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.
Stories of Safety is a podcast that delves into the stories, science, and policy that have shaped
health care safety. Hosted by patient safety researcher Professor Jane O’Hara, and funded and
delivered by National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Yorkshire & Humber Patient
Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC), this series brings together leading voices from the UK and
beyond to explore a deceptively simple yet crucial question: How safe are we, and how can we
improve?
Through insightful conversations with researchers, patients and families, policymakers, and
those on the front lines, Stories of Safety explores the complexity of health care and the
challenges of managing and measuring safety.
Join us as we navigate the ever-evolving world of patient safety—one story at a time.
This podcast has been funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
Yorkshire & Humber Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC). The views expressed are
those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and
Social Care.
Jane O’Hara is Director of Research at The Healthcare Improvement Studies (THIS) Institute,
University of Cambridge, and theme lead for the Safer Systems, Cultures and Practices theme
within the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Yorkshire & Humber Patient
Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC).
UK