Welcome to our series 3 of the Shuri Network podcast! You can listen to the Shuri Network Podcast here: Shuri Network Podcast on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Series 3, episode 11 – “What is Clinical Safety?”
Welcome to the last episode of Series 3 of the podcast! To round us off we have the brilliant Zainab Hussain, Clinical Safety Officer at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust talking about all things clinical safety. We hear how clinical safety is important for everyone working in digital health, not just clinical informaticians. We also discuss differing global attitudes to clinical safety, the art of a robust business case and the new frontier of Artificial Intelligence. Zainab also tells us about her experiences on the NHS Digital Academy diploma course, and the intersectionality of multiple minoritisation.
You can find out more about national Clinical Safety regulations for suppliers and for customers. You can also find out more about clinical safety training here.
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, and let us know what you think of the show, and if you’d like to hear a series 4 let us know!
Shout out to our technical engineer David Hills!
Music by Tortue Super Sonic, “Afro” https://m.facebook.com/TSSTortueSuperSonic/
Website: www.shurinetwork.com
Twitter/X: @NetworkShuri
Contact: shuripodtech@gmail.com
Series 3, episode 10 – “What is Career Progression?”
Welcome to our penultimate episode of the series. Today we are joined by the fantastic Monique Carayol – an executive coach and fellow podcaster with many years of experience in the NHS too. Monique takes us through a journey about harnessing the strengths of coming from a non-traditional background, and what unique qualities that brings to the table. We talk about authenticity and backing yourself, as well as finding what works for you in navigating the complex world of office politics. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did, and if you want to check out Monique’s podcast you can find out more here: Bravery in the Boardroom
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, and let us know what you think of the show!
Shout out to our technical engineer David Hills
Music by Tortue Super Sonic, “Afro” https://m.facebook.com/TSSTortueSuperSonic/
Website: www.shurinetwork.com
Twitter/X: @NetworkShuri
Contact: shuripodtech@gmail.com
Series 3, episode 9 – “What is Digital Primary Care?”
We hope you all had a good break over the festive period. Now for our first podcast episode of 2025 – episode 9 – we meet with Dr Minal Bakhai, National Director for Primary Care Transformation at NHS England. As a GP herself, Minal tells us about her experiences of working at the coalface of primary care. We hear about the challenges of health inequalities for under-served communities, as well as the opportunities that digital health provides to level the playing field of health outcomes. She also tells us about her very personal motivation for doing the work she does, and how the world of digital transformation needs more people from diverse backgrounds.
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, and let us know what you think of the show!
Shout out to our technical engineer:
- David Hills
Music by Tortue Super Sonic, “Afro” https://m.facebook.com/TSSTortueSuperSonic/
Website: www.shurinetwork.com
Twitter/X: @NetworkShuri
Contact: shuripodtech@gmail.com
Series 3, episode 8 – Bonus Episode: Shuri Fellow Spotlight – Tosin Akinlabi
Season’s greetings for our cheeky bonus episode! As a little holiday gift to you all we are delighted to be joined by Digital Nurse, and Shuri Network Fellowship scheme alumna Tosin Akinlabi. In this interview, Tosin tells us about her remarkable journey and all the hard work it’s taken to reach her current position. She talks about juggling family life, education, setbacks and winning the Digital Health Rising Star Award 2024 this summer – did we also mention she’s an author? Get ready to be inspired and impressed – we hope you enjoy listening.
An Introduction to Digital Nursing – book by Tosin Akinlabi
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, and let us know what you think of the show!
Shout out to our technical engineer: David Hills
Music by Tortue Super Sonic, “Afro” https://m.facebook.com/TSSTortueSuperSonic/
Website: www.shurinetwork.com
Twitter/X: @NetworkShuri
Contact: shuripodtech@gmail.com
Series 3, Episode 7 – “What is a Developer?”
Today sees the launch of episode 7 of series 3, and today our special guest is Ziana Butt, Program & Project Management Analyst at Accenture and multi-faceted Renaissance Woman extraordinaire. Ziana takes us through her career journey as a developer, and shares her insights into the skills and attributes that can help you in that role. But not only that, we will also hear about her other roles which include being an elite athlete, an author, and an EDI activist. And last but not least, she also tells us about the apprenticeship training route that she took, and how technology can be a career for all. Prepare to be blown away by a fantastic role model – we definitely were.
Shout out to our technical engineer David Hills.
Music by Tortue Super Sonic, “Afro” https://m.facebook.com/TSSTortueSuperSonic/
Website: www.shurinetwork.com
Twitter/X: @NetworkShuri
Contact: shuripodtech@gmail.com
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, and let us know what you think of the show!
Series 3, Episode 6 – “What is a Chief Digital Information Officer?”
In our sixth episode, we hear from Andy Callow, Chief Digital and Transformation Officer at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust. Andy takes us through the difference between a CIO and CDIO, what it means to be a Board-level digital professional, and why being an expert in every aspect of technology isn’t necessarily the most important credential you need for the role. We’ll also hear some real talk about his journey into pro-active allyship around race equality, practical tips for others wanting to understand the “how”, and even some thoughts on career progression for everyone. You can learn more through his excellent blog here, including the popular How not to suck at NHS job offer negotiations entry. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we did!
In addition, here is the Tom Loosemore definition of digital, The Matthew Syed book Rebel Ideas: The Power of Diverse Thinking, Robin DiAngelo’s book White Fragility, and the Skills Passion Matrix mentioned in the episode.
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, and let us know what you think of the show!
Shout out to our technical engineer David Hills
Music by Tortue Super Sonic, “Afro” https://m.facebook.com/TSSTortueSuperSonic/
Website: www.shurinetwork.com
Twitter/X: @NetworkShuri
Contact: shuripodtech@gmail.com
Series 3, Episode 5 – ““What is innovation?”
Today in our 5th episode we’re talking all about innovation – that word that gets bandied about so often in health tech. But what actually is innovation? Why is the starting point sometimes controversial? Why is the NHS not quite as unique as we think? And if you have an innovative idea, where should you start? Here to answer all of these questions and more is true renaissance woman Aahuti Rai: Healthcare Innovation Advisor, Venture Partner, and founder of Four Points Consulting.
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, and let us know what you think of the show!
Shout out to our technical engineer David Hills
Music by Tortue Super Sonic, “Afro” https://m.facebook.com/TSSTortueSuperSonic/
Website: www.shurinetwork.com
Twitter/X: @NetworkShuri
Contact: shuripodtech@gmail.com
Series 3, Episode 4 – “What is the Equity Charter?”
In our fourth episode, we’re joined by Dr Victoria Betton, Director of people.com and Hassan Chaudhury, Head of Commercial at Great Ormond Street Hospital, who co-founded the Equity Charter along with our very own Ayesha Rahim. Hear the team talk about why “equity” is so important within the digital health world, why it’s not enough to be passively “not racist”, what the Equity Charter is, and how you can get involved.
You can also hear Ayesha reading out the statement of support from the Rt. Hon. Diane Abbott MP for this work here, the text of which is reproduced in full below:
“Racism has no place in any part of our society, including in our digital health systems. The potential for pervasive discrimination within these platforms, products and within the organisations who produce them not only undermines trust, but also denies individuals the equitable care they deserve. Any healthcare-related industry has a particular responsibility to consider its impact on people, and we must hold it to the highest standards of equity and justice.
By promoting fairness and inclusion, the Equity Charter is paving the way for a more just and humane digital health landscape. This is everybody’s job to tackle, and we must all play our part in dismantling systemic racism and ensuring equitable access to healthcare.
To all attendees of the Equity Charter summit, I urge you to carry these actions forward beyond this event. Public confidence in the health tech industry depends on our collective efforts to support the delivery of care for everyone in society. Let us commit to continuous advocacy, policy reform, and education in our communities and workplaces. Together, we must strive for a future where every individual receives the healthcare they are entitled to, regardless of their background. Your ongoing dedication is crucial in making equity in digital health a lasting reality.”
Finally, thank you to the following organisations who have supported the Equity Charter so far: Blüm, Silver Buck, Meet Health, The King’s Fund, Bevan Brittan LLP, and ReStart Consulting
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, and let us know what you think of the show!
Shout out to our technical engineer David Hills.
Music by Tortue Super Sonic, “Afro” https://m.facebook.com/TSSTortueSuperSonic/
Website: www.shurinetwork.com
Twitter/X: @NetworkShuri
Contact: shuripodtech@gmail.com
Series 3, Episode 3 – “What is a portfolio career?”
For our third episode, we’re joined by Dr Lia Ali, Clinical Adviser in the Transformation Directorate of NHS England, and Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Lia helps us navigate that frequently asked question of what a “portfolio career” is, and how you might get one. She takes us through a no-holds-barred description of the challenges she has faced, but also the positive enablers and the people who have helped her along the way. We’ll also touch on User-Centred Design and collaborating internationally, and what this has to do with vegetable peelers (see also Series 2 Episode 2 for our dedicated episode on UCD). Listen to the show, and find out if a portfolio career is for you.
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, and let us know what you think of the show!
Shout out to our technical engineer David Hills¬
Music by Tortue Super Sonic, “Afro” https://m.facebook.com/TSSTortueSuperSonic/
Website: www.shurinetwork.com
Twitter/X: @NetworkShuri
Contact: shuripodtech@gmail.com
Series 3, Episode 2 – “What’s new in AI?”
In our second episode of the series, we’re joined by Dr Jess Morley, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Yale Digital Ethics Centre. Jess tells us about what’s new in AI since we released our original episode on AI back in 2022, key questions to ask software suppliers using AI in their products, and why the field needs everyone to move it along – not just technical experts. Check out the links below to courses and resources mentioned in the episode, and enjoy the show!
The Alan Turing Institute
MIT Online
Coursera
Python Courses & Tutorials | Codecademy
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, and let us know what you think of the show!
Shout out to our technical engineer David Hills!
Music by Tortue Super Sonic, “Afro” https://m.facebook.com/TSSTortueSuperSonic/
Website: www.shurinetwork.com
Twitter/X: @NetworkShuri
Contact: shuripodtech@gmail.com
Series 3, Episode 1 – “What is Allyship?”
Welcome to Series 3 of the Shuri Network podcast! In this episode we’re talking all things allyship. We will get to know our new co-host Carolyn Barkin, an Independent Digital Health Consultant and why she thought twice about taking on the hosting role. In addition, our special guest is Bernice Hewson – Executive Coach and founder of Raising Racial Consciousness Ltd, which helps leadership teams on their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion journey. Tune in to listen to us explore the concept of allyship, and how it can be a thing of beauty! We hope you enjoy the new series.
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, and let us know what you think of the show!
Shout out to our technical engineer David Hills!
- Music by Tortue Super Sonic, “Afro” https://m.facebook.com/TSSTortueSuperSonic/
- Website: www.shurinetwork.com
- Twitter/X: @NetworkShuri
- Contact: shuripodtech@gmail.com
Shuri Podcast Series 2
Listen to the series 2 episodes as they appear, on the Soundcloud link below. You can find the episodes wherever you listen to your podcasts, or simply check back below every two weeks for new content. Let us know what you think!
Series 2, Episode 2 notes “What is User-Centred Design”?
Have you ever wondered why the NHS website uses terms like “pee” and “poo” rather than the more medical terms “urine” and “stools”? or why we should ban the phrase “hard to reach”? You’ll find the answers in this episode exploring the field of User-Centred Design. Hear from our guest expert, Rochelle Gold about the international standards for Human-Centred Design (ISO 9241-210) and how they underpin the Six principles of human-centred design as used by the NHS. Happy listening!
Series 2, Episode 3 notes “What is Cybersecurity”?
Does cybersecurity have you baffled? Do cybersecurity specialists seem like lone wolves working in shady basements? Does it all feel a bit remote? Think again. Hear from our two experts Pooja P and Nicole Wong on what a brilliantly connected and networked community cyber-specialists are. Learn about the Women in Cybersecurity organisation, and get advice on how you can get into this growth area. Who knows, maybe your next job will be in cyber! Enjoy the show.
Series 2, Episode 4 notes “What is Digital Social Care”?
Welcome to Series 2, Episode 4 of the Shuri Network podcast. Ever wondered where social care fits into the world of digital health and care? You’re in for a treat, as we have Mark Nicholas, Head of Profession for Social Care Informatics at NHS England and Alison Nation, Associate Director for Digital Strategy at NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board talking us through the complexity of Digital Social Care. You’ll hear about local innovation in social care, how care data can be used to address inequalities, and a host of other resources to explore if you are interested in this area. Mentioned in the episode are: the Topol Fellowships which help people deliver their own digital projects within health and care, the NHS Digital Academy which delivers a number of training programmes supporting digital transformation, Socitm which is a membership body promoting innovation in the public sector and particularly for Local Authorities, the Digital Health Networks which is a community for digital health and care leaders (and friends of the Shuri Network!), the BCS (British Computer Society) which is a professional membership body across all sectors of IT (including health and care), the Digital Social Care website which is a space for advice and support for social care providers, and finally a plug for the South West Digital Health and Care Skills Development Network – one of the regional digital skills and training hubs in England. Check out the links, and enjoy the episode!
Series 2, Episode 5 notes “What is Digital Ethics”?
Welcome to Series 2, Episode 5 of the Shuri Network podcast. What do we mean by “digital ethics”? Is it the same as legal regulations? What about the considerations for sharing very sensitive health data, the potential for Artificial Intelligence to impact inequality in different demographic groups, and digital inequalities in general? Find the answers to this and more from our special guest Rafiah Patel, Chief Digital Ethics and Privacy Officer (and Shuri Network Steering Group member) on today’s show. You can also learn more about the Digital Pioneer Fellowship for those in South West London here. So, check out the link, and enjoy the episode!
Series 2, Episode 6 notes “What is a Chief Technology Officer”?
Welcome to Series 2, Episode 6 of the Shuri Network podcast. What actually is a “Chief Technology Officer” (and not a Chief Technical Officer as we mistakenly kept calling it!)? Is there just one type of CTO, with one clear training pathway? Today you’ll hear from Hema Purohit, CTO at Microsoft who’ll give us the answers to these questions, as well as talking about the challenges of helping the NHS whilst sitting in the industry sector. Hema also mentions her experience of being an Asian woman in tech, along with advice for aspiring CTOs. So, have a listen, and enjoy the episode!
Series 2, Episode 7 notes “What is Business Intelligence”?
Welcome to Series 2, Episode 7 of the Shuri Network podcast. Have you heard of the term “Business Intelligence”? Do you know what it really involves? Look no further, because this episode is “What is Business Intelligence?” with our special guest Rush Miah, Head of Business Intelligence at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. You’ll hear about where your data goes as a patient receiving healthcare in the NHS, what it’s used for and the growth of population health. And if you’re interested in dipping your toe into data-related careers you’ll hear about the broad range of jobs available, and the importance of role models. We hope you enjoy this episode – let us know what you think!
Series 2, Episode 8 notes “What is Digital Transformation”?
Welcome to Series 2, Episode 8 of the Shuri Network podcast. This week, we’re asking the question “What is Digital Transformation?” Our special guest Tayo Iloh breaks down this broad topic into a clear description of the different roles within the field, including the difference between Project Management and Product Management. We also hear about how being steeped in a technical background can sometimes be a disadvantage in these roles. And of course, we also touch on the equality, diversity and inclusion elements, and the importance of not just mentoring for yourself, but mentoring others. Enjoy the show!
Series 2, Episode 9 notes “What do we mean by Health Inequalities”?
Welcome to Series 2, Episode 9 of the Shuri Network podcast. Today we’re joined by Professor Bola Owolabi who shares her journey to advocating for those experiencing significantly poorer health outcomes compared with the general population, grounded in her work as a GP in Derbyshire. We hear about how to advance the causes you care about whilst rolling with resistance you might come across, the importance of digital inclusion by design, and recognising the role that we as individuals can play in advocating for those most disadvantaged. You can also learn more about the Core20Plus5 here, the book Relational Change by Liz Wiggins, and the NHS England Health Inequalities hub. Enjoy the episode, and let us know what you think!
Series 2, Episode 10 notes “What is the Shuri Network Fellowship Scheme”?
Welcome to the final episode of Series 2, Episode 10 of the Shuri Network podcast: What is the Shuri Network Fellowship Scheme? In this last episode we are delighted to tell you about our flagship programme. Bisi Soledolu, Programme Manager for the Shuri Network tells us about this scheme which she helps run, its aims and impact, and also shares her own professional journey. Grace Armonio Nieves, Preceptorship Lead for Nurses and Nursing Associates and graduate of cohort 2 of the programme, tells us about her experience of being on the scheme and the game-changing impact it has had on her career. Cohort 3 is now underway as of September 2023, but look out for more opportunities in 2024! Or, if could see yourself as a speaker on this course, or if you are a qualified coach and you would like to offer your support, please contact us at shuri@nhs.net. Thank you for listening to Series 2, and if you would like to hear more – do let us know!
Did you miss Series 1? You can still listen to all episodes on the Soundcloud link above, to hear about the world of digital health, through the eyes of our fantastic and inspirational guests. You can find the episodes wherever you listen to your podcasts, or simply check back below every two weeks for new content. Let us know what you think!
The award-winning Shuri Network is the first NHS and care network of BAME women in digital health. In this fortnightly podcast series we aim to demystify what digital health is all about, and also to bring you insights into how some of our inspirational female leaders from ethnic minority groups and allies have got to where they are.
Series 1 Episode 1 notes “Getting to know the podcast hosts”
Welcome to the first ever Shuri Network podcast! In this episode we will introduce you to our hosts, dig into their journeys in Digital Health, and hear what this podcast series is all about.
Tune in to hear from:
• Dr Ayesha Rahim, Chief Clinical Information Officer at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
• Ronke Adejolu, Associate Nurse Director at NHSX
• Selina Lee, Healthcare Client Executive at Microsoft
Series 1 Episode 2 notes “What is the Shuri Network?”
Today’s episode is all how the Shuri Network was founded, what we have achieved so far, and our hopes are for the future. Telling us all about this is the Shuri Network co-founder and chair Dr Shera Chok, a GP in Tower Hamlets, and Deputy Chief Medical Officer at NHS Digital.
Series 1 Episode 3 notes “What does Digital Health mean?”
Ever wondered what “digital health” actually means? Look no further! In this episode we’ll be hearing from Rachel Dunscombe, CEO of the NHS Digital Academy and Principal at Tektology, along with Pam Cairns, Data Liaison Manager at NHS Digital. You’ll hear about their journeys, their values, and what digital means to them.
Series 1 Episode 4 notes “How can you start a career in digital health?”
Want to know how “technical” you need to be in order to work in digital health? Interested in finding out about the career options in this enormous field? Our guests today are Henrietta Mbeah-Bankas, Head of Blended Learning and Digital Learning and Development Lead at Health Education England , and Aasha Cowey, Strategic Transformation Lead at Surrey and Borders Partnership MHS Foundation Trust and co-founder of @FlexNHS. Find out more information about NHS careers in technology here, and if you want to know more about the Health Education England Digital Readiness programme, see this link. The career pathways project referenced by Aasha can be found here, along with a list of general job roles which exist in technology here.
Series 1 Episode 5 notes “What is a CIO?”
Not sure what a Chief Information Officer does? Confused about the difference between a CTO, a CDIO and a CIO? Fear not! Sonia Patel, Chief Information Officer at NHSX is here to explain all this and more. You’ll hear about how digital teams in the NHS supported the covid-19 pandemic, and the importance of compassion in technology. Sonia also describes her own route to her current position, and offers fabulous advice for others who might want to follow in her footsteps.
Series 1 Episode 6 notes “What is a Chief Clinical Information Officer?”
In this episode we explore the role of CCIOs with our special guest Dr Toral Thomas, Psychiatrist and CCIO at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS foundation Trust. Think you need to be highly technical if you’re a clinician who wants to work in digital health? Think again! You’ll hear Toral’s passion coming through as he demystifies this role, and talks about the focus on transformation.
You’ll also hear him mention resources for people interested in this career such as the NHS Digital Academy and the Topol Digital Fellowships.
Enjoy the show!
Series 1 Episode 7 notes “What is a Chief Nursing Informatics/Information Officer?”
This episode explores the role of nurses working in digital health. We know that the nursing profession is under-represented in the field of clinical informatics – so if you’ve ever wondered how to “break in” to the profession, give this is a listen. We hear from the wonderful Maria de Souza, CNIO at the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. She shares her career journey, why she is proud to have the word “nurse” in her job title, and what a typical day looks like for her.
And if you’re interested in the Shuri Network shadowing scheme (available exclusively to our members), click on this link to find out more, and how you can either offer six hours of your time to an aspiring digital professional, or how you can find someone to shadow!
Series 1 Episode 8 notes “What role does data play in healthcare?”
Do you consider yourself to be an artistic person? Do you enjoy weaving a story? Did you know that you could use these attributes in a data-driven career? Ming Tang, Chief Data and Analytics Officer for NHS England/Improvement shows you how you can. We also touch on powerful stories of how data saved lives during the covid-19 pandemic, and the delicate balance of data-sharing whilst maintaining public trust.
You can register on the NHS Jobs website here to search for data-related roles in the NHS. And if you have an NHS email you can register here to access the NHS AnalystX community, and follow them on Twitter @AnalystX_
Series 1 Episode 9 notes “What is a Chief Allied Health Professional Information Officer?”
Ever wondered why we don’t hear about other health care professionals other than nurses and doctors working in health tech? So did we! So here’s Anna Awoliyi, an Allied Health Professional (and specifically an Operating Department Practitioner) explaining her unconventional route into her current role as a Chief Allied Health Professional Information Officer (CAHPIO). Anna tells us about how she keeps her energy and enthusiasm up, and pays it forward to others too. You’ll also hear a ton of constructive advice about how you also turbo-charge your career. You can read about the NHS Leadership Academy mentioned in the show, and you can even learn more about the 2022 Digital Health Summer School , where the Shuri Network itself was born.
Series 1 Episode 10 notes “What is Artificial Intelligence?”
Welcome to the final episode of series one of the Shuri Network podcast! (Yep, we’re feeling emotional too). Have you ever wanted to know a little bit more about AI but not sure where to start? Tune in for a beginner’s guide to the ins and outs of the use of AI in health and care. Indra Joshi (Head of AI at NHS England and Improvement) and Eleonora Harwich (Head of AI collaborations at NHS England and Improvement) talk us through the exciting possibilities of how AI can benefit patient care, as well as the ethical concerns and the safeguards in place to manage this. You will also hear about what is being done to counteract the potential for data bias in AI.
Here’s the link to the NHS AI lab where you’ll find a wealth of information if you want to learn more. Part of the lab includes the AI Award which helps put the theory into practice – you find out more here. You can also check out the fantastic network One Health Tech mentioned, who also support equality, diversity and inclusion in health tech.
Just a quick note to clarify that when the episode was recorded, NHSX was a separate entity. Since then, NHSX has merged back in to NHS England and Improvement hence the slight difference in job titles.
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, and let us know what you think of the all the shows!
Shout out to our technical engineer:
• David Hills
Music by Tortue Super Sonic, “Afro”
Website: www.shurinetwork.com
Twitter: @NetworkShuri
Contact: shuripodtech@gmail.com