The Business of Healthcare Podcast with Tara Humphrey

In this solo episode, Tara Humphrey opens up on a good day, after recording her last two solo episodes on harder ones. She shares the context that grief continues to give to how she shows up, and reflects on hearing Emilie Kiser on the Jay Shetty podcast speak about navigating work and life after losing her son. Tara wanted to record this episode in the hope it might help someone in her audience who is moving slowly forward too. From there, Tara shares what's going on behind the business, starting with a milestone she's genuinely excited about: the podcast's first ever paid sponsor. About the sponsor, Lexacom Tara is delighted to welcome Lexacom as the first paid sponsor of The Business of Healthcare. She explains why she waited for the right partner rather than taking the first offer. Lexacom has been trusted for more than 25 years and was designed by a GP specifically for healthcare. Its clinical documentation platform brings digital dictation, ambient AI voice technology, speech recognition (Lexacom Echo), customisable workflows and patient messaging into one place, all built to NHS standards with data held securely in the UK. The aim is simple: less admin, more time with patients, across the whole practice team rather than per individual licence. Find out more: https://bit.ly/THCLexacom In this episode, Tara shares: Why she's recording on a good day, and the context grief gives to how she shows up Welcoming Lexacom as the podcast's first paid sponsor, and why she chose them rather than taking the first offer Gary Hughes joining THC Primary Care as an associate writer, bringing the general practice voice alongside Tara's PCN voice, and the ambition to add pharmacy, optometry and dentistry over time Every Move Counts: the friendly movement challenge she runs with Dr Dan Bunstone and Phin Robinson, free on the GoJoe Aapp, with one aim, getting a million health and care professionals moving more Her role as interim business manager at North & East Isle of Wight PCN, why she loves being operational, and the line she keeps coming back to: everyone wants to be a leader, no one wants to be a manager Her interim neighbourhood lead role for CVD on the Isle of Wight, and the challenge of bringing stakeholders together with a compelling why but little time or funding Going back to being a student with a Level 2 certificate in public health, and joining the NHS AI Ambassadors Made in Health: the community Tara started for people building non-clinical, admin and managerial AI tools, and her honest struggle with being looked to as the expert when she just wants to learn Reflections on PCN Plus Live, run in partnership with Ben Gowland, Dr Hussein Gandhi and Dr Andy Foster, including a moment of frustration she regrets Her upcoming keynote at the South London PCN Leaders Conference: "This is where we are now. What are you going to do about it?" Asking Dr Ursula Montgomery to mentor her, the story of how mentorship changed her career, and why being a good mentee means doing the work, not waiting to be led Connect with Tara: THC Primary Care: https://www.thcprimarycare.co.uk/ The Business of Healthcare: https://thebusinessofhealthcare.org/

In the fifth episode of The Business of Healthcare Podcast – How It Got Commissioned series, Tara is joined by Dr Faris Al-Ramadani, GP Partner and former Primary Care Network Clinical Director, to explore how a locally developed mental health service moved from frontline problem to a working, commissionable model during the COVID-19 pandemic. As demand for mental health support rapidly increased, general practice teams were seeing patients struggle to access timely care, with long waiting lists and practical barriers preventing many from engaging with existing services. Rather than waiting for a traditional commissioning process, Faris and colleagues identified an opportunity to use the resources already available within primary care to design a new approach. The conversation explores how the PCN brought together trainee psychological therapists, digital tools and local partners to create a coordinated mental health hub, simplifying referral pathways and reducing friction for patients. By piloting solutions, learning through iteration and demonstrating measurable impact, the team developed a model that improved access while supporting wider system priorities. Tara and Faris also discuss the realities of developing services without guaranteed funding, the importance of collaboration and stakeholder alignment, and what this experience tells us about the future of integrated neighbourhood working. In this episode, they explore: Identifying unmet need through frontline clinical experience Developing services without traditional commissioning routes Using existing workforce and digital solutions to unlock capacity Building a coordinated hub model to simplify patient journeys The role of collaboration across primary care and system partners Learning through iteration and adapting when models don't work first time Demonstrating impact to support sustainability and future funding conversations Connect with Faris Al-Ramadani via LinkedIn here.

In the third episode of the 'How It Got Commissioned' series, Tara is joined by Dr Selvaseelan Selvarajah to explore how the Same Day Access service was commissioned and developed in Tower Hamlets. Selvaseelan shares the real story behind designing a service from scratch to address one of the biggest pressures in primary care: same day access. Together, they unpack how collaboration between PCNs, commissioners, and local GPs led to a model that works for patients, practices, and the wider system. This conversation goes beyond theory, offering practical insight into commissioning, piloting, workforce design, and the role of data in securing sustainable services. Key takeaways: The three core problems the service was designed to solve: How early involvement of commissioners shaped the business case The difference between Enhanced Access and Same Day Access Why employing local GPs was critical to continuity, quality, and workforce retention How data, utilisation, and patient feedback strengthened the case for ongoing funding Why access alone isn't enough, and how continuity of care fits into the model Top advice for leaders looking to commission similar services

In this episode of The Business of Healthcare Podcast – How It Got Commissioned, we speak with Dr Mohammad Al-Ubaydli, CEO and Founder of Patients Know Best, about the commissioning and rollout of personal health records in Northwest London. Mohammad shares insights on the unique challenges of the tender process, the importance of patient consent, and navigating negotiations with key stakeholders. We also explore the role of G-Cloud as a procurement framework and the lessons learned from rapid growth and deployment in the healthcare sector, highlighting how innovation and collaboration drive meaningful change in healthcar In this episode, we explore: How a chance conversation led to a region-wide commissioning opportunity What the G-Cloud framework is, and why it can be a commissioning "superpower" The importance of price transparency The challenges of rapid growth, scale, and cash flow after winning a contract Common mistakes founders make, and what Mohammad would do differently Why understanding context and organisational culture matters as much as the contract itself Mohammad's top advice for leaders trying to get services commissioned outside traditional routes This conversation offers honest reflections, practical insights, and valuable lessons for anyone working in healthcare innovation, commissioning, primary care leadership, or system transformation. Visit the Patients Know Best Website here or connect with Mohammad Al-Ubaydli directly here.

In this first episode of 2026, Tara opens the year with a very different kind of conversation, and marks the launch of The Business of Healthcare Podcast on YouTube. This episode is for anyone who isn't entering the new year with "New Year, New Me" energy, particularly those who have experienced loss, uncertainty, or significant change. Tara shares her own reflections and the tools that are helping her move into 2026 with steadiness, self compassion, and intention, rather than pressure or productivity goals. This is a personal episode, focused less on work and more on wellbeing, mindset, and navigating difficult seasons while continuing to show up in life and leadership. Key Takeaways How to organise your energy rather than chasing productivity How to use simple planning tools to reduce overwhelm Moving your body for mental wellbeing, not performance Being kind to yourself Focusing on setting emotional boundaries and protecting your peace The reminder that multiple things can be true at the same time Giving yourself permission to change your mind, pace, or priorities Watch Olivia Jenkins 'My Exact Framework to Crush Your 2026 Goals - The System I Use Every Year' here.

This November, in recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month, we are resharing a series of important episodes that explore the realities, challenges, and innovations surrounding diabetes care and management. This week's episode features Maddie Julian, CEO and Co-founder of DigiBete, an NHS-approved, patient-centred video platform and app created to support and empower children, young people, and families living with diabetes. Maddie shares how DigiBete is helping raise awareness and improve access to resources for those affected by type 1 diabetes. This month carries a particularly deep meaning for us all at THC, as we remember Tahlia, daughter of our host Tara, who tragically passed away. Tahlia lived with type 1 diabetes, and her story is a powerful reminder of how complex and serious this condition can be. By revisiting these conversations we hope to raise awareness, and honour Tahlia's memory by helping others better grasp the life threatening nature of diabetes and the importance of ongoing support for those living with the condition. If these episodes help even one person understand diabetes more deeply or take action to protect a loved one, then we know Tahlia's legacy continues to make a difference. 💙 In memory of Tahlia. If you'd like to support families affected by diabetes, please consider visiting our Just Giving Page.

Dharmesh Patel, Chief Executive of Primary Eyecare Services, joins Tara to explore how optometry can transform the future of primary care. As the NHS shifts more services into the community, Dharmesh explains how local opticians can become a frontline defense, easing hospital pressure while improving access to essential eye care. Dharmesh shares his perspective on the financial, ethical, and structural challenges facing the sector, from underfunded NHS sight tests to the need for stronger collaboration within primary care networks. Takeaways: The NHS 10 year plan and what it means for community based eye care. How local optometrists can help relieve pressure on hospitals. Funding and ethical challenges within UK optometry. Groundbreaking initiatives such as hypertension case-finding in optometry. The importance of collaboration with GPs, dentists, and pharmacists. How integrated primary care can improve patient outcomes and local economies. Visit the Primary Eyecare website here. Visit the Primary Eyecare Services LinkedIn here. Work with me I'm Tara Humphrey and I'm the founder of THC Primary Care, a leading healthcare consultancy. I provide project and network management to Primary Care Networks and consulting support to clinical leads. To date, I've worked with 11 Training Hubs and supported over 120 Primary Care Networks and 3 GP Federations. I understand and appreciate the complexity of healthcare and what it takes to deliver projects across multiple practices. I have over 20 years of project management and business development experience across the private and public sector and have an MBA in Leadership and Management in Healthcare. I'm also published in the London Journal of Primary Care and the author of over 250 blogs. For more weekly insights and advice sign up to my newsletter. Improving the Business of Healthcare – One Episode at a Time Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of the Business of Healthcare Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, leave your honest review, and share.

Can AI transform healthcare? Dr Dan Mullarkey, Medical Director at Skin Analytics and GP, joins Tara to discuss how AI is revolutionising skin cancer detection. Dan shares his journey from traditional GP training to leading digital health innovations focused on preventative care. We explore the challenges of adopting AI in dermatology, including clinical validation, regulation, and trust issues. Takeaways: Dans journey from NHS GP to digital health leader. How Skin Analytics uses AI for early skin cancer detection. Clinical validation, regulation, and trust issues in AI adoption. Addressing NHS workforce shortages with teledermatology and AI. Skin Analytics' European expansion plans and future healthcare vision. Visit Dan Mullarkey's LinkedIn here. Access the Skin Analytics Website here. Visit the Skin Analytics LinkedIn here. Work with me I'm Tara Humphrey and I'm the founder of THC Primary Care, a leading healthcare consultancy. I provide project and network management to Primary Care Networks and consulting support to clinical leads. To date, I've worked with 11 Training Hubs and supported over 120 Primary Care Networks and 3 GP Federations. I understand and appreciate the complexity of healthcare and what it takes to deliver projects across multiple practices. I have over 20 years of project management and business development experience across the private and public sector and have an MBA in Leadership and Management in Healthcare. I'm also published in the London Journal of Primary Care and the author of over 250 blogs. For more weekly insights and advice sign up to my newsletter. Improving the Business of Healthcare – One Episode at a Time Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of the Business of Healthcare Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, leave your honest review, and share.