In this episode, we meet Aaron Smith, Specialty General Manager for Theatres, Anaesthetics and Critical Care. Aaron came to the NHS just over two years ago from the RAF - with zero clinical background and everything to learn.

We explore the two sliding doors moments that shaped his path: being rejected by the police and marines but accepted by the Air Force, and losing his father a year before leaving the military. The care his dad received from Dr Dennis and the ward nurses showed Aaron the human side of the NHS - and inspired him to give back.

Aaron shares what surprised him most about working in healthcare (the iceberg of work patients never see), how military leadership has evolved from command and control to followship, why the best pilots aren't necessarily the best leaders (and what that means for medical leadership), and what it's like trying to bring structure to an organization where you can't pause to fix things - you're fixing the aeroplane while it's flying.

From chairing a local sports charity to traveling the country watching Middlesbrough, Aaron reminds us that rejection can lead you exactly where you need to be.

In this episode, we meet Sally Palmer, Nurse Consultant in Infection Prevention and Control. Most people never see what Sally does - and if she's doing it well, they never will. Because the best infection control is invisible.

Sally's work runs at 100 miles an hour. Checking overnight results. Investigating outbreaks. Building water safety protocols. Designing ventilation specs for new buildings. Working with charities on antimicrobial resistance that crosses from animals to humans through the food chain. No two days are the same. Get it right and nobody notices. Get it wrong and people die.

We explore what happens in labs (Sally recommends everyone visit at least once), why regional teams standardise policies so patients get the same care wherever they go,and what COVID taught us that IPC teams already knew.

From St John Ambulance as a child to wearing countless hats now, Sally reminds us that prevention has always been the mission.

As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, this special episode of Only Human After All explores how apprenticeships are transforming careers.

We meet three apprentices at very different stages of life and work.

Richie is about to qualify as a physiotherapist in his 30s after years of practical experience and self-doubt about whether he had the “right” grades.

Lacey thought her university plans had collapsed before discovering an apprenticeship she didn’t even know existed.

Vinzlee never believed she was “smart enough” and credits the people who believed in her first.

We also speak to Carolyn, our Apprenticeship Lead, about the power of growing our own workforce, widening access and recognising that intelligence is about far more than exam results.

This episode is about confidence, experiential learning, belonging and the impact of someone saying, “You can do this.”

If you think apprenticeships are only for school leavers, this conversation may change your mind.