trainee Committee Chair. Emma used to think of leaders as charismatic, sociable, the ones who always put their hands up in a meeting. But as an introvert, she's brought her own way of being an effective - and collaborative - leader to the workplace and College. Find out more and get the transcript at https://learning.rcpch.ac.uk/home/podcasts/leading-the-way/ The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual.
S2 · E57
Jul 16, 2025 · 28 min
Leading the way: Finding joy in leadership, with Dr Simon Broughton
Leadership isn't about titles - it's about action, passion and impact. And it's for everyone working in child health. From clinical academia to national leadership in education and training... Dr Simon Broughton, General Paediatrician and RCPCH Officer for Recruitment, shares how mentorship, joy in work and early succession planning have shaped his career. This is our first episode in 'Leading the way', our monthly series of leadership conversations, hosted by Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH Vice President for Education and Training. Find out more about Simon, get the transcript and see related resources at https://learning.rcpch.ac.uk/home/podcasts/leading-the-way/ Read Jonathan's reflections on this episode at https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/leading-way-episode-1-reflections-serendipity-passion-thriving-teams The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual.
S2 · E56
Apr 25, 2025 · 37 min
Our blueprint for transforming child health services - six months on
Dr Ronny Cheung, Officer for Health Services, joins Alison Firth, Head of Health Policy, and Bruce Warwick, Public Affairs Manager, for a lively discussion on how our landmark report – a blueprint for transforming child health services in England, published last autumn - has helped secure commitments to deliver care equitably for children at a national and local level. Together, they take a close look at what these national commitments over the past six months mean for elective and community services. The trio also reflect on some of the challenges along the way as well as the opportunities to come. Looking ahead, Ronny, Alison and Bruce consider the next six months for child health services. There's a focus on the Long-Term Workforce Plan and 10 Year Health Plan refresh and how the recommendations in our blueprint have helped focus the College's approach to these major opportunities. As ever when working in influencing, events often overtake us no matter how hard we plan. As such, it is worth noting that this episode was recorded before the College heard the news that NHS England would be abolished. In this episode, you'll get a rare insight into how staff and members produce policy and then use this to influence decision makers at a national level. Download transcript See our blueprint for transforming child health services in England

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