62. Dr. George Winder Pt2 - how universal healthcare works in practice

Wild Card - Whose Shoes?

Bonus episode!
Dr. George Winder and I pick up from our impactful “Don’t Medicalise Poverty” conversation (Episode 58, Universal Healthcare mini-series).
George’s work is refreshing. It goes beyond prescriptions and appointments.
It makes healthcare about relationships, community and plain common sense.
More human and a lot more doable!

We dive into stories that show the true power of social connection – from walking groups that tackle loneliness to blood pressure checks held away from GP practice walls. George opens up about the realities of community-based health: the greatest successes come from local ownership and the simple yet profound impact of listening to people

We explore the "why" behind the data, the risks of inactivity, the courage it takes to start where you are, gradually building networks and trust
The stories show that healthcare is a team effort – a team that includes everyone.

Lemon lightbulbs 🍋💡🍋
🍋 Walking for Wellbeing – A simple walk, a friendly coffee, and a bit of music can do wonders
The best healthcare can start with bringing people together, not with prescriptions
🍋 Loneliness as a Health Crisis – Research shows that meaningful social interactions can be as important as vaccinations
Community activities like “move to music” and chair-based yoga aren't just exercise; they’re lifelines
🍋 Scaling vs. Staying Local – Not everything is meant for mass production.
True community-based health relies on local ownership, where the community shapes what they need most
🍋 The Power of Passion – Real change happens when people lead with passion. A retired teacher running a children’s reading group from a car park during Covid19 is a reminder that enthusiasm can surmount setbacks!
🍋 Inactivity Is a Risk – George nails it with “inactivity can be as dangerous as activity.” When fear of risk paralyzes action, community needs get sidelined.
Vital support can be lost.
🍋 Meeting People Where They Are – Health isn’t always in the clinic.
By bringing blood pressure checks to community spaces, George’s team is reaching those who might never go to a GP
🍋 The Pitfall of Opt-in Systems – bureaucracy often leaves behind people in vulnerable situations. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it can mean missing critical care
🍋 The elephant in the room - honesty re NHS Resources and prioritisation can help people understand the real cost and impact of services
🍋 Trust in the Team – Multidisciplinary work means no organisational walls. George’s weekly team check-ins are open and flexible, with colleagues calling in from the real world – creating a 'team hug' that’s both supportive and effective
🍋 Healthcare needs kindness and connection at its core
George’s 'team hug' and Gill’s kindness conversations remind us that sometimes simply listening and showing empathy can transform BOTH patient and practitioner experiences

Links
George Winder – Don’t medicalise poverty
Altogether Better
Bob Klaber - kindness matters
Alvanley Famil

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פרקים

1. Reconnecting with Dr. George Winder and recapping the wonderful story of V from Episode 58 (00:00:00)

2. The impact of social activities like walking groups on mental health and wellbeing, emphasising connection and joy (00:01:30)

3. The link between social contact and health and longevity, with examples from community activities like chair-based yoga and Pilates (00:02:06)

4. Beyond Measurable Outcomes - Gill shares her personal story about the subtle but powerful benefits of activities that foster connection, like Pilates classes after her breast cancer journey (00:03:42)

5. The balance between scaling social programmes and maintaining a strong sense of local community ownership (00:04:53)

6. The Importance of Local Ownership - how local initiatives, when led by passionate community members, thrive and resonate deeply within their communities (00:06:11)

7. Bureaucracy can hinder community initiatives, such as running a football group, and the risks of over-regulation (00:07:14)

8. Risk aversion can be as dangerous as activity - the balance of weighing potential harms of inactivity (00:09:06)

9. Efforts to diagnose and manage undiagnosed high blood pressure in underserved communities (00:10:09)

10. Taking Healthcare into the Community - the proactive approach of meeting people where they are, with blood pressure checks in local settings like food banks (00:12:16)

11. The NHS’s opt-in appointment system can exclude those without easy access to technology or stable housing (00:14:40)

12. Systemic Barriers - George shares a story about how institutional barriers can fail vulnerable patients, sparking a call for better follow-up practices (00:16:01)

13. ‘Did Not Attend’? Let's dig deeper - the unspoken stories behind missed appointments and the resources needed to address them (00:17:28)

14. How limited resources impact the ability to fully support people with complex needs (00:18:46)

15. George shares his experience with co-production and its impact on his approach to leadership and systemic change (00:19:31)

16. We need honest conversations about the trade-offs within NHS spending and the challenge of balancing resources for maximum impact (00:22:19)

17. The transformative power of listening and creating spaces for honest conversations in healthcare (00:23:39)

18. The lasting impact of Gill's 'Whose Shoes?' work with the Darzi Fellows, helping healthcare professionals understand and embed true coproduction (00:24:03)

19. George shares his approach to multi-disciplinary work, creating a welcoming space with minimal barriers to entry (00:26:31)

20. The value of networks, social connections, and trust in creating a resilient healthcare system (00:30:08)

21. The Power of Kindness in Healthcare - as a core value in healthcare, with a shoutout to Bob Klaber's monthly kindness conversations (00:32:15)

22. Conclusion : the importance of teamwork, flexibility, and human connection in healthcare (00:33:37)