Have you ever thought about the difference between equity and equality in healthcare, and why it really matters?

In this episode of London in Mind, host Dr. Estelle Moore speaks with Dr. Amrit Sachar, Joint Presidential Lead for Equity and Equality at the Royal College of Psychiatry.

They explore how systemic inequality directly shapes health outcomes in the UK with evidence showing that disadvantage can literally shorten lives. Together, they consider how psychologically informed approaches can create health and care environments where both staff and patients experience justice rather than harm.

Drawing on her frontline experience in liaison psychiatry, Dr. Sachar shares what she’s learned about the impact of inequality and the practical steps we can take to create a fairer, more inclusive system. Whether you work in health and care or have lived experience of the NHS, this conversation offers both critical insight and down-to-earth ideas for lasting change.

• Why access isn’t the same for everyone
• Compassionate policymaking in overstretched services
• The impact of structural inequality during COVID lockdowns
• Feeling overwhelmed about implementing equity? Why starting small matters
• How stereotypes can influence clinical judgement
• Why equity, diversity, and inclusion are more important than ever
• Making equity part of the system, not just a training module

Dr. Amrit Sachar is an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist with a strong track record in leadership, medical education, and quality improvement. She serves as Joint Presidential Lead for Equity and Equality at the Royal College of Psychiatry and has a Master’s in Leadership in Quality Improvement from Ashridge Executive Education, Hult International Business School.

• Marmot Review: Ten Years On (Institute of Health Equity)
• A powerful follow-up to the landmark Marmot Review, documenting how health inequalities in England have widened over the past decade.
• “Snowy White Peaks of the NHS” – Roger Kline
• A seminal paper exposing the lack of diversity at the top of NHS leadership and why it matters for equity.
• No More Tick Boxes (Roger Kline, 2021)
• A review highlighting why traditional equality initiatives often fail — and what organisations can do differently.
• ACEs and Population Health (CDC)
• Evidence on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how early-life inequality impacts health across the lifespan.
• NHS England » Patient and carer race equality framework [PRECF] The mandatory framework designed to support trusts and providers on their journeys to becoming actively anti-racist organisations.

About the Psychological Professions Network:

The Psychological Professions Network (PPN) is a multi-professional membership network commissioned by NHS England that brings together professionals, living experience advisors and partners from across provider trusts, integrated care systems, higher...

What happens when we stop separating mental and physical health and start treating people holistically?

In this second episode of London in Mind, host Dr. Estelle Moore speaks with Dr. Mark Barrington, Head of Psychological Services at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust. With more than 30 years of experience in cancer and palliative care, Mark shares what he has learned about the crucial role of psychological care in improving health outcomes.

Together, they explore why a psychologically informed health and care system must recognise the inseparable links between mind, body, and lived experience, and how bringing psychological approaches into every part of healthcare could transform the NHS.

Listen to discover how psychological thinking can be part of everyday practice and why it belongs at the heart of the future of healthcare.

• Psychological Practice in Physical Health (PPN Discussion Paper)
• A PPN call to action for embedding psychological practice into physical healthcare, showing how a biopsychosocial approach can transform outcomes across long-term conditions.
• Fair Society, Healthy Lives (The Marmot Review)
• Landmark work on the social determinants of health, highlighting how inequality, environment, and community shape both mental and physical health.
• Integrating Mental Health Therapy into Primary Care (NHS England Guidance)
• NHS England guidance showing how therapy embedded in primary care supports people with long-term conditions, reduces demand on acute services, and improves patient experience.
• The Psychosocial Model of Cancer Care (Macmillan Cancer Support)
• Practical guidance from Macmillan on how cancer affects mental health, and why psychosocial care must be a core part of cancer treatment and survivorship pathways.

About Dr. Mark Barrington:

Mark is Head of Psychological Services of the London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust. He has had a 30-year career focussed on Psychology within physical health care settings. Primarily in cancer and palliative care but also with clinical roles in surgery and long covid. In 2013, he was appointed Chair of the Psychosocial Expert Reference Group for London Cancer overseeing collaboration of psycho-oncology services across north and central London. Most recently, chairing psychological leads of London’s acute and community trusts. A long-term interest in supporting the development of integrated care.

About the Psychological Professions Network

The Psychological Professions Network (PPN) is a multi-professional membership network commissioned by NHS England that brings together professionals, living experience advisors and partners from across provider trusts, integrated care systems, higher education and local communities, to champion workforce development and innovation to maximise the impact of psychologically informed approaches on public health and healthcare delivery. PPN London is focused on strategic initiatives and leadership to enhance mental and physical health...

In the very first episode of London in Mind, host Dr. Estelle Moore, Chair of PPN London, speaks with Dr. Adrian Whittington, National Clinical Lead for the Psychological Professions at NHS England.

Together, they explore what it means to move towards a psychologically informed NHS and why psychology must sit at the heart of healthcare. Adrian unpacks the “three big shifts” in the new Ten Year Health Plan for England, highlighting changes in prevention, digital innovation, and bringing care closer to home. He explains how psychological professionals are central to delivering this vision.

The conversation also touches on the major challenges facing the NHS: an ageing population, rising mental health needs, and increasing pressure on staff and services. Most importantly, they discuss how to co-create change across the system to ensure the NHS remains sustainable, compassionate, and truly patient-centred.

• The 10-Year Health Plan for England (Gov.uk)
• The official NHS plan setting out the “three big shifts” in prevention, digital tools, and care closer to home.
• What It Means for Psychological Healthcare (Blog by Dr. Adrian Whittington)
• Our guest’s perspective on why psychology is central to delivering the Plan and how psychological professionals can lead change.
• The 10-Year Health Plan Explained (King’s Fund)
• A clear and accessible breakdown of what the Plan means for patients, staff, and the future of the NHS.

About Dr. Adrian Whittington

Adrian is the National Clinical Lead for the Psychological Professions at NHS England. In this role, Adrian provides professional leadership and advice across the national NHS teams aimed at maximising the impact of the psychological professions for the public, aligned to policy. Adrian also oversees the regional Psychological Professions Networks across England.

Adrian is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist. He is passionate about making the NHS more psychological, including increasing access to evidence-based psychological interventions and therapies. He is a clinical specialist in psychological therapy for post-traumatic stress Disorder and has written and co-edited books on anxiety, cognitive behavioural therapy, and clinical psychology.

About the Psychological Professions Network

The Psychological Professions Network (PPN) is a multi-professional membership network commissioned by NHS England that brings together professionals, living experience advisors and partners from across provider trusts, integrated care systems, higher education and local communities, to champion workforce development and innovation to maximise the impact of psychologically informed approaches on public health and healthcare delivery. PPN London is focused on strategic initiatives and leadership to enhance mental and physical health outcomes and workforce resilience throughout the capital.

About the Host

Dr Estelle Moore is a clinical and forensic psychologist with over 30 years’ experience in NHS forensic services. She currently serves as Director for Psychological Professions (Chief Psychological Professions Officer) at West London NHS Trust, Head of Psychological Services at Broadmoor Hospital, and Chair of PPN London. Her clinical and research interests include

Healthcare in London is transforming against unprecedented challenges, but are we fit for the future?

Join Dr. Estelle Moore, Chair of the Psychological Professions Network London, as she hosts London in Mind, a new podcast bringing together diverse voices from across the capital.

This series explores the biggest questions facing health and care today:

• How do we look after the staff who look after others?
• What innovations are transforming health outcomes in London?
• How can partnerships tackle the most complex challenges in our communities?
• And why must psychological understanding be at the heart of healthcare reform?

From staff wellbeing and burnout prevention, to trauma-informed care, workforce design, and digital innovation - we’ll be sharing great practice, fresh insights, and key principles shaping the NHS of the future.

Make sure you follow or subscribe to London in Mind and be part of the conversation and so you don’t miss an episode.

About the Psychological Professions Network:

The Psychological Professions Network (PPN) is a multi-professional membership network commissioned by NHS England that brings together professionals, living experience advisors and partners from across provider trusts, integrated care systems, higher education and local communities to champion workforce development and innovation to maximise the impact of psychologically informed approaches on public health and healthcare delivery. PPN London is focused on strategic initiatives and leadership to enhance mental and physical health outcomes and workforce resilience throughout the capital

About the Host:

Dr. Estelle Moore is a clinical and forensic psychologist with over 30 years’ experience in NHS forensic services. She currently serves as Director for Psychological Professions (Chief Psychological Professions Officer) at West London NHS Trust, Head of Psychological Services at Broadmoor Hospital, and Chair of PPN London. Her clinical and research interests include trauma-informed care, treatment of complex post-traumatic stress, restorative justice in forensic settings, and building workforce resilience across health and social care.

Produced by Winter Audio