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The Right Chamber

The Right Chamber

By: Ron Grimley Undergraduate Centre
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The Right Chamber is our NHS Trust’s podcast that explores what really makes a hospital a hospital. We share authentic conversations with everyone who keeps the NHS running, from doctors, nurses, and students to facilities, admin, and corporate staff. Each episode is designed to be accessible to the public while meaningful for healthcare professionals, breaking down barriers and showing the NHS as a living, human community. It’s where the whole heartbeat of the hospital comes together, in one place. Produced by the Ron Grimley Undergraduate Centre. © The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust© 2026 The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Physical Illness & Disease Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Why Representation Matters in the NHS | The EmbRACE Network – Ep 46

    Why Representation Matters in the NHS | The EmbRACE Network – Ep 46
    Oct 22 2026
    Why Representation in the NHS Matters

    Representation in the NHS can shape whether people feel that they belong, see opportunities to progress and feel confident about their future. In this episode of The Right Chamber, we explore those experiences through a conversation about the EmbRACE Network and its role in supporting colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds.

    The discussion goes beyond policies and statistics. Instead, our guests consider what representation looks and feels like for the people working within healthcare every day.

    From Questioning Belonging to Seeing What Is Possible

    During the conversation, Victor reflects on his own experience at medical school. As one of only two Black male students in a cohort of around 140, he remembers questioning how far he could progress and whether he truly belonged.

    However, his perspective began to change when he entered clinical environments and saw people who looked like him working as consultants and departmental leaders. Suddenly, those career possibilities became much more visible.

    That experience highlights an important part of representation. Seeing colleagues from similar backgrounds succeeding at different levels can provide reassurance and encouragement. Moreover, it can help people imagine themselves following a similar path.

    Creating a Safe and Supportive Network

    The episode also explores the role of the EmbRACE Network. Staff networks can provide a valuable space for colleagues to connect, share experiences and find support.

    Feeling isolated at work can have a significant effect on someone’s experience. Therefore, knowing that other people understand those challenges can make an important difference.

    EmbRACE aims to create an environment where colleagues can speak openly and feel heard. At the same time, the network provides opportunities to build connections across different roles, professions and backgrounds.

    Importantly, inclusion does not mean that everyone needs to share the same experience. Allies also have a valuable role to play by listening, learning and helping to create a workplace where colleagues feel respected and supported.

    Diversity as a Strength

    Throughout the episode, the conversation challenges the idea that difference should create barriers. Instead, diversity can bring together a wider range of experiences, perspectives and ideas.

    A workforce where people can see themselves represented also sends a powerful message about opportunity. Leadership, career progression and professional success can feel more achievable when there are visible examples to follow.

    Ultimately, representation in the NHS is about more than simply who is present. It is also about belonging, visibility, opportunity and ensuring that people feel able to contribute and progress.

    In this episode of The Right Chamber, we hear why those things matter, how staff networks such as EmbRACE can help, and why diversity can be one of the NHS’s greatest strengths.

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6BMxswWTqa82B27ZAxJZcj?si=f773c28d0b3a4a8c

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-right-chamber/id1754140706

    Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/cfabe121-fc4c-4cc4-a4cd-423750cb1a85/the-right-chamber

    If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, share, and subscribe for more real stories from inside the NHS.

    Follow us:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rgucms/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rgucms

    Also subscribe for exclusive content and updates. https://www.youtube.com/@TheRightChamberPodcast

    ——————

    Produced by the RGUC Digital Media Team – https://iclinical.co.uk/digital-media-links

    Music credit: Kalte Ohren (septahelix remix) by septahelix (c) copyright 2019 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/septahelix/59527 Ft: starfrosch
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    28 mins
  • Starting an NHS Career at 21: What It’s REALLY Like – Ep 45

    Starting an NHS Career at 21: What It’s REALLY Like – Ep 45
    Oct 13 2026
    NHS Careers for Young People: Starting Out at 21 What are NHS careers for young people really like when you are only just beginning your working life? In this episode of The Right Chamber, Lilly and Abbie join Victor and Jasprit for a relaxed and refreshingly honest conversation about starting their careers in the NHS. Neither Lilly nor Abbie followed a carefully planned route into their current roles. In fact, their journeys show how an unexpected opportunity can sometimes lead somewhere completely new. Lilly talks about moving from working in a pub to searching online for NHS administrative jobs. Meanwhile, Abbie explains how her original career plans changed after she realised that the path she had expected to follow wasn’t right for her. Their experiences demonstrate that you don’t necessarily need to have your entire career mapped out at 20 or 21. Finding Confidence in Your First NHS Job Starting any new job can feel daunting. However, joining a large organisation such as the NHS brings its own challenges. Lilly and Abbie discuss learning how to communicate with different colleagues, developing confidence and becoming comfortable with new responsibilities. They also reflect on being similar in age to many of the medical students they support. Despite their age, their work carries significant responsibility. For example, they help coordinate teaching, placements and assessments for future doctors. Abbie describes the organised chaos of an OSCE examination day and the realisation that the team is helping to run important assessments for medical students. Lilly also shares her own memorable encounter with an OSCE bell! From Awkward Beginnings to Office Banter Their working relationship did not start quite as smoothly. Although they were pleased to find another young colleague in the department, Lilly and Abbie admit that they initially didn’t know what to make of each other. For a while, they barely spoke. Fortunately, things changed. Today, their friendship and office banter form an important part of their working lives. The pair discuss how their relationship developed and why having supportive colleagues can make such a difference when you are finding your feet professionally. Discovering NHS Careers for Young People Perhaps the biggest message from this episode is that NHS careers extend far beyond the roles people immediately associate with healthcare. Doctors, nurses and other clinicians may be the most visible members of the workforce. However, many other teams contribute to healthcare behind the scenes. Lilly and Abbie’s roles offer a perfect example. They may not provide patient care directly, but their support helps medical students develop into the doctors who will care for patients in the future. Their experiences also demonstrate how an entry-level opportunity can become the beginning of something much bigger. Along the way, young employees can develop skills, discover new interests and find career paths they may never previously have considered. Sometimes You Just Have to Give It a Go As the conversation draws to a close, Lilly and Abbie reflect on what they would tell other young people who are unsure about their future. Most importantly, changing direction does not mean you have failed. Your original plan may not work out, and the job you eventually enjoy could be something you have never considered before. Sometimes, an unexpected opportunity is worth exploring. As Abbie puts it, you’ve just got to give it a go. The Right Chamber explores the people, professions and stories that make the NHS what it is, revealing perspectives from across healthcare that patients and the public might not normally hear. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6BMxswWTqa82B27ZAxJZcj?si=f773c28d0b3a4a8c Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-right-chamber/id1754140706 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/cfabe121-fc4c-4cc4-a4cd-423750cb1a85/the-right-chamber If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, share, and subscribe for more real stories from inside the NHS. Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rgucms/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rgucms Also subscribe for exclusive content and updates. https://www.youtube.com/@TheRightChamberPodcast —————— Produced by the RGUC Digital Media Team – https://iclinical.co.uk/digital-media-links Music credit: Kalte Ohren (septahelix remix) by septahelix (c) copyright 2019 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/septahelix/59527 Ft: starfrosch
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    26 mins
  • What Is an Admiral Nurse? The Dementia Support You May Not Know Exists – Ep 44

    What Is an Admiral Nurse? The Dementia Support You May Not Know Exists – Ep 44
    Sep 29 2026
    Admiral Nurse Dementia Support: Patients and Families What does an Admiral Nurse do, and how can specialist dementia support help patients, carers and families? In this episode of The Right Chamber, we explore Admiral Nurse dementia support with Lydia Price, an Admiral Nurse at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust. Lydia explains why dementia care involves much more than responding to a diagnosis. Instead, understanding the individual, their history and the people around them can make a significant difference to their care. How Admiral Nurse dementia support helps families A hospital admission can feel overwhelming for someone living with dementia. Unfamiliar surroundings, different routines and new faces can all add to that experience. Lydia discusses the importance of looking beyond the diagnosis and seeing the person underneath. Knowing someone’s previous career, interests, relationships and routines can provide valuable clues about their behaviour. One memorable example involves a patient who repeatedly went underneath their hospital bed. Initially, staff struggled to understand why. However, after learning more about the patient’s life, Lydia discovered that they had previously worked as a car mechanic. From the patient’s perspective, they were simply getting underneath a vehicle to fix it. Consequently, behaviour that initially seemed confusing suddenly had context and meaning. Supporting carers as well as patients Dementia also affects the people surrounding the person with the diagnosis. Caring for a loved one can become a constant responsibility, often without the breaks associated with a conventional full-time job. During the conversation, Lydia discusses the emotional pressures that families can experience. She also explores anticipatory grief, which can begin long before a person reaches the end of their life. A diagnosis may provide answers after months or years of uncertainty. However, it can also leave families wondering what comes next. Therefore, providing information, guidance and emotional support forms an important part of specialist dementia care. Seeing the person behind the diagnosis Person-centred dementia care means understanding who somebody is, rather than defining them by their condition. Throughout the episode, Lydia explains how relatives and carers can provide valuable insight into a person’s life. Their knowledge can help healthcare professionals understand changes in behaviour, communication and individual needs. Importantly, this approach encourages staff to ask a different question. Rather than simply asking what a patient is doing, healthcare professionals can consider why they may be doing it. That change in perspective can support compassionate, individualised care. Dementia care during a hospital stay Around one in four patients in the hospital have a formal diagnosis of dementia, according to the figure Lydia discusses during the episode. As a result, dementia awareness has relevance across many areas of hospital care. Lydia explains how an Admiral Nurse can work alongside patients, relatives, carers and the wider multidisciplinary team. Support may include helping families understand what is happening, identifying unmet needs and providing practical guidance. Furthermore, that support does not necessarily end when someone leaves hospital. Families may still need reassurance, information and help navigating the next stage of their journey. “The journey — you’re not on your own” Ultimately, Lydia wants families to feel less fearful of dementia and more confident about seeking support. Dementia can bring uncertainty for patients and the people who care for them. Nevertheless, specialist advice, compassionate care and a better understanding of the individual can help families navigate what lies ahead. Her message is simple: you do not have to make that journey alone. Listen to this episode of The Right Chamber to discover more about Admiral Nurses, person-centred dementia care and the support available to patients, carers and families. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6BMxswWTqa82B27ZAxJZcj?si=f773c28d0b3a4a8c Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-right-chamber/id1754140706 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/cfabe121-fc4c-4cc4-a4cd-423750cb1a85/the-right-chamber If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, share, and subscribe for more real stories from inside the NHS. Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rgucms/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rgucms Also subscribe for exclusive content and updates. https://www.youtube.com/@TheRightChamberPodcast —————— Produced by the RGUC Digital Media Team – https://iclinical.co.uk/digital-media-links Music credit: Kalte Ohren (septahelix remix) by septahelix (c) copyright 2019 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/septahelix/59527 Ft: starfrosch
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    31 mins
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