Stories Labels and Misconceptions

In this episode of 'Stories, Labels, and Misconceptions,' hosts Val Barrett and Dr. Jeremy Anderson explore the complex role of empathy in healthcare. They delve into the arguments presented in Paul Bloom's book 'Against Empathy,' discussing the distinctions between cognitive and emotional empathy and the importance of compassion in providing consistent care. 

The conversation touches on how empathy can be i...

Join hosts Val Barrett and Dr. Jeremy Anderson in the final chapter of their health inequality series. In this episode, they dive into common sense solutions to address health disparities in income, ethnicity, gender, education, and geography.

Reflecting on past episodes, they discuss the importance of affordable housing, employment, prevention over cure, culturally competent care, and community-based health solutions. 

The urgency o...

In this fifth part of the health inequality series, Val Barrett and Dr. Jeremy Anderson discuss the 2024 Lord Darzi Report on the state of the NHS. They review historical reports such as the Black Report (1980), Acheson Report (1998), and others to highlight persisting health inequalities and systemic issues within the NHS. 

The discussion explores urgent problems like waiting times, the impact of COVID-19, the lack of social care s...

In this episode of 'Stories, Labels, and Misconceptions,' hosts Val Barrett and Dr. Jeremy Anderson continue their series on health inequality. 

They delve into several key reports, including the Black Report, the Acheson Report, and the Marmot Review, discussing their findings and the actions (or lack thereof) taken by various governments. 

The conversation addresses the crucial topics of social determinants of health, pol...

In this episode of 'Stories, Labels, and Misconceptions,' hosts Val Barrett and Dr. Jeremy Anderson continue their health inequality series, focusing on why awareness alone hasn't driven actionable change. 

They dissect past reports, including the 2010 Marmot Review, the 2017 Race Disparity Audit, and the 2020 follow-up Health Foundation report. The conversation explores systemic issues and political inaction that hin...

In this thought-provoking episode of 'Stories, Labels, Misconceptions', co-hosts Val Barrett and Dr. Jeremy Anderson dive into the pressing issue of health inequalities. Exploring the insights from episodes one and two, they dissect how race, disability, and class shape health outcomes in the UK. 

From the alarming disparities faced by Black women in childbirth to the systemic barriers for disabled individuals and the work...

In this episode of 'Stories, Labels, and Misconceptions,' Val Barrett and Dr Jeremy Anderson continue their Health Inequality series by exploring the Social Determinants of Health. 

Discussing factors like education, economic stability, neighbourhood environments, and access to healthcare, they dive deep into how these social factors influence health long before medical intervention. 

Through examples, they highlight the ...

Join Val Barrett and Dr. Jeremy Anderson in the first episode of their six-part series on health inequalities in the UK. They delve into the definition of health, the evolution of its understanding, and how social determinants like income, postcode, and education influence health outcomes. 

They discuss the concept of deprivation, its impact on health, and the complex interplay of various factors contributing to health inequalities....

Join hosts Val Barrett and Dr. Jeremy Anderson as they delve into the pressing crisis within the UK's care sector. This episode scrutinises the recent government changes to immigration rules, particularly the impact on an already overwhelmed and undervalued sector reliant on overseas workers. 

Val and Dr. Anderson share personal stories and discuss the challenges of integrating migrants into the care workforce, exploring the mi...

In this episode of the 'Stories, Labels, and Misconceptions' podcast, co-hosts Val Barrett and Dr. Jeremy Anderson dive into the pressing issues within public services, particularly in the realm of health care. 

Val shares her personal struggles with dry eyes and the varied quality of care she received from different clinics. The conversation then shifts to dental care in the UK, discussing the declining availability of NH...

In this episode of 'Stories, Labels, and Misconceptions,' hosts Val Barrett and Dr. Jeremy Anderson delve into the complexities of NHS prescription charges in England. 

They explore the government's recent decision to freeze prescription costs, the criteria for free NHS prescriptions, and the financial burden on those requiring long-term medication. 

They also discuss the arbitrary nature of medical exemptions and shar...

Join hosts Val Barrett and Dr. Jeremy Anderson on this episode of 'Stories, Labels, and Misconceptions' as they welcome their special guest, Ayesha. In this insightful and heartfelt discussion, Ayesha shares her personal experiences working in the public sector.

The challenges she faces with social housing, and how she navigates the racism and lack of support from her housing association. This episode sheds light on the im...

In this episode of 'Stories, Labels, and Misconceptions,' hosts Val Barrett and Dr. Jeremy Anderson delve into Eleasha Ajadi's compelling life story. Join them as Eleasha recounts her experiences growing up with lifelong conditions and navigating the complexities of the NHS. 

From unexpected dental mishaps to the emotional rollercoaster of her health journey, Eleasha shares both the challenges and triumphs. Learn abou...

In this episode of 'Stories, Labels, and Misconceptions,' hosts Val Barrett and Dr. Jeremy Anderson interview Val's son, Andre, who shares his inspiring journey living with sickle cell disease while pursuing his dreams. 

Andre discusses his health challenges, including strokes and epilepsy, and how he overcame educational and workplace barriers with the support of family and community programs. 

The conversation highli...

In this episode of 'Stories, Labels, Misconceptions,' hosts Val Barrett and Dr Jeremy Anderson explore the various crises impacting the NHS and social care system. 

From the controversial handling of PPE expenditures to the discrepancies in MP expenses versus the meagre support for carers and benefit recipients, Val and Jeremy delve deep into the systemic inequalities that continue to widen. 

They discuss the flaws in gover...

Join Val and Dr Jeremy in this thought-provoking episode as they dive into the complexities of class identity in politics. With the recent changes in the UK government and the rise of politicians claiming to be "working class," they explore what that term really means in today's society.

They discuss the disconnect between politicians and the public, the obsession with class labels, and the implications of privilege a...

 In this episode of 'Stories, Labels, and Misconceptions,' co-hosts Val Barrett and Dr Jeremy Anderson delve into the NHS's evolving dynamics and its impact on community healthcare services including innovative Sickle Cell Service initiatives.

 They discuss the challenges and misconceptions surrounding men's health, particularly focusing on the increasing demand for penile prosthetics. 

The conversation transition...

In this episode of Stories, Labels, and Misconceptions, hosts Val Barrett and Dr Jeremy Anderson discuss the latest updates on Arab Isaac's case, including the implementation of Awaab's  Law in October 2025. The law will require social housing providers to address damp and mould hazards promptly. 

The hosts also delve into the government’s decision to abolish NHS England and merge it with the Department of Health and Socia...

Unveiling the Struggles in the NHS and Social Care

In this debut episode of 'Stories, Labels, and Misconceptions,' co-hosts Val Barrett and Dr. Jeremy Anderson delve into the challenges faced by patients with long-term conditions within the NHS and social care systems. They highlight the complexities of managing conditions like sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis, the importance of respecting patient expertise, and the...