Safeguarding Healthcare

About Safeguarding Healthcare

Safeguarding Healthcare leads you through the intricate corridors of hospitals, taking you behind closed doors on an extraordinary journey. This is the podcast that holds a stethoscope to the beating heart of hospitals to reveal the reasoning behind the clinical governance decision making process. Join host, Dr David Rankin, a 35-year veteran of medical administration, as he puts some of Australia’s most senior hospital managers in the hot seat to challenge them with major and often complex hypothetical challenges that reflect some of the most contentious issues facing modern medicine. This podcast offers an unfiltered view of the web of patient safety, medical ethics, and healthcare decision-making. Join us as we explore gripping topics, from the thorny questions surrounding patient consent to the implications of ground-breaking healthcare technologies. Each episode delves into the heart of healthcare, scrutinizing the decisions that impact patient well-being and safety. Discover how these passionate professionals navigate medical minefields, striving to ensure the highest standards of care, all while grappling with a broad and ever-evolving healthcare landscape. Whether you're a seasoned healthcare practitioner, a patient seeking insight into the system, or simply curious about the inner workings of hospitals, this podcast offers an enlightening perspective on the complexities of modern medicine.

Publisher

Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Oct 2023

Latest episode

9 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

51 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   9 Sept 2025

   The Open Disclosure Conversation

   When a young patient deteriorates from back pain to septic shock and then paraplegia, the questions begin. ‘Safeguarding Healthcare’ host Dr David Rankin and Dr Paul Lane, the Medical Director Safety, Quality and Innovation at The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane, dissect this intriguing scenario. Together they discuss delayed diagnosis, open disclosure, and clinical accountability. They explore how to support distraught families, communicate with care teams, and lead through crisis while upholding safety and transparency. Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the following Podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, and should not be considered health, legal or financial advice. The cases discussed in the Podcast may be specific to the speaker’s organisation or location, and may not be applicable to other organisations, states, territories or countries. RACMA does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organisation presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. RACMA will not be held responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this Podcast. The Podcast may contain descriptions of health incidents that may be graphic and triggering for some people, so listener discretion is advised. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

2. 

   26 Aug 2025

   Lessons from loss

   A patient in ED dies of a catastrophic stroke after what seems like delays in clinical treatment. What should a medical administrator do? Dr Liz Mullins, Director of Medical Services, Bega Valley Health Service at Southern NSW Local Health District, joins our host, Dr David Rankin, to explore the complexities of medical administration following a patient death. Through the lens of a delayed TIA review, they examine how structured reviews can drive learning and system improvement. The discussion highlights the importance of timely internal investigations, open disclosure, supporting grieving families and staff, and improving communication with clinicians – especially in regional settings. Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the following Podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, and should not be considered health, legal or financial advice. The cases discussed in the Podcast may be specific to the speaker’s organisation or location, and may not be applicable to other organisations, states, territories or countries. RACMA does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organisation presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. RACMA will not be held responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this Podcast. The Podcast may contain descriptions of health incidents that may be graphic and triggering for some people, so listener discretion is advised. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

3. 

   12 Aug 2025

   A bit of a problem in surgery

   A surgical tool breaks mid-operation, and a piece of metal is left inside a patient’s knee bone. What would you do? Safeguarding Healthcare host Dr David Rankin presents this complex real-world scenario to seasoned medical administrator Dr Brett Gardiner for his views on how this problem could be solved. Together, they look at the medico-legal, patient safety and organisational implications of such an incident, offering insight into responsibilities, risk mitigation, and the systems that underpin safe surgical practice. Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the following Podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, and should not be considered health, legal or financial advice. The cases discussed in the Podcast may be specific to the speaker’s organisation or location, and may not be applicable to other organisations, states, territories or countries. RACMA does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organisation presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. RACMA will not be held responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this Podcast. The Podcast may contain descriptions of health incidents that may be graphic and triggering for some people, so listener discretion is advised. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Who has been a guest on Safeguarding Healthcare

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Associate Professor Rex Prahbu
• Dr Peter Lowthian
• Professor Matt Sabin

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

39

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

68