Stories of Safety

In this episode of Stories of Safety, we speak with Professor Pascale Carayon, Professor Emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, and a global leader in applying human factors and systems engineering to healthcare and patient safety. Professor Carayon reflects on the evolving role of human factors engineering, from her early development of the SEIPS (Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety) model to its widespread influence on healthcare system design and quality improvement. We explore how engineering, human factors/ergonomics, and organisational design can be harnessed to prevent harm, redesign complex care systems, and foster safer, more resilient healthcare environments. This episode invites listeners to consider how thoughtful system design can reduce errors and enhance safety. A deep insightful conversation with one of the field’s most respected architects of health care systems engineering.

Content warning: this episode includes discussion on suicide. In this episode of Stories of Safety, we speak with Dr Jo Wailling, a leading expert on healthcare harm, to unpack one of the most complex and challenging concepts in patient safety. Jo reflects on what we really mean when we talk about “harm” in healthcare—how it's defined, experienced, and responded to by both professionals and patients. We delve into the emotional and systemic dimensions of harm, and the importance of moving beyond blame to foster learning, accountability, and healing. This episode invites listeners to reflect on how we acknowledge and address harm in a way that supports those affected and drives genuine improvement across healthcare systems. A powerful conversation about one of the most human aspects of safety in care.

In this episode of Stories of Safety, we sit down with Shaun Lintern, Health Editor of The Sunday Times, to explore the vital role of investigative journalism in uncovering systemic failures in healthcare. Lintern shares his journey as a journalist, the ethical challenges of reporting sensitive stories, and the impact journalism can have on public perception and policy. We take a deep dive into his pivotal role in exposing the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust scandal, the importance of listening to patient and family experiences, and the lessons learned from the public inquiry that followed. Lintern also reflects on the sodium valproate scandal, drawing parallels to past medical failures and the ongoing fight for justice. Beyond investigations, we discuss the delicate balance between holding healthcare institutions accountable and recognising the dedication of frontline professionals. Lintern highlights the need for greater transparency in healthcare reporting and the challenges journalists face in accessing information.