SOUTHPOD
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
Southpod is the voice of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. We provide health and social care services across five council areas but what exactly does that mean? Join us, the Communications team, and our occasional guest takeovers, as we discuss and explore the work of the Trust as we continue to provide safe, high quality care. We will talk to SHSCT staff and senior leaders to share with you the highs, the lows, the stresses and successes.
Episodes
- Maternal mental health support in the Southern Trust: Women share their experiences
As part of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 (4–10 May), women share their experiences of accessing specialist perinatal mental health support in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. This podcast features women with lived ex…
- Co-Building Hope in Social Work – World Social Work Day 2026
In this special Southpod episode for World Social Work Day 2026, we explore this year’s global theme: “Co-Building Hope and Harmony – A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society.” Social workers play a vital role in supporting individuals,…
- Nutritional Standards in Health and Social Care - Making good food choices simple
In this episode we're joined by the Southern Trust Nutritional Standards Coordinator Dorota Culbert and Public Health Dietitian Collette O'Brien as they discuss the introduction of the HSC Nutritional Standards across facilities in the org…
- Workplace Wellbeing Team
On the latest edition of SOUTHPOD we’re joined by our Workplace Wellbeing Team to learn about the team and their roles, the support they’re offering our staff and impact they’re seeing their support have on teams across the Trust. We also…
- The Community Addiction Service
We start the year off with a great incentive to get healthier. The Public Health Agency 's #DryJanuary campaign is to support and encourage people to abstain from drinking alcohol for the whole month. Read more here https://drugsandalcohol…
- Parents, not toys, can make a big impact on children’s speech and language development
Our Speech and Language therapist Debi, who works within Sure Start, shares valuable insights on how parents can play a pivotal role in their child's speech and language development. And how the benefits of focusing on how simple interacti…
- #WorldCOPDDay 2024
Join us as we raise awareness for those living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Our latest podcast features Chris Barron, respiratory nurse specialist who looks further into COPD management, tips for better lung health and the l…
- The importance of being breast aware: Mum shares her breast cancer journey after finding a lump at 41
Being breast aware means knowing what’s normal for you so you can spot any unusual changes as soon as possible. Nicola Pope knows that as she was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump on one of her breasts. Almost a year on fro…
- Jog on Cancer: The friendships that form during a breast cancer journey
This month is Breast Cancer Awareness month and in our latest episode we are delighted that our colleagues from Glenanne Breast Clinic are taking over our podcast to discuss this important topic. Christine and Sarah, both radiographers in…
- Celebrating #WorldLungDay
Early detection and treatment of respiratory infections are crucial for saving lives. In celebration of #WorldLungDay today we bring you our latest podcast episode with Chris Barron and Royanne Dickson, respiratory nurse specialists and Rh…
- Mothers, midwives and the Midwifery Led Unit (MLU)
From its personalised care to its home-like environment to the feeling of empowerment - our Midwifery Led Units (MLU) means so much to many mums during their labour, birth and their immediate post-partum period. We were delighted to welcom…
- Service user involvement - Helping us shape our services
We catch up with our service user involvement team to find out a bit more information on what the user involvement team does, the training and supports that are available to staff, and also to hear a bit about the experience of a Hayley, o…
- Care in the community - Shining a light on specialist services within Learning Disability
Especially for #LearningDisabilityWeek, Majella Gorman, one of our learning disability carer consultants sat down with a number of our specialist teams who support service users with a #learningdisability in the community. Clare from the e…
- Meeting new people and gaining valuable experience: Why becoming a volunteer is so rewarding
We have over 200 Volunteers within the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and in this latest episode we have a chat with Eleanor and Katlo, two of our amazing volunteers who share why they love volunteering and what they have gained per…
- During a baby's birth, parents are 'born': A midwifery reflection from behind the delivery doors!
From bumps to babies, breastmilk to baby poo - our midwives see it all. With their experience and expertise, they not only support families through the most wonderful times of their life's but are also a huge support to many through diffic…
- Steps to Wellness - Moving to reduce waiting lists and getting people to the right place at the right time
Three years ago, the Southern Trust partnered with East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) to develop an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies / NHS Talking Therapies aligned service. As the three year partnership draws to a close, we ta…
- Fostering love: Exploring foster care and family placement services.
On this episode we catch up with Lisa, one of our Social Workers and Ciara, a long standing foster carer to find out what being a foster parent means, how to start the process and the importance of being a foster carer! Tune in for this in…
- Make March your Month to Quit Smoking
Listen to our Stop Smoking Service Specialists across Southern Health and Social Care Trust discuss the vital Stop Smoking service they offer to those people who want to quit smoking, the support they provide to colleagues, the referral pr…
- Kind, caring and compassionate. The heart of Domiciliary Care Workers
In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Laura, Ciara, and Laura to discuss the rewarding world of domiciliary care and working in the Health Service. We delve into the qualities needed to succeed in this role, the challenges and tr…
- I feel like I belong | equality, diversity and inclusion
Join Deepthi and Cathy on our latest podcast episode as we dive into the changes in equality, diversity, and inclusion within the Southern Trust. With firsthand experiences and insights, we'll explore the progress made and challenges in th…
- Recovery College - A voyage of self-discovery and personal growth
Special guests from the Southern Trust Recovery college. The Recovery College works to empower those with experience of mental health problems to realise their potential and foster hope, opportunity and control. They aim to provide an oppo…
- A look inside Cloughmore, Bluestone
To kick off 2024 we catch up with Deputy Sisters Rebekah and Emma who work on the Cloughmore Ward, Bluestone. They dive into the life of a mental health nurse and share their passions about creating safe wards.
- World COPD Day
In our latest podcast episode on SOUTHPOD, in recognition of World COPD Day on Wednesday, November 16, Chris Barron and Elizabeth Sloan, our respiratory nurse specialists and Drs Michael Shiel and Helen Close discuss chronic obstructive pu…
- Answering your questions on Menopause and HRT
Conversations about Menopause are increasing but there are still lots of queries and misinformation. Join Dr Sharma, Consultant Gynaecologist in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, has he answers the questions you have about Menopau…
- Supporting people with learning disabilities to attend Breast Screening
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month Lauren, who is the Southern Health and Social Care Trust's Learning Disability Breast Screening Project Nurse, wants to raise awareness and support women with learning disabilities to access lifesav…
- Occupational Health Vocational Rehab Team
Living with Post Covid Syndrome and other long term condition can pose a number of challenges. The Southern Health and Social Care Trust Occupational Health Vocational Rehab team, which is made up of a Specialist Physiotherapist, Occupatio…
- Celebrating Men's Health Week - Respiratory Team
From chronic conditions like asthma, chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD) to lung cancer, men face a unique set of respiratory health concerns. In our latest podcast episode on SOUTHPOD in celebration of Men’s Health Week, June 12-…
- Update from Trust Board - March 2023
Find out the latest developments in our Trust Board meeting.
- Vocational Rehabilitation Team
A new Long COVID vocational rehabilitation team comprising of Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist and Clinical Psychologist has been established to support staff who are at work or not yet back to work. Find out more by listening to ou…
- #PalliativeCare Focus - Acute
In recognition of our Palliative Care Week, the acute palliative care team - consultant Sarah Cousins and clinical nurse specialists Donna Grier and Aine Feeney - discuss the difficult topic of what a good death looks like and the support…
- #PalliativeCare Focus - Community
In recognition of our #PalliativeCare Focus, our community multidisciplinary specialist palliative care team - Linda Willis, specialist physiotherapist, Orlagh Cunningham, specialist speech and language therapist, Maria Tynan, Macmillan sp…
- Season 4 I Episode 4: Update from Trust Board (October 2022)
Dr O'Kane explains some of the key issues that have just been discussed at our monthly October Trust Board meeting.
- Season 4 I Episode 3: Catch up with the Chief 2
Our Chief Executive, Dr Maria O’Kane and Chair Eileen Mullan have met with political representatives to · discuss key issues and developments and · respond to matters that are being raised with them by their constituents. Main areas discus…
- Season 4 I Episode 2: Staff Vaccination Programme
- Season 4 I Episode 1: Catch up with the Chief
As we approach a new season on our podcast channel, we speak to the Chief Executive of the Southern Trust, Dr Maria O'Kane. Dr O'Kane explains some of the key issues that have just been discussed at our monthly Trust Board meeting.
- Safetember - Complex care adult learning disability
- Safetember - Catheter project podcast
- Safetember - R.I.T.A dementia companions
- Quality Improvement podcast - Why QI
James Gilpin is a registered nurse and experienced ward manager. He is the Stroke Service Improvement Lead for the Southern Trust. James’ years of experience in the health service relates to bed management, medical, surgical and Intensive…
- Quality Improvement podcast - Introducing R.I.T.A
R.I.T.A is becoming very famous around the Southern Trust. On this podcast you will hear from Cailin McKearney QI Facilitator, Mairead McGahan Service Improvement Lead for Dementia and the Dementia Companions Elaine Level 4 Rehabilitation…
- Quality Improvement podcast - Human Factors in Blood Transfusion
Bronagh is a haemovigilance practitioner in the Southern Trust. Bronagh comes with a wealth of experience in human factors and in her podcast she gives us an insight into how the blood transfusion team apply human factors approach when lea…
- Quality Improvement Podcast – Making Data Count
Podcast: Introducing Sam Riley Sam Riley is the Deputy Director of Intensive Support in NHS England and NHS Improvement. Sam and her team are responsible for ‘Making Data Count’, a fantastic model of teaching and promoting the use of SPC c…
- Season 3 I Episode 14: Business Continuity Week 2022
Business continuity affects all staff. Our staff are our most important resource in maintaining essential services. What would you do if there was a cyber-attack and your team lost access to all their IT systems and phones? Our Emergency p…
- Season 3: Episode 13 I Steps to Wellness update
- Season 3 I Episode 12: SoHope takeover
Today we are delighted to have a podcast takeover by SoHope, who are a group of service users who work together to improve addiction services across the Southern Trust area.
- Season 3 I Ep 11: Steps to Wellness - How group therapy has helped me
Service User Lara Sutton tells her story about how group therapy enabled her to recover & get her life back on track.
- Season 3 I Episode 10: Introduction to Steps to Wellness
We discuss how this new initiative aims to reduce waiting times & improve services for people who need secondary care mental health support.
- Season 3 I Ep 9: WHO Experts commend Trust staff for IPC commitment
This week COVID-19 legal restrictions have been replaced by guidance for the public but within health and care settings, social distancing and other COVID safety measures must continue. In this episode our AD and IPC lead Trudy Reid chats…
- Season 3 | Episode 8 | Staff Lateral Flow Testing
We don’t yet know if the new Omicron strain of Covid-19 causes more severe disease than other variants – but its emergence is a stark reminder that we need to do all we can to reduce circulation and transmission of infection. Rapid testing…
- Episode 16 | A day in my shoes | Catherine Murchan OT