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PODCAST

Only Human After All

Step behind the scenes of hospital life with Only Human After All, a heartwarming and insightful podcast that introduces you to the extraordinary people who make healthcare happen. Hosted by Dr. James Thomas, a Deputy Medical Director, and Andrea Clegg, an Associate Director of Nursing, this series uncovers the personal stories of the individuals working tirelessly in our hospitals. Each episode shines a spotlight on a different member of the team, from surgeons and therapists to porters and IT

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All Episodes

27:16

Jo Freeman: Pharmacy, Purpose and Choosing to Stay

Only Human After All ·

2026/01/03

In this episode, we meet Jo Freeman, Assistant Chief Pharmacist at Sherwood Forest Hospitals for the past 12 years.When the chief pharmacist post came up, people kept asking why she wasn’t applying. But a colleague warned her about the flattery trap - and Jo chose to stay where she adds the most value. We explore the misunderstood world of hospital pharmacy, the weight of becoming a prescriber, and why being really good in your job is a complete answer. Jo shares how you can walk into pharmacy

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30:30

Holiday Special: Andrea in the Guest Chair

Only Human After All ·

2025/12/21

Andrea finally sits in the guest chair — the second of our holiday specials where the hosts swap roles.James and Vicky ask about the patient whose husband she sat with all night, learning to champion the underdog after her own work-related stress, why joy and mischief matter as much as care, and the sliding doors moment when a young PA changed the entire direction of her career. A conversation about giving the same attention to teams that she once gave at the bedside, staying true to your morals

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27:28

Holiday Special: James in the Guest Chair

Only Human After All ·

2025/12/07

After dozens of interviews, co-host James Thomas finally takes his turn in the guest seat — the first of two holiday specials where the hosts swap roles. Andrea and Amanda ask about Lego obsessions, losing a Welsh accent at medical school, that first patient who died, learning to delegate without red pen and why wandering through a career without a plan might be the best advice he's ever followed. A conversation about shyness beaten out by medicine, creativity in different forms, inclusion work

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21:10

Rachel Gibbons: The Admin That Saved Lives

Only Human After All ·

2025/11/22

Rachel Gibbons works on reception in histopathology at Sherwood Forest Hospitals. She greets people with a smile, types reports and prepares MDT slides – but her knowledge gained from years in the department has saved lives closer to home than she ever imagined.In this episode, Rachel shares how her understanding of pathology helped spot cancer in three family members: her stepson's rare sarcoma, her own endometrial cancer, and a malignant melanoma on her husband's back. All three survived, thanks

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27:58

Saroona Haroon: The Sherlock Holmes of the Slide

Only Human After All ·

2025/11/08

Dr Saroona Haroon is a histopathologist at Sherwood Forest Hospitals and a self-described "detective of the microscope." In this conversation, she reveals the world behind the biopsies – the careful art of diagnosing disease from tiny tissue slices, the three-micron precision of lab work, and the deep satisfaction of solving diagnostic puzzles that directly help patients she'll never meet.Saroona talks about growing up surrounded by microscopes and x-ray boxes in her grandfather's GP practice,

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29:09

Claire Etches: Teaching Doctors the Paediatric Way

Only Human After All ·

2025/10/26

Claire Etches has spent 20 years caring for sick children on Ward 25. Two years ago she did something pretty unusual – she started teaching medical students. Not nursing students. Medical students.In this conversation, Claire talks about what it's like being the first nurse in her role at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, demystifying paediatrics for terrified students who've never held a baby, and why sometimes the best teacher for a junior doctor is the nurse who's been doing it for two decades. She

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29:18

Kate Wright: Celebrating Allied Health Professions,...

Only Human After All ·

2025/10/11

In this special episode for Allied Health Professional Day, Andrea and James celebrate the extraordinary world of AHPs with Kate Wright, Chief Allied Health Professional at Sherwood Forest Hospitals.Kate lifts the lid on the 14 professions that make up this vital, diverse workforce — from dietitians and physiotherapists to orthoptists, radiographers and paramedics. Together, they explore what unites these roles: a holistic approach to care, deep compassion for patients, and an ability to bring

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31:12

Zahid Noor: Grit, Gratitude and Belonging in the NHS

Only Human After All ·

2025/09/27

Respiratory physician and Associate Medical Director Dr Zahid Noor joins us to share a 35-year story of courage, grit and service — from arriving in the UK from Pakistan in 1989 to mentoring hundreds of internationally educated doctors at Sherwood Forest Hospitals. He recalls the early hurdles of PLAB, culture shock and living on £5 a week for food, right down to the “burnt chickpeas and baked beans” phone-home moment. With warmth and humility, Zahid explains why “thank you, please and sorry” are

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29:57

Tania Bacon: Paediatric Nursing, Side Quests and Pink...

Only Human After All ·

2025/09/14

Fifteen years into paediatric nursing, Tania Bacon is Deputy Ward Leader on Sherwood Forest’s Ward 25 and a driving force behind Greatex — positive incident reporting that captures what goes right so teams can learn from it. Tania takes us inside a 34-bed children’s ward where nurses often care for parents as much as for resilient young patients, and where playful “pink fluffy care” helps reduce fear and build trust. She shares how one night with a septic baby became a turning point, prompting

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29:31

Brent Gillicker: From Submarines to Scrubs

Only Human After All ·

2025/08/31

Brent Gillicker is a registered Operating Department Practitioner who once served as a Royal Navy submariner. He talks about bringing submarine-honed resourcefulness into theatres, expanding the ODP role as a surgical first assistant, and why details like a neat suture line matter to patients. Brent shares a simple idea that speeds change — his “iterative meeting” — and a leader-leader mindset inspired by Turn the Ship Around. We also explore the Armed Forces support network at Sherwood, mental

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29:18

Irvine Makani: Emergency Nursing via Aerospace...

Only Human After All ·

2025/08/03

Irvine Makani’s story is one of transformation, resilience, and heart.Trained in aerospace engineering and once dreaming of becoming a pilot, Irvine’s life took an unexpected turn following personal loss—and led him into nursing. In this powerful conversation, he reflects on his journey from South Africa to Zimbabwe to the UK, shares what it’s really like working on the frontline of emergency care, and opens up about race, identity, and finding belonging in the NHS. With wisdom, honesty, and

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24:52

Jodie Ward: Glitter, Grit and the Power of Play

Only Human After All ·

2025/07/27

Jodie Ward never planned to become a nurse. She joined the hospital as a hostess, delivering meals to patients — until one day, she overheard a nurse calming a distressed family and thought, “I want to do that.” In this heartwarming episode, Jodie takes us on her extraordinary journey from dinner trolley to children’s ward rising through the ranks as a single parent, becoming one of our first paediatric nursing associates and finally qualifying as a registered children’s nurse. She talks with humour

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28:35

Neelakshi Armugam: Radiology, Representation and...

Only Human After All ·

2025/07/06

In this inspiring episode of Only Human After All, we meet Dr Neelakshi "Neela" Armugam – Radiology Registrar, newly appointed Chief Registrar and all-round warm and wise presence at Sherwood Forest Hospitals. Neela shares her fascinating journey from a Mauritian family of nurses to becoming a doctor in a specialty she clearly loves. She opens up about her hopes for junior (or rather, “resident”) doctors, the importance of being seen and valued, and the power of food, gardening, and cake to build

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28:29

Nicki Williams: Nursing, Advocacy and Relentless Heart

Only Human After All ·

2025/06/22

In this inspiring episode, we meet Nicki Williams, a passionate and compassionate arrhythmia nurse specialist who opens up about her journey through cardiology, patient advocacy and life as a mum navigating serious health challenges at home. From supporting patients with complex heart rhythms and life-limiting conditions to her powerful volunteer work with POTS UK including a recent visit to Parliament, Nicki shares how listening, educating and empowering are at the heart of everything she does.We

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30:02

Amanda Barrett: A Nurse’s Journey from Bedside to...

Only Human After All ·

2025/06/08

In this episode of Only Human After All, we meet Amanda Barrett, a nurse by background who now leads major improvement projects across diagnostics.Amanda talks about her personal journey from ward leadership into project management, and how her nursing identity continues to shape her work. She gives a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the new Community Diagnostic Centre in Mansfield, a project that will deliver faster and more accessible tests in a welcoming community setting. Amanda shares

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27:32

Tom Palmer: Balancing the Books and Breaking the Mould

Only Human After All ·

2025/05/26

This week on Only Human After All, we meet Tom Palmer—an NHS financial controller with a surprising story.Tom shares how a love of maths and a leap into a finance apprenticeship led him into a decade-long NHS career. Along the way, he’s learned that good financial leadership isn’t about saying no—it’s about working alongside clinical teams to enable better care. He opens up about being an introvert in a collaborative world, overcoming a childhood stammer, and finding pride in helping turn

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31:24

Janine Foxhall: Policing to Patient Flow

Only Human After All ·

2025/05/11

In this episode, we meet Janine Foxhall, the Associate Director of Operations for Urgent and Emergency Care. Join us as we explore Janine's journey from studying languages to an unexpected career in the police force and her vital role in ensuring smooth patient flow through the hospital.Discover the intricate balance Janine and her team maintain, coordinating with various partners to facilitate efficient patient discharge, while prioritizing their well-being and personal needs. Janine shares her

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30:39

Laura Fisher: Making the Digital Leap

Only Human After All ·

2025/04/29

In this episode, hosts James Thomas and Andrea Clegg sit down with Laura Fisher, Head of Operational Change for the Digital Electronic Patient Records Programme at Sherwood Forest Hospitals.Laura’s story is one of transformation — both personal and organisational. Starting out as an Operating Department Practitioner, she now plays a key role in leading the trust through one of its biggest shifts: the move from paper to digital. But behind the systems and strategy is a story about people — about

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29:37

Liz Franklin: Empathy, Faith and Healing

Only Human After All ·

2025/04/13

In this episode of "Only Human After All," hosts James Thomas and Andrea Clegg delve into the inspiring journey of Liz Franklin, a hospital chaplain who enriches lives at Sherwood Forest Hospitals. Discover how Liz transitioned from a career in social work and mental health to becoming ordained in the Church of England.Through candid conversations, Liz shares her unique path to chaplaincy, highlighting the integral role of spirituality and holistic care in supporting patients and staff. Her story

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31:11

John Tansley: Rethinking Patient Safety in Human World

Only Human After All ·

2025/04/02

In this episode of Only Human After All, hosts James Thomas and Andrea Clegg sit down with John Tansley, the Clinical Director for Patient Safety—a man on a mission to transform how hospitals approach safety. John shares his journey from anaesthetist to patient safety specialist, revealing how his passion for systems thinking and problem-solving led him to step away from direct clinical care and into a role that reshapes how hospitals learn and improve. He challenges the old blame culture and

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