The Unprescribed Podcast

The Unprescribed Podcast

By: Jacob Haddad

Language: en

Categories: Health, Fitness, Medicine

Welcome to the Unprescribed podcast, where we go beyond the headlines to uncover the stories of leadership, innovation and change in the NHS. Hosted by Jacob Haddad, CEO and founder of Accurx, in each episode we sit down with NHS leaders - past and present - for candid, unfiltered conversations. Want to join us as a guest or share your thoughts? Drop us a line at unprescribedpodcast@accurx.com.

Episodes

Episode Five - Lord James O’Shaughnessy
Jan 09, 2026

Former Health Minister Lord James O’Shaughnessy, joins Jacob Haddad to talk candidly about what it’s really like leading change inside the NHS - from innovation and patient safety to productivity, data trust and the future of UK life sciences.

From education reform to healthcare leadership

James didn’t plan a career in health. After years working on national school reform, he found himself appointed Health Minister almost overnight, just as the NHS was heading into one of its toughest winters. Thrown “straight into the deep end”, he had to learn quickly how a system this vast reall...

Duration: 00:50:50
Episode Four - Oscar Boldt-Christmas
Sep 29, 2025

In this episode of the Unprescribed podcast, we welcome Oscar Boldt-Christmas, Co-founder of Tandem Health, Europe’s largest AI-scribe and close partner to Accurx. The conversation covers Oscar’s insights from his 20+ year career in healthcare, the huge potential of AI in improving staff productivity and patient care, and the challenges of spreading innovation in healthcare.

(00:00) Introduction to the Unprescribed podcast

(01:03) Comparing healthcare systems: NHS vs. Sweden

(06:42) Oscar's career journey, memorable moments and healthcare challenges

(21:31) Oscar’s view on great leadership

(26:26) Potential and challenges of AI on healthcare 

(32:2...

Duration: 00:54:37
Episode Three - Dame Caroline Clarke
Aug 29, 2025

In this episode of the Unprescribed podcast, we welcome Dame Caroline Clarke, the Regional Director for the NHS in London. Caroline shares her career journey starting out as a finance trainee in 1991 to her present role, including her time at the Royal Free hospital where she managed Ebola patients and the challenges of the pandemic. She also touches on her vision for London to be the healthiest global city and what it’ll take to get there, as well as her leadership lessons. 

(00:00) – Introduction to the Unprescribed Podcast

(00:52) – Caroline’s career journey

(05:13) – Leadership at the Roya...

Duration: 00:55:00
Episode Two - Dr Nikki Kanani
Jul 01, 2025

In this episode of the Unprescribed podcast, we welcome Dr Nikki Kanani, a seasoned GP, ex National Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England, and founding member of Aneira Health. Nikki discusses her journey in various leadership roles through the NHS and the leadership lessons she’s accumulated along the way, her role during the COVID-19 vaccine programme, what she’s been up to at Aneira Health improving women’s healthcare and why the NHS needs to be brave and partner more to improve patient care and system efficiency.

 

(00:00) – Introduction to the Unprescribed Podcast

(01...

Duration: 00:49:58
Episode One - Sir David Sloman
Jun 02, 2025

In our debut episode of the Unprescribed podcast, I welcome Sir David Sloman, who has held significant roles within the NHS over the past 40 years. We discuss his journey from HIV and AIDS coordinator in Camden, to Chief Operating Officer of NHS England. David shares candid and emotional reflections on leading London through COVID-19, balancing urgent demands with long-term transformation, his leadership lessons, digital integration, mentorship, his reasons to stay optimistic about the future of the NHS and more. 

 

(00:00) Introduction to the Unprescribed podcast

(03:08) Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic

(19:31) Keeping the mo...

Duration: 01:03:47