This NHS hospital podcast shines a light on the incredible patients, staff and achievements within a busy NHS trust.
Don’t Say the Q Word is a monthly series going behind the scenes at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH).
Wherever you live, hospital stories share the same passion, challenges, dedication, teamwork and above all, care.
From porters to professors, med students to medical directors, hear the voices at the heart of Nottingham's City Hospital, Queen’s Medical Centre, Ropewalk House and the National Rehabilitation Centre.
Whatever you do Don't say the Q word!
The NRC - not just building but a change of culture.
“You will cry. You will take steps backwards. But you will leave the NRC as a better individual.”
14 Sept 2026
Episode 8: Fighting back against it
In this episode of Don’t Say the Q Word, we hear from Lisa Beresford, Head of Risk Management, as she shares her deeply personal journey of being diagnosed with follicular lymphoma.
Lisa talks openly about the experience of receiving her diagnosis, navigating treatment and the uncertainty that can come with living with cancer.
We’re also joined by Consultant Nicolas Martinez-Calle, an expert in Haematology, who helps us understand more about the condition, how it is diagnosed and treated, and what patients can expect following a diagnosis.
22 Jul 2026
Episode 7: My daughter nearly died from a chip shop sausage
In the latest episode, we meet the woman who has worked at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) since she trained here as a student nurse from the age of 18 in 1992.
When her daughter almost died in A&E at Queens Medical Centre, Lisa saw the power of NUH care and was inspired to work as a Lead Clinical Nurse specialist in Allergy in Nottingham Children’s Hospital.
Alongside her colleague and the lady who cared for both of Lisa’s children - Children's respiratory and community nurse, Debra Forster - we hear the trauma of watching her daughter in serious anaphylaxis and the emotion that holds still 20 years on; we discuss why allergy is much more prevalent now and the idea that maybe we are all too clean; and we discover how even kissing could be dicey!
8 Jul 2026
Episode 6: " If I fell asleep, I would die"
After being admitted to intensive care at QMC with critically low sodium levels in July 2024, Seth Fenton's family feared the worst. Following a lifesaving diagnosis of Addison’s disease and months of recovery, Seth not only rebuilt his life but went on to complete the Outlaw Sprint Triathlon to raise money for Nottingham Hospitals Charity. In this episode of Don’t Say the Q Word, Seth shares his remarkable story and thanks the NUH staff who saved his life.
17 Jun 2026
Seeing the Person, Not Just the Patient: The Power of Youth Work
In this episode of Don’t Say the Q Word, we hear from Donna Hilton, youth service manager at Nottingham Children’s Hospital, who has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours. Donna reflects on her 27-year journey leading one of the NHS’s pioneering hospital youth services, supporting young people with long-term conditions to build confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging.
Through powerful real-life stories, Donna shares the impact of creating safe, supportive spaces within hospital walls—and why helping young people feel heard can be truly life-changing.
8 Jun 2026
Sixteen and Suddenly Fighting- A teenager's cancer story
In Episode 3 we meet Nottingham Children’s Hospital patient, Ella Davey and her mum Emma. Ella was just 16 and about to start her year 10 GCSE mock exams when she woke up one morning white as a ghost. She went for what she thought would be a simple blood test only to be admitted to hospital within hours. Ella found herself on Ward E39, the teenage cancer ward, beginning a journey she and her family never expected
22 May 2026
Bonus Dementia awareness week episode: “My Granny is Changing”
Bonus Dementia awareness week episode: “My Granny is Changing”
In this bonus episode, sisters Amy and Laura reflect on their grandmother’s dementia journey and the lasting impact it had on their family. Over 10 years on from her diagnosis of vascular dementia, the sisters return to B47, one of the healthcare for older patients wards at Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC).
They remember fondly the care their Gran received and the fun she had on the ward and how those little moments made such a difference. They share how grief lingered long after her passing, and how Amy’s new children’s book, My Granny is Changing, has helped them process that grief and hope it will help others too.
1 May 2026
Episode 2: Refined by time, not defined by it
Episode 2 introduces Beth Carey, a highly specialist geriatric physiotherapist at NUH.
Beth’s passion for caring for older patients is a joy to hear.
She shares the extraordinary conversations she has at work — from former pit workers who still carry coal fragments intheir hands, to a retired naval officer involved in covert operations during the Korean War.
Beth believes we should all be able to stay energetic wellinto our 90s and beyond, and is passionate that age should never be a reason for someone to be written off — not just physically, but for the stories they hold and the contributions they’ve made to history.
2 Apr 2026
Episode 1: A day in the life of a hospital
In the first episode, which was recorded and filmed on the Trust’s 20th anniversary, April 1, we get a real flavour of a day in the life of a hospital. Hosted in the busy D floor restaurant at Queen's Medical Centre (QMC), we hear from a deputy sister turned patient who is thankful for the care she has had after kidney failure from a rare autoimmune disease; the meet and greet volunteer who is giving back after a grandchild was saved; the Easter vistors who delivered a thousand Easter eggs to the Children's Hospital in their Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Fire Engine; and our CEO who admits he can't remember his first aid training so he'll leave it to the professionals!
27 Mar 2026
Shhh! The trailer is here!
"Don't say the Q word!" is a brand new NHS podcast, set in one of the biggest and busiest acute teaching trusts, is about to land so stick it in your podcast favourites ready for episode 1 on Friday 3rd April.
We just wanted to tease you with a glimpse of the types of incredible voices and stories you will be hearing each month.
Get ready for Friday 3rd April.
But, whatever you do, "Don't say the Q word!"
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