Let's Talk - With Mel Pickup

<div>Mel Pickup is Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust. In this podcast series, she sits down with colleagues and partners, from across the trust and the wider community, to find out more about them and their contributions to the health and wellbeing of people in Bradford. </div>

31: Health on the High Street

Join Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, for a conversation with Iain Macbeath, Strategic Director of Health and Wellbeing at Bradford Council, as he introduces the groundbreaking Health on the High Street initiative. Inspired by Barnsley’s successful model, the scheme aims to bring NHS services such as outpatient clinics, diagnostics, and minor procedures into accessible city-centre spaces like shopping centres. Discover how Bradford is leading the way in rethinking healthcare delivery, and why making care more accessible, efficient, and humane could shape the future of the NHS.

09-19
16:31

30: 10 Year Health Plan

Join Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, for a conversation with Matthew Walmsley, Physiotherapist, who shares how his team is already helping to turn the vision of the NHS’ new 10 Year Plan into reality. From shifting care closer to home, to a focus on prevention and the adoption of digital tools, Matthew highlights how these changes are already improving patient care and shaping the future of the NHS.

08-22
22:59

29: Volunteers

Join Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, for a conversation with Clare Bancroft, Head of Volunteering, and David Goodwin, one of our amazing volunteers here at the Trust, as they explore the vital role volunteers play in supporting patients, staff, and services. From personal stories to behind-the-scenes insights, this episode celebrates the power of giving time, the difference it makes in our hospital community, and how you can get involved.

07-18
19:20

28: Thrive Conference - Panel Session 2

In this special episode, Chief Executive Mel Pickup hosts a powerful conversation recorded live at the 2025 Thrive Conference, centred on the theme "Belonging Throughout the Ages: Past, Present & Future." Join us for an inspiring conversation exploring how we lead with belonging at the heart of everything we do — and how a strong sense of belonging helps us build resilient, effective teams. Dr Saman Khan, Medical Director of Operations, and Faye Alexander, Head of Education, will share their insights on the role of belonging in shaping inclusive leadership, fostering team cohesion, and supporting staff at every stage of their journey in the NHS.

06-20
13:40

27: Thrive Conference - Panel session 1

In this special episode, Chief Executive Mel Pickup hosts a powerful conversation recorded live at the 2025 Thrive Conference, centred on the theme "Belonging Throughout the Ages: Past, Present & Future." This inspiring panel discussion brings together colleagues from across the Trust to reflect on what it means to belong in today’s NHS — at every stage of life and career. We will hear from Alida Towns, Education Lead, Abdellatif Mohamed, A&E Clinical Practice Educator and Mortimer Fraser, Clinical Educator about the challenges international colleagues face when they first arrive at the Trust, and what we can all learn from how we welcome international colleagues  from around the world.

05-23
20:56

26: Bradford Fire 40th Anniversary

Join Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, for a conversation with Angela O'Neill, who was a 21-year-old enrolled nurse at the time of the Bradford Stadium Fire and found herself at the heart of the hospital’s response. We will also hear the recollections of Matthew Wildman, the last surviving person to be pulled out of the stadium fire.

04-17
21:42

25: Neurological Rehabilitation

Join Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, for a compelling conversation with Emily Noble, Parkinson's Physiotherapist, and Sophie Meredith, Occupational Therapist, who joined the Neurological Rehabilitation Team through Parkinson’s UK pump-primed roles. They will share with us how the Neurological Rehabilitation team has transformed care for people with Parkinson’s, significantly reducing therapy assessment wait times and enhancing patient outcomes.

03-21
35:48

24: Nipple Innovation Project

Join Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, for a compelling conversation with Lucy Thompson, founder of the Nipple Innovation Project, and Cathy Tait, Breast Surgeon. Together, they explore the transformative impact of the Nipple Innovation project, which provides breast cancer patients with hyper-realistic 3D nipple tattoos following surgery—helping to restore confidence and a sense of self.

02-21
28:23

23: Robotic Surgery

In this podcast Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, engages in a compelling discussion with Rajindra Singh, a Consultant Oncologist and Urological Surgeon, about the transformative world of robotic surgery. This episode delves into the evolution of surgical techniques, the benefits of robotic surgery for both patients and surgeons, and the future of this innovative technology. .

11-22
18:32

22: Nursing Associate Recognition Day

Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mel Pickup, is joined by Jessica Beattie, Practice Educator, and Clare Chippendale, Staff Nurse, who told us about the Nursing Associate programme, and how this relatively new role opens so many doors for colleagues.

10-18
21:06

21: Staff Recognition

Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mel Pickup, is joined by Cat Shutt, Head of Organisational Development, and Carly Wilson, Recruitment and Onboarding Lead, to talk about staff recognition at BTHFT. Cat and Carly will talk about their role in bettering employee experience here at the Trust

09-20
26:06

20: Research at BTHFT

Jen and Pepper talk about their role in encouraging and engendering a culture of research activity here at the Trust. 

08-23
30:29

19: Magnet4Europe

Sally and Amy talk about how Magnet4Europe is transforming nursing practice and improving the experience for staff and patients in Bradford.

07-19
25:02

18: Palliative Care

Jamilla and Victoria discuss both the importance and challenges of palliative care as well as the innovative research being conducted to improve end-of-life care. 

06-21
36:01

17: International Nurses Day

International colleagues Abdellatif and Diogo discuss their journeys to working at the Trust and some of the highlights and challenges they faced along the way. 

05-24
22:10

16: The Voluntary & Community Sector with Sam Keighley (Rebroadcast)

Sam speaks about her commitment to social justice and her long career in public, voluntary and social enterprise organisations. She also speaks about the work of the alliance and the important role it plays in the health and wellbeing of the people in our district.

04-18
18:46

15: Celebrating our Nurses - The DAISY awards

Samantha tells us about why the awards were founded and how they were introduced at the Trust. Melbourne, originally from the Philippines, shares the story of her journey to Bradford and her pride in being one of the first DAISY Award Honourees in our hospitals. 

02-14
20:04

14: Graduate Management Trainees

Aisha, who has a background in politics and started her journey in the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) department before moving to Maxillofacial Services, tells us all about the scheme and shares her diverse experiences within the Trust.

01-19
17:22

13: Dear Erica

Erica tells us about why she founded Dear Erica and the benefits this online community has brought to agency and bank staff, as well as sisters and matrons. 

11-17
17:32

12: Veteran Aware at BTHFT

Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mel Pickup, is joined by Fiona Mattison, Complaints Lead for Urgent, Elderly and Specialist Medicine and Bashir Ahmed, a Service Manager for Surgery and Digestive Diseases to talk about the Trust's Veteran Aware Accreditation. 

09-21
26:34

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