In the fourth and final episode of "Rise," titled "Anger is an Energy," Craig Gould presents a deeply emotional yet uplifting message of hope to others facing similar battles. This episode captures Craig's unwavering optimism, even...

In this third episode of Rise, Craig Gould takes us through the intense and perilous journey of his second bone marrow transplant. Facing near-fatal complications and a fight for survival, Craig's story is one of extraordinary resi...

In "Part 2 - A New Normal," the second episode of this special podcasts season, "Rise," Craig  takes us through the challenging phase of his cancer treatment, including intensive chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. This episode ...

In the first episode of our Rise special episodes, a  good friend  Craig Gould shares the earth-shattering moment of his cancer diagnosis, its impact on his family, and the life-altering discussions with his wife. This episode not onl...

So the boys are back in town with a brand new season of the Placemat. What have they learned during the hiatus? Well, not an awful lot to be honest. Is the new CEO of NHS ...

The Placemat has a long history of correctly predicting the major events in the NHS and beyond. In this special bonus episode we showcase some of our finest and most prescient moments, from the resignation of Simon Stevens and the ...

In the last Placemat of the season, the boys join Simon Stevens and the Financial Times for a good lunch in one of London’s grittiest districts before celebrating all that’s bravest and best about NHS chief executives. Thank you for all you do,...

By the time you listen to this we may have a new secretary of state for health and social care, so hurry and grab a tasty chunk of what could be the very last Matt Hancock Time. It will be heart-breaking to say goodbye to that catchy little num...

Remember that film with Bill and Jeff? You know the one, the gay revenge drama set in a U-boat. No? Never mind.In the latest episode, the boys consider whether Dominic Cummings was right to compare the government’s handling of the pandem...

In the latest episode of the NHS's most influential and serious podcast, hosts Mike, Julian and The Other Guy take the burning issues of the day and attempt to run with them, like three inept athletes at the start of a very bad olympic games. &...

Anyone of a sensitive disposition should avoid this episode, which features some very unlikely characters (AKA the usual presenting team), some spectacularly bad acting and some genuinely unforgivable regional accents. We don't jus...

This week's episode of the NHS's favourite podcast finds Sir Simon Stevens rooting through your bins. No the head of NHS England hasn't fallen on hard times, but he is keen to keep you out of hospital by checking you are doing everything you ca...

What does the former England rugby captain Kyran Bracken know about the NHS? Refreshingly little as it turns out, but he does have some painfully funny experiences of urgent care to share. They'll have you in stitches.In a packed episod...

We planned to pack this week's Placemat with hard news, insightful commentary and vital information about the NHS. Instead you'll have to settle for some moderately ill-informed banter and a few jingles. Dr Mike Smith, John Bennett and...

This week the team discuss Matt Hancock's denial that NHS staff faced shortages of PPE at the start of the pandemic. Then they go on national TV to thank each other.Our special guest Phil Hammond, Private Eye medical correspondent, come...

In the first episode of The Placemat, we meet the diverse team of middle-aged, male presenters talking about the health service – which is a really terrible idea unless they’re Julian Patterson, John Bennett and Dr Mike Smith. And luckily they ...