Patient safety 2 - If we are psychologically safe, children are safer in our care
Release Date: 01/17/2024
Building Capacity 2: Alternative research pathways
RCPCH Podcasts
In the second episode of our Building Capacity: Past, Present and Future series, recorded at the RCPCH Trainee Research Network National Conference in Stafford, we explore stepping outside of standard training routes. Dr Leila Ellis of the Trainee Research Network speaks with Dr Sharna Shanmugavadivel and Dr Priyen Shah about how their careers have developed beyond the conventional clinical academic route. They discuss finding opportunities, mentors and how research experience can open doors into areas such as policy, artificial intelligence and health technology. Sharna and...
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Building Capacity 1: Routes to get involved in research
RCPCH Podcasts
In the first episode of our Building Capacity: Past, Present and Future series, recorded at the RCPCH Trainee Research Network National Conference in Stafford, we explore some of the different ways paediatricians can become involved in research. Dr Leila Ellis of the Trainee Research Network speaks with Professor Will Carroll, Professor Damian Roland and Dr Jon Elliot about the current child health research landscape and why research should be part of everyday paediatric practice. They discuss the importance of building research capacity beyond traditional academic centres, how...
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Leading the Way 15: Giving leadership a go, with Dr Chakrapani Vasudevan
RCPCH Podcasts
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. ...
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Leading the Way 14: Leading through improvement, with Dr Yincent Tse
RCPCH Podcasts
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...
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Child health research 2: Getting started and finding support with, Professor Will Carroll
RCPCH Podcasts
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....
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Leading the Way 13: Leading change, with Dr Nadeem Moghal
RCPCH Podcasts
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...
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Understanding the RCPCH Assessment Review - changes to workplace-based assessments
RCPCH Podcasts
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...
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Leading the Way 12: The quiet power of SAS doctor leadership, with Dr Kumar Swamy
RCPCH Podcasts
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...
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Child health research 1: Digital health technologies, with Professor Paul Dimitri
RCPCH Podcasts
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...
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Influencing the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act
RCPCH Podcasts
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...
info_outlinePsychological safety in healthcare settings is the condition in which you feel included, safe to learn, safe to contribute and safe to challenge the status quo - without fear of being embarrassed, marginalised or punished. And it's an essential foundation in building a safety culture.
Individually, feeling psychologically safe improves performance and innovation, while feeling unsafe reduces productivity and harms retention. In a highly productive team, it is about feeling safe to take risks, to learn from each other and to feel resilient and able to tackle the difficult and varying challenges of healthcare with a healthy mindset.
This is the second episode in our patient safety series and features Dr Dal Hothi and Dr Jess Morgan. Learn how you can reflect on your own behaviour, champion effective communication and create a psychologically safe space within your team.
Hosts: Dr Natalie Wyatt, RCPCH Clinical Fellow and Jonathan Bamber, RCPCH Head of Quality Improvement
Produced by 18Sixty
Please be advised that this podcast series contains stories relating to child death and harm. All views, thoughts and opinions expressed belong to the guests and not necessarily to their employer, linked organisations or RCPCH.
If you are a healthcare professional and you are worried that you are suffering with burnout please speak to your team, your GP or Practitioner Health.
About the speakers
Dr Dal Hothi is a paediatric nephrologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital. She's also a Director of Leadership Development at the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management, as well as being an Officer for Lifelong Careers at the RCPCH.
Dr Jess Morgan is a paediatric doctor and Dinwoodie RCPCH Fellow who leads on the RCPCH Thrive Paediatrics Project along with Dal.
About the patient safety podcast series
As doctors we ‘first, do no harm’. However, the systems in which we work are rife with safety issues and resultant harm. In thinking about how to improve this, we have brought together leaders in the field to discuss challenging and thought-provoking issues around keeping our children safe in healthcare settings.
We hope you will be entertained, educated, and energised to make strides in improving the safety of the children that you care for.
To learn more, visit the RCPCH Patient Safety Portal and begin your journey in improving your own psychological safety and that of those you work with.
Links for topics/organisations/papers referenced in this episode
- Dinwoodie
- Thrive Paediatrics at RCPCH
- Amy Edmondson and psychological safety
- Tim Clark’s four stage model of psychological safety
- Freedom to Speak Up (The National Guardian)
- Charles Vincent ("Safety is not defined by the absence of negative outcomes") - The Health Foundation: The measurement and monitoring of safety