Episode Description

In this episode of While I’m Here, Doc, Dr Tom McWaters speaks with Lindsay Dubock, CEO and co-founder of The Training Network, to explore resilience, burnout and wellbeing in general practice and wider healthcare.

The conversation examines why these topics are becoming increasingly important for clinicians and healthcare teams, particularly amid rising demand, workload pressures, and the emotional intensity of patient-facing work.

Lindsay helps reframe resilience as something much more than simply enduring pressure. Rather than seeing resilience as an individual personality trait, Tom and Lindsay discuss it as the ability to reset, recover and respond, supported by the teams and systems around us.

They also explore how burnout can develop when that reset never comes, and why it should not be seen as a personal failure. The episode covers practical ways to recognise early signs of burnout in ourselves and colleagues.

The discussion also focuses on realistic wellbeing strategies that can fit into a busy working day, including micro-resets, boundaries, movement and creating a culture where it feels safe to say, “I’m not okay”.

This podcast is produced by the Primary Care Workforce Academy, supporting GPs and primary care teams across the UK with learning, training and practical support.

If you have suggestions for future topics or feedback on the podcast, we’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch via social media or our website at www.pcwa.co.uk.

Resources

PCWA

The Training Network

NHS Practitioner Health

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for UK GPs to support education and professional development. It is not designed for patients or the general public and must not be used as a source of personal medical advice or diagnosis.

The views expressed in this episode reflect the personal clinical opinions and interpretations of current best practice by the host and guest. The information covered was accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of recording (March 2026), but guidance and evidence may change. It is the listener’s responsibility to check the most up-to-date local and national guidelines and to use their own clinical judgement when making treatment decisions.

Neither Dr Tom McWaters nor the contributors accept liability for any advice, investigations, treatment decisions, diagnoses, or any other actions that listeners may take as a result of the content of this podcast. Any reliance on information in this podcast is entirely at the listener’s own risk. The content should support learning but never replace clinical reasoning, contextual decision-making, or current guidance.

In this episode of While I’m Here, Doc, Dr Tom McWaters speaks with Dr Sham Sabri, GP with an extended role in mental health, to explore how GPs can manage the rising demand for mental health support in general practice.

We discuss practical approaches to risk assessment, safety-netting, and optimising referrals to secondary care to reduce bounce-backs. The conversation also covers the increasing prevalence of neurodivergent presentations, the impact of social media and screen time on younger patients, and the role of digital tools and AI in mental health care.

Sham also reflects on his varied career across clinical practice, leadership, and education, and shares insights into developing an extended role within general practice.

This podcast is produced by the Primary Care Workforce Academy, supporting GPs and primary care teams across the UK with learning, training, and practical support.

If you have suggestions for future topics or feedback on the podcast, we’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch via social media or through our website, www.pcwa.co.uk.

Resources

PCWA

General Practitioners with Extended Roles

ILM-5 leadership and management training

Samaritans – 116 123

Mind

Headspace

Kooth

Practitioner health

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for UK GPs to support education and professional development. It is not designed for patients or the general public and must not be used as a source of personal medical advice or diagnosis.

The views expressed in this episode reflect the personal clinical opinions and interpretations of current best practice by the host and guest. The information covered was accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of recording (March 2026), but guidance and evidence may change. It is the listener’s responsibility to check the most up-to-date local and national guidelines and to use their own clinical judgement when making treatment decisions.

Neither Dr Tom McWaters nor the contributors accept liability for any advice, investigations, treatment decisions, diagnoses, or any other actions that listeners may take as a result of the content of this podcast. Any reliance on information in this podcast is entirely at the listener’s own risk. The content should support learning but never replace clinical reasoning, contextual decision-making, or current guidance.

In the first episode of While I’m Here, Doc, Dr Tom McWaters speaks with Dr Rosemary Leonard, GP, author, and former BBC Breakfast doctor, to explore key topics in women’s health that GPs are managing every day in general practice.

We discuss practical tips for managing menopause and HRT, how to navigate social-media-driven expectations, and myths that often lead to confusion or overtreatment. Rosemary also reflects on her varied career in general practice and shares lessons learned along the way.

This podcast is produced by the Primary Care Workforce Academy, supporting GPs and primary care teams across the UK with learning, training, and practical support.

If you have suggestions for future topics or feedback on the podcast, we’d love to hear from you. Just drop us a message via social media or via our website, www.pcwa.co.uk.

Resources

BMS Tools for Clinicians

FSRH - GLP-1 agonists and oral contraception

Action on Pre-eclampsia

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for UK GPs to support education and professional development. It is not designed for patients or the general public and must not be used as a source of personal medical advice or diagnosis.

The views expressed in this episode reflect the personal clinical opinions and interpretations of current best practice by the host and guest. The information covered was accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of recording (November 2025), but guidance and evidence may change. It is the listener's responsibility to check the most up-to-date local and national guidelines and to use their own clinical judgement when making treatment decisions.

Neither Dr Tom McWaters nor the contributors accept liability for any advice, investigations, treatment decisions, diagnoses, or any other actions that listeners may take as a result of the content of this podcast. Any reliance on information in this podcast is entirely at the listener’s own risk. The content should support learning but never replace clinical reasoning, contextual decision-making, or current guidance.

Welcome to While I’m Here, Doc! A new monthly podcast for busy GPs who want practical insights for everyday general practice.

Hosted by Dr Tom McWaters, a GP in South East London, the podcast brings together experienced GPs and specialists to discuss the real-world clinical questions that come up in consultations every day.

Follow the podcast to make sure new episodes land straight in your feed.

While I’m Here Doc is brought to you by the Primary Care Workforce Academy, supporting primary care teams with practical learning and real-world support.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is intended for UK-based GPs and healthcare professionals. It is not designed for patients or the general public and does not constitute medical advice.