A Clear Voice

In this episode, host Natalie Watson speaks with ENT surgeon Dr Andile Sibiya about laryngology care in South Africa, and the unique challenges facing the population in terms of the size of the area and population, and the huge reliance on limited public health services.When Dr Sibiya first started in the province, she was tasked with re-strategising the entire ENT service. She spent a lot of time visiting different facilities to determine areas that were being underserved, laryngology being one of them.In the latter half of the episode, there is a discussion about innovations like the Trachealator that have been transformational to the community as a whole, emphasising the significant role of collaboration and training in improving patient outcomes. As well as discussions around access to training and other development opportunities.We hope you enjoy this insightful episode.Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

In this episode, our host, Natalie Watson, invites  Fiona Gillies, Emma Webber, and Sarah Wallace OBE, to discuss post-COVID effects on the larynx and the long COVID project run by the Royal College of Speech and Language therapists. The RC SLT project is led by a dedicated group of professionals working to create patient handbooks, fact sheets, and data collection tools. These resources aim to provide clinicians and patients with a deeper understanding of long COVID and its implications on speech and swallowing, aiding in effectively managing these complications.The conversation continues, covering a critical care perspective and the trends emerging from patients admitted with COVID to ITU to post-critical care follow-up clinics to outpatient care and the presenting symptoms of long COVID who have not received critical care. What are the treatments available to offer?  COVID-19's impact on the larynx and the role of speech therapy in recovery is a complex and rapidly evolving area. More research and data to further understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the larynx is required and will be instrumental in guiding future treatment approaches and enhancing patient outcomes.Input into new long COVID guidance | RCSLTWe hope you enjoy listening. Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

In this episode, host Natalie Watson is joined by Professor Ahmed Geneid,  head of the Phoniatrics Department, Helsinki University Hospital of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, to discuss chronic cough, a common issue in laryngology exploring the leading causes of chronic cough, including factors like asthma, smoking, pollutants, reflux, and ACE inhibitors. Professor Geneid shares his treatment approach, emphasising video endoscopy's importance in examining the larynx and trachea. He discusses his encounters with previously undiagnosed trachea cancer, adding complexity to the condition.The second part of this episode looks into the technical aspects of managing chronic cough. Professor Geneid explains his method for administering local anaesthetic for tracheoscopy. He outlines his strategy for addressing laryngeal hypersensitivity and explores treatment options for chronic neuropathic cough. These include techniques like sipping water and deep swallowing and interventions like amitriptyline, speech and language therapy, and cortisone/lidocaine injections. In conclusion, this episode is a comprehensive guide on chronic cough, taking listeners from diagnosis to treatment. The insights provided by Professor Genied are invaluable for those dealing with this common ailment. While the complexities of chronic cough are vast, with the proper knowledge and treatment techniques, it can be effectively managed.We hope you enjoy listening. Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Have you ever considered the connection between singing and laryngology?  In this episode, Declan Costello, a celebrated consultant ear, nose, and throat surgeon, ENT and Audiology News editor and current President of the British Laryngological Association, explores this topic with host Natalie Watson.  With a background as a Choral Scholar at St John's College, Cambridge, Declan's passion for singing led him to become a specialist in voice disorders.  We also delve into the intricate world of voice disorders, particularly as they relate to singers—voice disorders in singers versus non-singers, and the evolving views on reflux and persistent throat symptoms.   We hope you enjoy listening to this episode. Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Welcome to the first episode of series 5 of BLA Connections; A Clear Voice. In this episode, Natalie chats with the current President and Immediate President of the BLA, Mr Declan Costello and Prof Guri Sandhu.Prof Sandhu  is  a founding member of the BLA and immediate past President of the Laryngology & Rhinology section at the RSM. He is a Consultant Otolaryngologist and Head & Neck Surgeon at Imperial College and The Royal Brompton Hospitals in London and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Imperial College and University College London. He is a pioneering laryngologist with a special interest in laryngotracheal stenosis. In 2016 he received the Isshiki Award for his outstanding contribution to laryngology. Under his leadership, Prof  Sandhu has increased educational events both in-person and remotely, bringing the BLA community together again in person whilst keeping the accessibility online learning offers. Most notably, with a new venture as the BLA and the UEP will join forces to present a one-day meeting on voice-related topics. This inaugural meeting will occur on the 14th of September at the RSM London. Mr Costello is also a founding member of the BLA. He is a consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon specialising in voice disorders. He studied music at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he was a choral scholar and went on to study medicine at Imperial College. As a singer himself, he has a particular interest in treating voice disorders in performers. He has published a number of books and has written many chapters, including the chapter on Larynx for the 42nd edition of Grey's Anatomy. Declan is on the Presidential Council of the European Laryngological Society and the editor of ENT and Audiology News.The panellists also look to the future of the BLA, including the upcoming joint meeting with the UEP fostering further international links for the association and further accessibility for all with an interest in laryngology with plans of further study days, workshops, podcasts and webinars.  Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

In the final episode of series 4 of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, host Natalie Watson is joined by Professor Reza Nouraei, Consultant Laryngologist and Tracheal Surgeon at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, to discuss how to oxygenate our patients whilst operating on the larynx under general anaesthetic. Prof Nouraei walks us step-by-step through THRIVE and other tubeless ventilation methods. “You have all the time in the world to put a scope in, as long as it's less than three minutes.”This quote from Prof David Howard, a global Laryngology pioneer and a friend and mentor to many UK Laryngologists including Prof Nouraei, was an inspiration to search for methods of increasing apnoea time.THRIVE is essentially a method of ventilating patients who are under general anaesthesia and under conditions of muscle paralysis (i.e. apnoea), by filling the upper airways with oxygen and by activating a ventilatory exchange process which increases the time to desaturation. As well as explaining the functions and indications for THRIVE, Prof Nouraei shares his tips and insights for using the procedure successfully, including which patients and conditions might not be suitable for it. We also discuss other ventilation strategies and new airway management tools for further improving them.To ensure that patients with acutely compromised airways are managed safely, it is vital to understand the anatomy of laryngoscopy and to appreciate how the sharp angle between the lips and the larynx is converted into a straight line. This enables the laryngologist to create safe access corridors for oxygenation and for shared-airway surgery after the patient has been anaesthetised and has been rendered apnoeic. Apnoeic ventilation has been a major game changer for our specialty, as well, more broadly, for the care of patients with complex and compromised airways whom, as laryngologists, we are regularly called upon to support. For more expert insight into all things laryngology, please do look back at other episodes in this series, including the management and patient journey of airway stenosis, persistent throat symptoms, and the ageing voice. And if you have a topic you think we should cover next series, do let us know!*Please note a declaration of interest: Prof. Reza Nouraei declares that he has received research and consultancy support from Fisher and Paykel.Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming aContact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

In this episode of BLA Connections, A Clear Voice, we are joined by Professor Reza Nouraei, Consultant Laryngologist and Tracheal Surgeon at Queens Medical Center, Nottingham, UK, to discuss the exciting subject of artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in the future of laryngology and global healthcare.AI gives us the ability to classify voice signals, develop imaging programs for stroboscopy and high-speed laryngoscopy and identify regions of interest for further scrutiny. This can all help with areas where we are trying to take activity out of the operating room and into the outpatient setting. It has the potential to impact survival rates and early diagnosis of diseases such as Parkinson’s.What about ‘big data’? “Big data is the engine of artificial intelligence.” It’s most relevant to laryngology in terms of population science and feeds into personalised medicine. Big data sets can help increase access to healthcare, clear COVID-19 backlogs and, with multi-centre collaborations, it can help reduce health inequalities across the UK and around the world. So, what part will this kind of technology play in the future of laryngology? Prof Nouraei believes that technology can extend the reach of subspecialist laryngologists and be a means of supporting allied health colleagues. With AI and big data, we can bridge the healthcare gap and offer more specialised services with less need for supervision. This technology can make specialist knowledge that takes years to acquire more accessible and inclusive. “The big driving force in the NHS, and probably healthcare worldwide, is to get the right person in the right place to see the right [clinician] in the shortest possible time.” Artificial Intelligence can go a long way towards making this a reality.Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on  Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Cutting Edge Laryngology 2022 is coming on the 22-23 September 2022, showcasing the latest advances in our field. In this special episode of the podcast Natalie meets with Associate Honorary Treasurer of the BLA, Chadwan Al Yaghchi, to discuss the programme and the topics they are looking forward to hearing about: from dysphagia to airway management, speech and language therapy to COVID sequelae, paediatric services to airway management – Cutting Edge Laryngology has it covered! Chad and Natalie are particularly excited about the keynote lectures from President of the Union of the European Phoniatricians and the Finnish Laryngological Society, Ahmed Geneid, on office based laryngology, and President of Dysphagia Research Society, Jacqueline Allen, on negotiating laryngological uncertainty. This year the conference will be held virtually, meaning that the panel of experts can be truly global. Alongside Ahmed from Finland and Jacqui from New Zealand will be other international speakers, including Farzaneh Ahmadi from Western Sydney University, presenting her bionic voice prosthesis for the first time in the UK, Craig Derkay, possibly the father of RRP new therapeutics, from Eastern Virginia Medical School, and long-standing friend and supporter of the BLA, Marshall Smith from the University of Utah.Attendees will be active participants with the chance to ask questions and participate in panel discussions and enjoy live poster sessions featuring slides and a presentation. An added benefit of the virtual format is the opportunity for those who can’t be there on the day to register and watch high quality recordings of the full programme in their own time. Cutting Edge Laryngology is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary meeting and will appeal to any health professionals with an interest in laryngology. To register go to https://www.laryngologyconference.com/Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on  Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger proContact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

In this episode of A Clear Voice, we speak with Dr Aaron Johnson about age-related changes to the larynx. Following a decade-long career as a professional classical singer and singing teacher, Dr Johnson trained to be a Speech and Language Pathologist. He now works at NYU Langone’s Voice Centre and researches the effects of vocal training, voice use and ageing on the muscles of the larynx.We start by looking at the ageing process of the voice – how this differs for males and females related to hormonal changes and how other age-related changes to the body affect our voice. Dr Johnson then shares his experience as a singing teacher working with the ageing voice and how his own preconceptions were challenged as he saw first-hand the effect of vocal exercise on the ageing voice. This experience has made him passionate about sharing the message that getting older doesn't have to mean the inevitable decline of voice function and that there is something you can do about it. Likewise, he urges clinicians to not make assumptions about patients, as a lot can be done for the ageing voice to strengthen and improve function.We discuss some of Dr Johnson’s recommended interventions and exercises based on his research into neuromuscular changes in the larynx as it ages. He shares his take on the most effective form of vocal exercise, focussing on endurance and intensity. He also emphasises the importance of ensuring that the voice remains active and in regular use as we age; “If you don't use it, you lose it.” Voice remains an important interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary field, and clear clinical and surgical interventions are also needed to improve muscle function and make this kind of exercise possible, and we touch on some of the established and emerging areas of treatment. In closing, Dr Johnson focuses on advocacy and the need to make people aware that voice doctors like him are out there and able to provide real support and improvement for those suffering from voice problems.Further information:Singing Through Change by Nancy Bos, Joanne Bozeman and Cate Frazier-Neely – looking at the singing voice in women going through menopausehttps://singingthroughchange.com/ Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) – an intensive voice therapy for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions which affect voice.https://www.slt.co.uk/speech-language-and-communication/one-to-one-therapy/lee-silverman-voice-treatment/ Phonation Resistance Training Exercises (PhoContact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

In this very special episode, Natalie Watson is joined by Charlie Harper to tell us his personal experience of airway stenosis. Charlie shares his advice to other patients going through similar experiences, as well as his incredibly valuable thoughts on how we as healthcare professionals can do better for our patients.After experiencing severe symptoms including nosebleeds, deafness and breathing difficulties, Charlie was diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) in 2019. As the benefits of successive dilation surgeries reduced, he required an emergency tracheostomy – an experience which Charlie describes as devastating in its impact on day-to-day life, and perhaps not sufficiently acknowledged as such by healthcare professionals. Charlie was eventually referred to a hospital in London, where, very unusually, he underwent two laryngeal tracheal resections, following a second stenosis after the first procedure, caused by his tracheostomy. Whilst all of this was happening, healthcare services and all our daily lives were changed beyond recognition by the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. And Charlie’s personal life was also changed forever by the birth of his daughter – an experience which was massively impacted by his health issues, which meant he was unable to be present at the birth in the way he would have wished, or even to hold his newborn daughter.In his advice to other patients in similar circumstances, Charlie explains the importance of a positive outlook and surrendering oneself to the process. He emphasises the key role of psychological support in adapting to life changing diagnoses and treatments, and believes that professional help in this area should be available to all patients. He also has some excellent suggestions for improving care and support pathways for tracheostomy patients and shares his views on how essential it is for different specialties to work together. Lastly, Charlie gives us clinicians a striking reminder that what is routine to us is often life changing for patients, and we must try to remember this in our interactions.Charlie leaves us with the lighter side of his story, sharing some funny anecdotes and a heartfelt thanks to his wife for her support and love. This episode is truly essential listening for both patients and clinicians. We hope you enjoy it.Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.This show is Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Welcome to the latest episode of BLA Connect, A Clear Voice, where we join host, Natalie Watson and Mr James O’Hara, Clinical Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University and Honorary Consultant Otolaryngologist at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals, to talk about a topic that is incredibly common in the laryngology clinic – persistent throat symptoms.James and Natalie discuss the many and varied causes of an irritated larynx and persistent throat symptoms, and the historic low-level of evidence for standard treatments such as proton pump inhibitors. The results of the TOPPITS (Trial of Proton Pump Inhibitors) run by James O’Hara with Prof Janet Wilson showed that these were no more effective than placebo treatment. So where does that leave us? Treatment is moving towards the use of alginates, such as Gaviscon, and James is involved in a new pre-clinical trial, (TALGITS – Trial of Alginates and Throat Symptoms) to look at the effectiveness of these in treating persistent throat symptoms and hopefully improve the management of these symptoms in primary care.Ultimately, we all want to provide the best care for patients and providing a diagnosis or label for their symptoms can seem a good way of doing this. However, the lack of clear treatment pathway for persistent throat symptoms can lead to unnecessary worry with patients often referred to Head and Neck Cancer clinics. When we do see patients in clinic, James and Natalie emphasise the importance of letting the patient talk, being honest about the lack of evidence-based treatment in this area, considering comorbidities such as fibromyalgia and chronic pain symptoms, and discussing behavioural modifications and strategies for how patients can take ownership of and manage their own symptoms.The take home message from this episode must be to always question and improve what we do for the patient’s benefit. Listen to previous episodes of this podcast from the podcast provider of your choice and on our BLA Connect App. If you have any suggestions for topics you would like to hear about or guests you want to hear from please do get in touch at enquiries@britishlaryngological.org. You can also support us by hitting Like, Subscribe or leaving a review for this podcast with your provider. Thank you for listening. Contact Information Visit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.This shContact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

 Welcome back to a new series of BLA Connections – A Clear Voice. In today’s episode we talk to Professor Guri Sandhu about the management of airway stenosis.“That's what got me interested, because you could improve someone's quality of life immensely in a relatively short timeframe.”Professor Guri Sandhu works in the national Airway Centre for Airway Reconstruction based at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London. Prof Sandhu is also our BLA president and having trained in airway stenosis at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and  with Prof David Howard, he is the ideal person to take us through this rare complaint. He explains that patient history is the first key step in diagnosis and management for a cohort of patients including those who have been ventilated in intensive care units, those with idiopathic stenosis and those with systemic conditions. We go through the various diagnostic steps, however for Prof Sandhu, the most valuable assessment of the nature of the stenosis takes place on the operating table. We look at the different surgical techniques employed for systemic conditions, scarring and stenosis treatment, with Prof Sandhu explaining that his aim is to do something that gives you the maximum gain for minimal injury. Postoperative treatment is also differentiated by patient history and diagnosis, from day case procedures to longer hospital stays. Finally, Prof Sandhu shares his key, take home messages. To find out more about this topic please take a look at his many published works: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Guri-Sandhu.Our full series can be found in the podcast provider of your choice or you can find every episode on our BLA Connect App. We would love to hear from you about the topics you would like us to explore, any questions you have, and the experts you would like to hear from. Get in touch at enquiries@britishlaryngological.org. If you enjoy these podcasts please do remember to subscribe and leave a review with your podcast provider. Thank you for listening.Upcoming BLA Events VIRTUAL Webinar "Paediatric Stridor & Dysphagia" on Saturday, 19 March from 15:00 - 18:30 (GMT, UK TIME)Cutting Edge Laryngology | 22 - 23 September 2022 (VIRTUAL)  Contact InformationVisit Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

As we embark on Series 4, host Natalie Watson invites Heather Pownall, the producer of 'A Clear Voice', onto the show to discuss the original vision for the podcast and what to expect from the new series. Natalie looks back on her guiding aims for the podcast, to educate, build a community and to give a voice to all those associated with laryngology – surgeons, allied health professionals, patients and clinicians from across the globe.Heather and Natalie share their memories of launching the podcast at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and their pride and enjoyment in seeing it grow and evolve.We hope you enjoy listening to Series 4, as we continue to spread the word and spread the love of laryngology.Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on  Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Justin Roe is the Speech and Language Therapist representative for the BLA. He works at the National Centre for Airway Reconstruction treating people with laryngotracheal stenosis and a wide range of swallowing problems. Gemma Clunie is a specialist dysphagia speech and language therapist also working at the National Centre for Airway Reconstruction at Charing Cross Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Justin and Gemma share their expert knowledge on the management of dysphagia, explaining the importance of treating each person holistically as an individual. The partnership between clinicians, patients and multidisciplinary colleagues is key to achieving and measuring successful outcomes.  Useful links:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0003489420966339 https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00455-017-9799-x.pdfhttps://socialworkpodcast.blogspot.com/2009/10/prochaska-and-diclementes-stages-of.htmlhttps://www.stephenrollnick.com/motivational-interviewing-in-health-care-helping-patients-change-behavior/Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Welcome to this weeks instalment of BLA Connections: A Clear VoiceIn this episode, Natalie Watson is joined by fellow BLA Council member, Justin Roe who is the SLT representative for the BLA,  to discuss the programme for the upcoming  BLA Virtual Annual Conference taking place on 24th September. He was also one of the conference organisers and give a  fantastic overview of the programme and the diverse and multidisciplinary content available. The conference content will also be available on-demand for all registered delegates. You can sign up here. We hope you enjoy today’s discussion. Please do get in touch with any questions you might have. And if you have an idea for a topic let us know at enquiries@britishlaryngological.org.Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.This show is brought to you by the BLA. Follow us on  Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram. Hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Welcome back to BLA Connections: a clear voice with your host Natalie Watson, bringing you discussions and insights from experts from across the globe on all things laryngology.In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing a lesser-known area of laryngology – the management of cricopharyngeal hypertrophy and small pharyngeal pouches with our guest, Kate Heathcote. Kate is a consultant laryngologist from Poole Hospital Foundation Trust on the south coast of England. As fellow to Professor Jean-Paul Marie in France, she learned techniques of laryngeal renovation, which she has continued to develop, research and introduce into the UK. During a further laryngology fellowship at the RNTNE she focused on airway procedures with Guri Sandhu, our president and phonosurgery with John Reuben. She now runs a comprehensive NHS laryngology service offering a voice clinic and a laryngology treatment clinic in which she treats many laryngological symptoms, one of which dysphagia, we focus on today. Kate became interested in dysphagia because of the scale and complexity of the problem and the lack of a clear treatment plan. She takes us step-by-step through in-office and surgical treatment of cricopharyngeal hypertrophy and small pharyngeal pouches, namely balloon dilation, endoscopic laser procedures and myotomy. Kate emphasises the importance of treating the individual, considering the risk/benefit factors and the vital role of the multidisciplinary team in managing these conditions.We hope you enjoy today’s discussion. Please do get in touch with any questions you might have. And if you have an idea for a topic let us know at enquiries@britishlaryngological.org.Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.This show is brought to you by the BLA. Follow us on  Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram. Hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

In our second Wellbeing episode, we welcome Dr Tim Anstiss, health and wellbeing coach and behaviour change specialist. Tim works with NHS trusts, local authorities, health charities, sports organisations and a wide range of companies. He has been involved in several international behaviour change initiatives. Having studied medicine at Southampton University, Dr Anstiss became interested in health education and behaviour change and was able to carve out a somewhat niche career for himself within the NHS, focussing on behaviour change, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and occupational medicine. He trained in motivational interviewing which became the cornerstone of his coaching career, and a large part of his work has been in training clinicians and other professionals in using this approach, along with health and wellbeing coaching. He is particularly interested in promoting wellbeing, happiness, and ‘flourishing’ in those suffering from poor quality of life and burnout, using approaches such as the ‘five pillars of wellbeing’. He also practices compassion focussed therapy and compassionate mind training. Natalie and Tim discuss how clinicians are often already practising coaching in their professions as leaders and mentors. By actively learning about established coaching theories and approaches, clinicians can improve their interactions with patients and colleagues. We also look at how coaching can improve approaches to organisational change by promoting a guiding coalition and shared vision. Finally, Dr Anstiss gives his advice on what we can do to improve our wellbeing as we move through the Covid-19 pandemic, including looking at the five pillars of wellbeing, measuring wellbeing using psychopathology tools and endorsing the self-compassion approach. Dr Anstiss is passionate about making these practices accessible to as many people as possible and encourages us all to be passionate about the health and wellbeing of healthcare professionals. As such we have provided some links to the content discussed in this podcast which we hope our listeners will find helpful and inspiring.Further Information The Pioneer Health Centre - South London Gallery Appreciative Inquiry CommonsKotter’s 8 Steps To Accelerating ChangeThe Compassionate Mind FoundationThanking Your Mind: Taking The Power Out of Difficult ThoughtsContact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

“Radical self-care it is the foundation that the rest of your life and your career is based on.”In the first of our Wellbeing episodes, Natalie speaks with master practitioner, coach and mentor, Dr Fiona Day MBChB, FFPH, Dip Occ Med about her experience of coaching over 200 doctors and healthcare professionals. Fiona shares the most common career challenges her clients face and how to overcome these, along with promoting and nurturing overall wellbeing. Fiona also gives her insights into the changing nature of leadership and how doctors can develop their leadership skills.Fiona Day is a qualified doctor and Consultant in Public Health Medicine with over 25 years of experience in corporate and NHS Public Health environments. For the last 5 years she has focussed her passion for guiding and improving the complex careers of doctors, medical and public health professionals into her independent coaching practice, Fiona Day Consultancy. Fiona describes her interest in human behaviour change and emotional wellbeing  as the 'golden thread' through her career and she now specialises in using evidence-based ‘third wave’ approaches to behaviour change to develop compassionate, value-led professionals and enable them to take sustained, committed action to progress their goals. Read more from Fiona here, Blog - Fiona Day Consulting and visit here to sign up to Dr Day's bimonthly newsletter and receive a free career planning workbook.  Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on  Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

In this episode, Natalie chats with the current President and Immediate President of the BLA,  Guri Sandhu and Mark Watson. Mark Watson FRCS has worked in Doncaster and Bassetlaw since 1992 where he has held a number of leadership posts. He has served as a regional and national representative and lead for many regional and national ENT and head and neck groups and committees. Under his leadership, the BLA has fostered innovation and connectivity, with the development of the BLA Connect app for the 2019 conference which has evolved into a free resource, and the launch of this podcast. Mark shares his most memorable times as President of the association, including the success of the 2019 BLA Connect conference in the face of multiple adversities. And of course, most notably leading the BLA through the Covid-19 pandemic, taking the lead in producing guidelines for its members, in particular, the 2020 BLA Tracheostomy Guideline, updated for the second wave of Covid-19. Guri Sandhu is a founding member of the BLA and current President of the Laryngology & Rhinology section at the RSM. He is a Consultant Otolaryngologist and Head & Neck Surgeon at Imperial College and The Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospitals in London, as well as an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Imperial College and University College London. He is a pioneering laryngologist with a special interest in laryngotracheal stenosis. In 2016 he received the Isshiki award for his outstanding contribution to laryngology. Guri tells us what he hopes to achieve in his presidency, with the key aim of raising the profile of laryngology and firmly establishing it as a discipline in UK ENT, as well as fostering collaboration with other associations and giving a platform to the rising stars in UK laryngology. The panellists also look to the future of the BLA, including the upcoming virtual Annual Conference on 24 September 2021, with the hope of live courses and meetings running again in 2022. And the important goal of achieving proper recognition for laryngology training is discussed.More details about the BLA's Annual Conference are available at The VIRTUAL BLA Annual Conference 2021 | BLA (britishlaryngological.org)  Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.This show is brought tContact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

“Our best times are when a patient comes to us and says ‘for a bit, I forgot I had dystonia’, and then we really know we’ve got it right.”In this episode we speak with two phenomenal neurolaryngology duos and explore their decades of experience working together to improve patients' lives.Marie-Hélène Marion is a neurologist with over 30 years' experience working in France and the UK, specialising in movement development. Since 2007 she has worked at St. Georges Hospital in London with laryngologist Lucy Hicklin. In their clinic they mainly treat patients with cranio cervical dystonia and have developed a small specialty in anterocollis. From a laryngologist's point of view, Lucy also discusses the advantages of neurolaryngology MDTs in early diagnosis of conditions such as Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Our second dynamic duo comprises Miles Humberstone, a neurologist in Nottingham and previous BLA Council member, laryngologist and head and neck surgeon, Julian McGlashan. They discuss how their clinic is uniquely positioned to help patients with complex diagnoses and treatment approaches, and explain how the MDT approach is invaluable in managing these patients.Our panelists' also share their top tips for setting up a neurolaryngology clinic.All interviewees today are members of the British Neurotoxin Network Chaired by Dr Marion. Find out more about the BNN, including workshops and their annual Autumn meeting, on their website: www.neurotoxinnetwork.org Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on  Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd  Contact InformationVisit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member. Email: enquiries@britishlaryngological.org for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes. This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.