Don't say the Q word

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!

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.

Episode 5: 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.

Episode 4: 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

Episode 3: Dementia awareness week “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.