Problems Worth Solving

In this two part episode, we talk to Dr. Jonathan Gregory, a former NHS cancer surgeon turned healthcare innovator, to explore the intersection of data, digital tools, AI, and patient-centred design in transforming cancer pathways.

With over 20 years in frontline surgery and leadership roles, Jonathan now works. as clinical advisor for Macmillan Cancer Support, and in roles at Imperial College, and NHS innovation programmes to rethink how healthcare is delivered—from AI-powered end-of-treatment communication to understanding the lived experiences of cancer survivors. He also runs his own consultancy Pivotal Health working with the NHS, academia, startups, and third-sector organisations to develop and implement digital, AI, and data-driven tools.

In part one we explore:

• What it's like working as a surgeon
• Redesigning cancer pathways and why the NHS struggles, despite simple solutions being within reach
• Health inequalities in cancer care and how systems can be re-engineered to work for everyone

In part two we explore:

• Where the real power of AI lies—not in replacing doctors but to challenge bias and support better decisions
• AI's role in better patient communication
• A groundbreaking national research trial, which is rapidly becoming the largest of its kind

Jonathan’s insights will challenge how you think about healthcare transformation, showing how human-centred design, behavioural science, and digital innovation can unlock real improvements—if we let them.

If you’re interested in the future of healthcare, cancer treatment, health inequalities, or AI’s role in medicine, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Problems Worth Solving is brought to you by Healthia, the collaborative service design consultancy for health, care and public services.
Find out more about our work at healthia.services.

Dr. Videha Sharma—NHS doctor, clinical innovation lead at the University of Manchester, and co-founder of Fava Health—joins host, Sam Menter from Healthia®, to explore how prevention-focused care, human-centered design, and genomic insights can reshape healthcare.

Dr. Sharma offers a unique perspective on the power of tailoring treatments to an individual’s genetic profile, shedding light on how this can help reduce adverse drug reactions and improve patient outcomes. From designing better digital tools and workflows, to ensuring clinicians and patients benefit from more coordinated data, this conversation shows how design-led thinking can drive change in the health system.

With examples drawn from Dr. Sharma’s frontline clinical experience and his work in digital health innovation, this episode offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to build a more proactive, patient-centred healthcare system.
Whether you’re involved in service transformation, curious about integrating genomics, or simply passionate about prevention, this conversation uncovers practical and thought-provoking takeaways.

Problems Worth Solving is brought to you by Healthia, the collaborative service design consultancy for health, care and public services.
Find out more about our work at healthia.services.

Rochelle Gold—Head of User Research and User-Centred Design at NHS England—joins host, Sam Menter from Healthia®, to explore the challenge of making digital services more human.

They discuss how actionable insights from user research are delivering better outcomes for patients and healthcare professionals. From pioneering an AI-powered tool to manage research insights, to tackling the risk of “research vampires”, this episode uncovers innovative ways to create truly inclusive health services.

They explore how collaboration between digital, policy, and operational teams is transforming healthcare delivery, highlighting lessons from the pandemic where integrated working accelerated impactful solutions. Rochelle also shares why focusing on excluded groups isn’t just ethical—it’s essential for creating safer, more effective care for everyone.

Packed with examples from Rochelle’s work building NHS England’s user research capability, this conversation offers practical insights for anyone leading service transformation, commissioning research, or passionate about improving health outcomes.

Problems Worth Solving is brought to you by Healthia, the collaborative service design consultancy for health, care and public services.
Find out more about our work at healthia.services.

Dr. Lia Ali—consultant psychiatrist and clinical advisor at NHS England’s Transformation Directorate—joins host, Sam Menter from Healthia®, to explore the intersection of healthcare, human-centered design, and digital innovation.

Dr. Ali shares her unique insights on the bio-psycho-social model and how it aligns with user-centered design to create more personalised, effective health services. From using digital tools to improve patient outcomes, to exploring how the therapeutic relationship evolves in a digital age, this conversation dives deep into the role of design in transforming healthcare delivery.

With examples from Dr. Ali’s work at NHS England and her extensive experience in clinical practice, this episode offers valuable takeaways for anyone interested in the future of healthcare—whether you're leading service transformation, navigating digital health technologies, or simply passionate about improving patient care.

Tune in for practical, thought-provoking insights on how to shape the future of healthcare by putting people first.

Problems Worth Solving is brought to you by Healthia, the collaborative service design consultancy for health, care and public services.
Find out more about our work at healthia.services.

In this two part episode, we talk to Dr. Jonathan Gregory, a former NHS cancer surgeon turned healthcare innovator, to explore the intersection of data, digital tools, AI, and patient-centred design in transforming cancer pathways.

With over 20 years in frontline surgery and leadership roles, Jonathan now works. as clinical advisor for Macmillan Cancer Support, and in roles at Imperial College, and NHS innovation programmes to rethink how healthcare is delivered—from AI-powered end-of-treatment communication to understanding the lived experiences of cancer survivors. He also runs his own consultancy Pivotal Health working with the NHS, academia, startups, and third-sector organisations to develop and implement digital, AI, and data-driven tools.

In part one we explore:

• What it's like working as a surgeon
• Redesigning cancer pathways and why the NHS struggles, despite simple solutions being within reach
• Health inequalities in cancer care and how systems can be re-engineered to work for everyone

In part two we explore:

• Where the real power of AI lies—not in replacing doctors but to challenge bias and support better decisions
• AI's role in better patient communication
• A groundbreaking national research trial, which is rapidly becoming the largest of its kind

Jonathan’s insights will challenge how you think about healthcare transformation, showing how human-centred design, behavioural science, and digital innovation can unlock real improvements—if we let them.

If you’re interested in the future of healthcare, cancer treatment, health inequalities, or AI’s role in medicine, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Problems Worth Solving is brought to you by Healthia, the collaborative service design consultancy for health, care and public services.
Find out more about our work at healthia.services.