Our new podcast, 'More than a Hospital', delves into the untold and inspiring stories of the people at the heart of our hospitals.
In each episode, host Oli Lewington, who received a double lung transplant at Harefield in 2007, interviews a guest with a particular connection to Royal Brompton Hospital and Harefield Hospital, sharing the story that forged their experience. From patients and visitors, to staff and volunteers, we discover and celebrate the people that bring to life our hospitals' distinguished reputation and sense of community.
You can find each episode below, or listen to the episodes on Acast, Spotify or Apple.
Latest episode
Episode 8: The power of arts on physical and mental wellbeing
As part of Creativity and Wellbeing Week, we turn to our hospitals' popular arts programme, rb&hArts, to shine a light on how the role of arts can improve physical and mental health. We go behind the scenes of 'Singing for Breathing', an initiative designed for patients with respiratory conditions, giving them techniques through vocal exercises and song to help manage their breathing.
Previous episodes
Episode 7: Anzac Day 2024
Anzac Day, 25 April, is a national day of remembrance for all Australian and New Zealand soliders who served and lost their lives in war, marking the anniversary of the first major military action fought by members of the Australian and New Zealand Corps (ANZAC) during World War I.
In a special episode for Anzac Day 2024, we explore Harefield Hospital's unique connection with the ANZACs and the role it played in treating the injured. We hear from Harefield staff Clair Mullins and Mark Bowers who tell us what the connection between their workplace and birthplace (Australia) means to them, and historian Sarah Chaney shares some fascinating insights into this period of our history.
Episode 6: Professor Jane Somerville
As Women's History Month 2024 draws to a close, we hear from Professor Jane Somerville, paediatric cardiologist and Emeritus professor of cardiology at Imperial College London. Recognised internationally for her pioneering work in congenital heart disease, Jane tells us what it was like to be the chosen cardiologist for the first ever heart transplantation in the U.K., and the challenges that beset her at a time when women in medicine were still a minority.
Episode 5: International Women's Day
For International Women's Day 2024, we hear from three women whose distinguished careers in medicine have made an indellible mark. As women in medicine, their path to success has also been fraught with several challenges. Reflecting on this year's theme, 'inspire inclusion', Dr Nitha Naqvi, Dr Carol Ridge and Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan speak honestly about the barriers they've had to confront, and push through, to defy the glass ceiling.
Episode 4: Professor Andrew Bush
Following news that the sale of disposable vapes are to be banned in the UK in an attempt to crack down on the rise of vaping among children, Professor Andrew Bush, consultant paediatric chest physician at Royal Brompton Hospital, gives his take on the news, and talks about his ongoing campaign to introduce legislation that would ban the advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes to children.
Episode 3: Krishna Patel
Coinciding with Heart Month 2024, transplant recipient Krishna Patel speaks about his heart transplant journey, which followed in the wake of a cardiac arrest in 2022 when he was just 40 years old.
Episode 2: Jullien Gaer
Jullien Gaer, consultant cardiac surgeon at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals, tells the story of his time in Afghanistan during the height of the Afghanistan war, when he became involved in the development of a cardiac unit at a hospital in Kabul.
Episode 1: Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub
Marking the 40th anniversary of his carrying out Europe's first ever heart-lung transplant, Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub shares the story of the ground-breaking operation that heralded a new era for organ transplantation, as well as for Harefield Hospital.
More than a Hospital: Trailer
Host Oli Lewington introduces our new podcast, 'More than a Hospital', in which we delve into the stories of the people at the heart of our hospitals.