Our podcasts aim to inform and help people better understand and manage their rheumatic conditions.
You can listen by clicking the 'play' button next to the podcast you want to listen to, you can also listen via our BIRD website podcast page or one of the popular podcast platforms (see 'Where to Listen' icons)
When you've listened we'd love to know what you think so please remember to complete our e-survey (link in the podcast description)
Thank you!
Soft Tissue Problems in Arthritis with Dr Will Tillett
Listen or watch along as we discuss Soft Tissue Problems in Arthritis.
In this episode, podcast host Mel Brooke, BIRDs Patient and Public Engagement Programme talks with Dr Will Tillett, Consultant Rheumatologist & Head of Rheumatology at the RNHRD, RUH Bath.. We explore soft tissue problems — the tendons, muscles and ligaments and other structures that sit around the joint rather than inside it. We also discuss how these problems are diagnosed and when diagnostic imaging techniques like ultrasound or MRI might help.
Useful Links:
www.arthritis-uk.org (www.arthritis-uk.org)
BIRD Podcasts (https://birdbath.org.uk/podcasts)
Connect further with us:
Have questions or thoughts about our information Podcast library? Interested in joining BIRDs patient research panel?
Email Mel at ppe@birdbath.org.uk (mailto:ppe@birdbath.org.uk)
Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us continue sharing information that matters!
The Patient and Public Engagement Programme has been supported by hands-off sponsorships from Eli Lilly and Company Limited, UCB and Amgen -all of whom have provided grant funding but who have were not involved in the development, content or editorial control of this podcast, nor the subsequent review and approval of these materials or general running of the patient and public engagement programme.
We would also like to thank The Arnold Clark Community Fund, The Cumber Family Charitable Trust, Medlock Charitable Trust, The Ray Harris Charitable Trust and The Hospital Saturday Fund.
Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to bring you information that supports you and helps to increase your knowledge of rheumatic diseases.
Please visit the BIRD website to sign up for news at www.birdbath.org.uk (www.birdbath.org.uk)
27 Jan 2026
Beyond the Physical: Mental Wellbeing in Rheumatic Disease with Dr Natalie Slay
Listen or watch along as we talk about Psychological support service at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD), Bath UK.
In this episode, podcast host Mel Brooke, BIRDs Patient and Public Engagement Programme talks with Dr Natalie Slay, Specialist Clinical Psychologist at the RNHRD, RUH Bath about the emotional and psychological side of living with rheumatic disease. We explore how diagnosis affects identity, why stress and overwhelm are so common, and how simple tools like self-compassion and the “stress bucket” can help people understand their mental load and find steadier ways to cope.
Useful Links:
Wren Project (https://www.wrenproject.org)
NHS Every Mind matters ( https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/)
Talking Therapies (NHS) (https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/talking-therapies/)
5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing (NHS) ( https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/)
Other resources mentioned:
Stress bucket ( https://www.hey.nhs.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/OHC_StressBucket.pdf)
Resource pack (A-resource-pack-for-people-with-chronic-health-conditions.pdf)
Explaining threat-drive-soothe (https://ppss-static.cumbria.nhs.uk/files/patient-resources/Worksheet-5.3-Threat-drive-soothe-system.pdf)
I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest with You” a book by Miranda Hart - (available in book stores)
Paul Gilbert and the Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) - (you can search for this
on the internet)
Connect further with us:
Have questions or thoughts about our information Podcast library? Interested in joining BIRDs patient research panel?
Email Mel at ppe@birdbath.org.uk (mailto:ppe@birdbath.org.uk)
Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us continue sharing information that matters!
The Patient and Public Engagement Programme has been supported by hands-off sponsorships from Eli Lilly and Company Limited, UCB and Amgen -all of whom have provided grant funding but who have were not involved in the development, content or editorial control of this podcast, nor the subsequent review and approval of these materials or general running of the patient and public engagement programme.
We would also like to thank The Arnold Clark Community Fund, The Cumber Family Charitable Trust, Medlock Charitable Trust, The Ray Harris Charitable Trust and The Hospital Saturday Fund.
Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to bring you information that supports you and helps to increase your knowledge of rheumatic diseases.
Please visit the BIRD website to sign up for news at www.birdbath.org.uk (www.birdbath.org.uk)
18 Dec 2025
Vasculitis Treatment Updates and New Guidelines (part 1)- with Dr Sarah Skeoch
Listen or watch along as we explore the changes in Vasculitis treatments since our first series in 2020.
In this episode, podcast host Mel Brooke, BIRDs Patient and Public Engagement Programme talks with Dr Sarah Skeoch, Consultant Rheumatologist at the RNHRD, RUH Bath about new guidelines and changes in ANCAVasculitis. We learn how, in the past few years, new treatments have arrived, how steroid use has been re-thought and because there is a lot of new information, we’ll focus more specifically on ANCA-associated vasculitis in this episode and how newer medications are helping to reshape care.
We are planning to come back and cover Giant Cell Arteritis and other types of Vasculitis in Spring when more new guidelines are due out.
Useful Links:
(https://www.nass.co.uk/) The Voices Study:
https://www.vasculitisint.com/voices/ (https://www.vasculitisint.com/voices/)
The New Vasculitis Guidelines:
https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/64/8/4470/8160140 (https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/64/8/4470/8160140)
UK Vasculitis:
https://www.vasculitis.org.uk (https://www.vasculitis.org.uk/)
UKIVAS (Registry Study)
https://ukivas.ndorms.ox.ac.uk (https://ukivas.ndorms.ox.ac.uk/)
Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, RUH Bath (applewebdata://BADC3B28-E9AA-4A52-90CC-96471F079389/%C2%A0%E2%81%A0https:/www.ruh.nhs.uk/RNHRD/patients/services/rheumatology/AS_service/index.asp?menu_id=2%E2%81%A0)
Connect further with us:
Have questions or thoughts about our information Podcast library? Interested in joining BIRDs patient research panel?
Email Mel at ppe@birdbath.org.uk
Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us continue sharing information that matters!
Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to bring you information that supports you and helps to increase your knowledge of rheumatic diseases.
Please visit the BIRD website (https://birdbath.org.uk/) to sign up for news.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
4,429
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
4.5 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
38
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
68
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