Shuri Podcast Series 2!

Welcome to our long-awaited series 2 of the Shuri Network podcast! Tune in to meet our fabulous new co-host Tracey Thomas, accompanied by returning co-host Ayesha Rahim from series 1. You can also find out more about what the Shuri Network has been up to since the last series. Enjoy!

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 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!

Shuri Network Podcasts

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

Ayesha, Ronke and Selina – our podcast hosts

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.

Picture of Dr Shera Chok
Dr Shera Chok

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.

Rachel Dunscombe and Pam Cairns

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.

Henrietta Mbeah-Bankas and Aasha Cowey

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.

Picture of Sonia Patel
Sonia Patel

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!

Dr Toral Thomas

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!

Maria de Souza

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_

Ming Tang

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.

Anna Awoliyi

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.

Eleonora Harwich and Indra Joshi

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