Award nomination for Northampton mental health nurse's podcast about life in a psychiatric hospital

A Northampton mental health nurse's podcast aimed at demystifying what life is like at a psychiatric hospital has been nominated for a national award.

On the Ward, hosted by John-Barry Waldron from St Andrew's Hospital, is on the shortlist for 'student innovation in practice' at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2020.

John thought of the podcast while studying for his nursing degree at the University of Northampton after 15 years as a health care assistant at the Billing Road hospital.

“I’m delighted to have been nominated for the Student Nursing Times awards for our new podcast," he said.

"The series has been so well received within the mental health community - we’re almost in the top 10 mental health podcasts in the UK, and it’s even received recognition from Russell Brand."

Over the five episodes of On the Ward, launched in August, listeners hear from patients with various mental health conditions at St Andrew's Hospital as well as John's experiences.

One patient in his early 40s who has been living at the Northampton hospital for more than two years, speaks candidly about the drug 'spice', which he says ruined his life and caused serious problems with his mental health.

He also reveals how it’s easier to tell his family and friends that he’s been in prison instead of a psychiatric hospital.

John said: “Often when people think of psychiatric hospitals, they think of straitjackets and padded cells but that’s such an outdated image of what life is really like here.

“I hope this podcast will go some way in raising awareness and showing that this place isn’t as scary as popular culture sometimes portray mental institutions to be.”

John came up with the idea for the podcast as part of his dissertation for his mental health nursing degree through the Aspire programme.

The partnership between St Andrew’s and the university allows health care assistants to join the three-year course in the second year with an annual salary and pastoral support.

“Often when people are sectioned under the mental health act they essentially disappear from society," the podcast host explained.

"Through this podcast, the staff at St Andrew’s wanted to give patients living with complex mental health issues a chance for their voices to be heard.”

John is not the only Student Nursing Times Awards nominee with links to Northampton.

Northampton General Hospital NHS trust's LGBTQ+ staff network chairman Solomon Jones is on the shortlist for the Mary Seacole award, which recognises outstanding contributions to diversity and inclusion.

Also nominated: Lauretta Ofulue from the University of Northampton for 'learning disabilities student nurse of the year', the university's mental health first aid for 'teaching innovation of the year', and Northamptonshire Health and Care Partnership for 'partnership of the year'.

The winners will be announced at a glittery ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane in London on April 24.

The podcast is available on iTunes and Google Play. For more information, visit ontheward.stah.org.