Claire Etches has spent 20 years caring for sick children on Ward 25. Two years ago she did something pretty unusual – she started teaching medical students. Not nursing students. Medical students.

In this conversation, Claire talks about what it's like being the first nurse in her role at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, demystifying paediatrics for terrified students who've never held a baby, and why sometimes the best teacher for a junior doctor is the nurse who's been doing it for two decades. She also discusses imposter syndrome, the power of someone believing in you and why her signature lemon drizzle might need to compete in a medical education bake-off.

This is a story about breaking down artificial barriers, multi-professional learning done right, and what happens when someone taps you on the shoulder and says "you'd be brilliant at this"

In this special episode for Allied Health Professional Day, Andrea and James celebrate the extraordinary world of AHPs with Kate Wright, Chief Allied Health Professional at Sherwood Forest Hospitals.

Kate lifts the lid on the 14 professions that make up this vital, diverse workforce — from dietitians and physiotherapists to orthoptists, radiographers and paramedics. Together, they explore what unites these roles: a holistic approach to care, deep compassion for patients, and an ability to bring people back to independence and hope.

Kate also shares her own story — from nursing auxiliary in Oxford to Chief AHP — and reflects on moments that shaped her journey: a single inspiring physio, a role she helped to design, and the importance of believing in yourself (and others) before you feel ready.

The conversation celebrates what makes AHPs special: teamwork, adaptability, kindness and quiet excellence — the threads that hold our health service together.

Respiratory physician and Associate Medical Director Dr Zahid Noor joins us to share a 35-year story of courage, grit and service — from arriving in the UK from Pakistan in 1989 to mentoring hundreds of internationally educated doctors at Sherwood Forest Hospitals. He recalls the early hurdles of PLAB, culture shock and living on £5 a week for food, right down to the “burnt chickpeas and baked beans” phone-home moment.

With warmth and humility, Zahid explains why “thank you, please and sorry” are the three most useful words for new colleagues, and how conduct and culture matter as much as clinical skill. He demystifies medical appraisal — a developmental conversation, not performance management — and how five-yearly revalidation reassures the public that doctors stay current and safe.

We also touch on a sensitive shift over time: from education-driven migration to more economic drivers, and why a balanced, humane approach helps patients, staff and the wider NHS. Through it all, Zahid’s message is simple: work hard, support one another, and help people belong.

Fifteen years into paediatric nursing, Tania Bacon is Deputy Ward Leader on Sherwood Forest’s Ward 25 and a driving force behind Greatex — positive incident reporting that captures what goes right so teams can learn from it. Tania takes us inside a 34-bed children’s ward where nurses often care for parents as much as for resilient young patients, and where playful “pink fluffy care” helps reduce fear and build trust. She shares how one night with a septic baby became a turning point, prompting nurses to train in bloods and cannulation and proving that celebrating excellence can change practice. Through fellowships and “side quests” Tania has found her voice as a leader who chooses bedside influence over climbing the ladder. Warm, honest and energetic, this is leadership made human.

Brent Gillicker is a registered Operating Department Practitioner who once served as a Royal Navy submariner. He talks about bringing submarine-honed resourcefulness into theatres, expanding the ODP role as a surgical first assistant, and why details like a neat suture line matter to patients. Brent shares a simple idea that speeds change — his “iterative meeting” — and a leader-leader mindset inspired by Turn the Ship Around. We also explore the Armed Forces support network at Sherwood, mental health first aid, and the power of tenacity and apprenticeships to open NHS careers.

Irvine Makani’s story is one of transformation, resilience, and heart.

Trained in aerospace engineering and once dreaming of becoming a pilot, Irvine’s life took an unexpected turn following personal loss—and led him into nursing.

In this powerful conversation, he reflects on his journey from South Africa to Zimbabwe to the UK, shares what it’s really like working on the frontline of emergency care, and opens up about race, identity, and finding belonging in the NHS. With wisdom, honesty, and humility, Irvine speaks about the emotional toll of abuse in healthcare, the power of professional kindness, and what it means to lead by example—even when the job is tough.

Jodie Ward never planned to become a nurse. She joined the hospital as a hostess, delivering meals to patients — until one day, she overheard a nurse calming a distressed family and thought, “I want to do that.”

In this heartwarming episode, Jodie takes us on her extraordinary journey from dinner trolley to children’s ward rising through the ranks as a single parent, becoming one of our first paediatric nursing associates and finally qualifying as a registered children’s nurse.

She talks with humour and honesty about bringing joy into dark situations, why she decorates the ward with eight Christmas trees, the power of play, glitter, and sick bowls worn as hats and the people who believed in her when she almost gave up.

It’s a story of compassion, creativity, and courage — and proof that sometimes, the best nurses are the ones who never saw it coming.

In this inspiring episode of Only Human After All, we meet Dr Neelakshi "Neela" Armugam – Radiology Registrar, newly appointed Chief Registrar and all-round warm and wise presence at Sherwood Forest Hospitals. Neela shares her fascinating journey from a Mauritian family of nurses to becoming a doctor in a specialty she clearly loves. She opens up about her hopes for junior (or rather, “resident”) doctors, the importance of being seen and valued, and the power of food, gardening, and cake to build belonging.