Taster Episode

Welcome to the LKOTT Humble Heroes and Mega Medics Podcast!

On this taster episode Lisa introduces herself, her own healthcare journey and what we hope to achieve by sharing this series of interviews with humble heroes in the fields of Heart Failure, Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes.

Episode 1 - Amanda Epps and Beth Kelly

Amanda set up the DSN Forum in 2018 when she noticed the lack of peer support for DSNs. She quickly brought in friend and colleague Beth Kelly as co-chair.

The forum is now multi-award winning and has more than 10,000 followers. We chat about how they got started and what the DSN forum means for healthcare practitioners in the UK.

Episode 2 - Professor Partha Kar

NHS Diabetes Consultant and all round legend, Partha holds many key national roles in the UK and was recently awarded the OBE.

We chat about his career, his passion and his drive to get things done and drive change in how we support patients with diabetes.

Episode 4 - Dr Kevin Fernando

Dr Kevin Fernando is a GP with a special interest in diabetes, as well as an innovative and entertaining medical educator based in North Berwick. He talks to us about how he went from the labour ward to specialising in primary diabetes care, as well as his journey into medicine.

Kevin speaks candidly about the challenges facing the NHS and the crucial role of primary care in looking after the nation’s health. He’s a real inspiration to junior doctors and the wider sector.

Episode 5 - Phil Newland Jones

Phil is a Consultant Pharmacist in Diabetes and Endocrinology and is the Clinical Director of the Diabetes and Endocrine service at University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. As the clinical lead for type 1 diabetes he has an interest in severe insulin resistance.

I have worked with Phil on many projects over the years, and he's not only an absolute pleasure to work with but totally humble and a constant inspiration to others.

Episode 6 - Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE

Sarah is probably the UK’s best known GP, thanks to her prolific role as a ‘media medic’ on BBC’s The One Show, BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine programme, Good Morning Britain and many more.

On this podcast we chat about Sarah’s career, her childhood and her unwavering commitment to helping people understand and manage all kinds of health concerns.

Episode 7 - Prof Kamlesh Khunti CBE

Meet one of the world’s top 10 diabetes legends, and the ultimate Humble Hero. Kamlesh is a much loved figure in the diabetes world, and a research pioneer. Not only is he Co-Director of the Leicester Diabetes Centre and Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester, he was also a member of SAGE during the pandemic. Kamlesh was one of the first to spot the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on people in ethnic minorities.

Still practicing part time as a GP in Leicester, Kamlesh was the very deserving recipient of a CBE in 2022.

Episode 8 - Professor Phil Kalra

Phil is our first guest outside the world of diabetes, as a consultant nephrologist – AKA ‘Kidney Doctor’ – working in Salford. As UK lead for the National Institute of Health Renal Disorders clinical trials network, Phil has been involved in several large UK projects and was recently appointed Academic Vice President of the Renal Association.

He is a prolific and massively well respected educator and mentor, giving so much to support future specialists on their medical journeys.

Episode 9 - Hannah Beba

Hannah is a Consultant Pharmacist working in Leeds Health and Care Partnership and chairs the Diabetes Steering Group and Expert Reference Group for Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Medicine.

Hannah is also a committee member of both the council of healthcare professionals at Diabetes UK and the Primary Care Diabetes Society.

An amazing and passionate educator, Hannah is passionate about tackling inequalities in diabetes care. She’s a true humble hero.

Episode 10 - Prof Melanie Davies CBE

Melanie is Professor of Diabetes Medicine at the University of Leicester and an Honorary Consultant Diabetologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. She’s Co-Director of the Leicester Diabetes Centre – one of the largest and most respected Diabetes Centres in the world.

Melanie’s research interests include the causes, screening, prevention, self-management and treatment of type 2 diabetes. She has published over 800 original articles and secured over £86M of grant funding.

In 2016, she was awarded the CBE for services to diabetes research – all whilst bringing up a young family. She truly flies the flag for careers in diabetes, medicine and, importantly, for women.

Episode 11 - Bev Bostock

As a student of Bev’s back in 2007, I was wowed by her ‘whole patient’ philosophy.

Today I’m even more wowed by how much she’s achieved within a true portfolio career - which she advocates for all.

She holds key positions within many respected organisations, is a medico-legal expert witness, an Editor in Chief, has an MSc in Respiratory Medicine plus an MA in Ethics and Law and is now studying for a PhD.

And as if all that wasn’t enough, in 2015 Bev was awarded the title of ‘Queen’s Nurse’ – one which she is massively proud of.

She is a total wonder woman, and I loved finding out how she does it and what drives her to continue!

Episode 12 - Dr Patrick Holmes

I first met Patrick in around 2013, having heard about this hugely inquisitive GP who asked in-depth scientific questions about diabetes. We’ve since worked on many projects together and he is a massive asset to the NHS and primary care.

I loved chatting to him about his early life and career, and how under the influence of his vicar father he’s become a good Samaritan.

A self-confessed ‘science nerd’, Patrick has become a social influencer and thought leader in the diabetes world. A mega medic and humble hero all in one!

Episode 13 - Dr Ahmet Fuat

Ahmet is a GP and professor who specialises in Heart Failure.  He’s a beacon of light, communicating not just all things cardiovascular disease and heart failure, but also championing the NHS, with often hard hitting social media commentary.  

I first met Ahmet around about 2007, when I started doing some project work with the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society and he has since been instrumental in reviving this Society as former President, and current Education Lead.

Episode 14 - Alia Gilani

Alia is a super-inspiring diabetes pharmacist who has an absolute passion for tackling health inequalities. She has set up many amazing programmes to improve the lives of people in minority groups, receiving multiple awards as a result.

She was the first female to join the South Asian Health Foundation and the first pharmacist committee member for the Primary Care Diabetes Society.

I’ve been lucky to spend many fun hours with Alia over the years, and she has a really interesting, inspiring story to share with us in how she became one of the UK’s leading pharmacists.

Episode 16: Poppy Brooks

The only nurse in her family, Poppy has blazed the trail in heart failure specialist nursing, inspired by the senior colleagues she worked with as a student.

As Chair of the British Society for Heart Failure Nurse Forum, Poppy is super passionate about highlighting the crucial role of heart failure nurse specialists and the need to invest in this area.

She wants to change the fact that the public don’t recognise the signs of heart failure, or when to seek help – a crucial mission in patient care.