S2 E11 The Bias Conversation | What Every Practitioner Needs to Know

When something goes wrong in independent healthcare, who is actually responsible?   The answer can depend heavily on the contracts that were in place long before a claim arose.   In this episode of AlteaTalks, Will Marshall, Head of Legal and Risk Management at Altea, is joined by Anna Walsh, Partner in the Insurance and Reinsurance Group at CMS, to explore why contracts matter so much for independent healthcare providers.   Drawing on Anna's extensive experience of medical malpractice claims and disputes, they look at three important relationships: the people providers work with but don't directly employ, patients and service users, and suppliers and commissioners.   They discuss practising privileges, agency and temporary workers, self-employed practitioners in the beauty and aesthetics sector, patient terms and conditions and NHS commissioning arrangements.   They also consider what can happen when responsibilities haven't been clearly defined, why indemnity and insurance provisions matter, and the lessons healthcare providers can take from recent cases.   Finally, Anna looks ahead to some of the emerging legal and contractual issues likely to shape independent healthcare — including AI, changing workforce models and preventative medicine.   A practical conversation about contracts, responsibility and managing risk before a problem becomes a claim.       *Disclaimer:  The information contained in this podcast is not intended to represent a complete analysis of the topics presented and is provided for information purposes only.  The views expressed are personal to Anna Walsh and Will Marshall and do not necessarily represent the views of Altea or the CMS.  The content of this podcast is not intended as legal or specific risk or insurance advice and no responsibility can be accepted for any reliance placed upon it.  Independent legal, risk or insurance advice should always be obtained before applying any information to particular circumstances. 

In this special episode of AlteaTalks, we're delighted to launch the Altea Academy – Altea's new digital professional learning and development platform, created to help healthcare organisations and regulated professionals learn, grow and stay ahead in an increasingly complex world. Host Will Marshall is joined by James Read, Managing Director of Zing365, to explore how modern learning is transforming professional development. Together they discuss why continuous learning matters, moving beyond 'tick-box' compliance, how AI is changing the way competence is developed and assessed, and the importance of leadership, business and wellbeing skills alongside clinical expertise. Discover how Altea Academy is making high-quality, practical learning more accessible, helping organisations reduce risk, build confidence and create a culture of continuous improvement. Whether you're a healthcare leader, practice owner or regulated professional, this is an episode not to miss.

In this episode, Will Marshall sits down with Melanie Venables from the Professional Standards Authority for a wide-ranging conversation about where health and care regulation is heading next. They talk about the challenge of keeping regulation proportionate in a fast-changing world, from workforce reform and AI to aesthetics licensing and public protection, and why collaboration and flexibility will be key to building a safer, fairer system for both practitioners and patients.    

In this episode, we're joined by Dr Rob Lawson, a leading voice in lifestyle medicine and co-founder of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr Lawson explores how our environment and everyday habits shape our long-term health. We discuss the drivers behind rising chronic disease, and the growing recognition of the importance of  prevention over cure. He shares practical insights on integrating lifestyle medicine into modern healthcare, highlighting its potential to transform patient outcomes and support more sustainable, person-centred care.   Resources: Altea Insurance https://www.alteainsurance.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/altea-insurance/   *Disclaimer: The information contained in this podcast is not intended to represent a complete analysis of the topics presented and is provided for information purposes only. The views expressed are personal to Dr Rob Lawson and Will Marshall and do not necessarily represent the views of Altea or the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine. The content of this podcast is not intended as legal or specific risk or insurance advice and no responsibility can be accepted for any reliance placed upon it. Independent legal, risk or insurance advice should always be obtained before applying any information to particular circumstances.

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Johnson, the original specialist insurer to the psychological professions, with unrivalled expertise in providing bespoke professional liability insurance solutions to counsellors, psychotherapists and coaches. Drawing on nearly four decades of experience, Steve explores the unique risks facing talking therapies professionals today, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining safe professional boundaries, managing unrealistic client expectations and navigating the opportunities and challenges of remote working. He shares practical, real-world insights to help practitioners protect their practice, their clients and themselves.   Resources: Altea Insurance https://www.alteainsurance.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/altea-insurance/  

In this episode, we sit down with researcher and tattoo artist Brooklyn Bond to unpack how unconscious bias shapes every corner of the beauty and aesthetics sector. From appearance-based assumptions to LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, racial, religious, age and disability bias, Brooklyn reveals how snap judgements can influence consultations, impact effective communication and damage client trust. She shares practical, client-led strategies designed to break old habits, enhance self-awareness, build resilience and deliver safer, more inclusive care in an increasingly diverse industry.   Resources: Altea Insurance https://www.alteainsurance.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/altea-insurance/

In this episode, we welcome back Josie Winter, Clinical Lead of Advanced Clinical Solutions and creator of the Good Governance Review, the innovative digital tool that helps health and care providers assess their quality, safety, and compliance. Ahead of the Review's exclusive rollout to Altea customers, Josie explains why effective governance focuses on people, culture, and continuous improvement rather than simple checklists. The conversation highlights how strong leadership, clear structures, and evidence-based practice can enhance accountability, build trust, and improve outcomes for both patients and staff.   Resources: Altea Insurance https://www.alteainsurance.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/altea-insurance/   *Disclaimer: The information contained in this podcast is not intended to represent a complete analysis of the topics presented and is provided for information purposes only. The views expressed are personal to Josie Winter and Will Marshall and do not necessarily represent the views of Advanced Clinical Solutions or Altea. The content of this podcast is not intended as legal or specific risk or insurance advice and no responsibility can be accepted for any reliance placed upon it. Independent legal, risk or insurance advice should always be obtained before applying any information to particular circumstances.  

In this episode we're joined by Alex Jacobs, CEO of the British Acupuncture Council and a practising acupuncturist. Tune in to learn why these are exciting times for Acupuncture in the UK as it looks to play an increasingly prominent role in delivering efficacious and cost-effective primary care. Alex shares the story behind professional regulation, highlights the enhanced patient safety benefits of proper training, and describes how closer collaboration with the NHS is helping more people benefit safely from this long-respected form of medicine. Resources: Altea Insurance https://www.alteainsurance.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/altea-insurance/   *Disclaimer: The information contained in this podcast is not intended to represent a complete analysis of the topics presented and is provided for information purposes only. The views expressed are personal to Alex Jacobs and Will Marshall and do not necessarily represent the views of the British Acupuncture Council or Altea. The content of this podcast is not intended as legal or specific risk or insurance advice and no responsibility can be accepted for any reliance placed upon it. Independent legal, risk or insurance advice should always be obtained before applying any information to particular circumstances.

Beyond the care home stereotype lies a sector that's busy transforming lives through innovation and ambition. We are delighted to be joined this month by Professor Vic Rayner OBE, CEO of the National Care Forum, and a leading international authority on the care sector. Tune in for a wide-ranging and fascinating discussion that encompasses fair funding battles, technology's exciting potential, the army of unpaid carers delivering a "second NHS," and why urgent reform is needed while awaiting the Casey Commission's 2026 recommendations.   Resources: Altea Insurance https://www.alteainsurance.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/altea-insurance/   *Disclaimer: The information contained in this podcast is not intended to represent a complete analysis of the topics presented and is provided for information purposes only. The views expressed are personal to Vic Rayner and Will Marshall and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Care Forum or Altea. The content of this podcast is not intended as legal or specific risk or insurance advice and no responsibility can be accepted for any reliance placed upon it. Independent legal, risk or insurance advice should always be obtained before applying any information to particular circumstances.

In this episode, Aislinn O'Shea, Senior Associate at Mason Hayes and Curran gives us the inside track on some of the hottest topics affecting healthcare litigation in Ireland today. She reveals how Ireland's new court practice directions are transforming medical negligence cases, potentially shaving  years off resolution times and slashing legal costs. She explores the underground aesthetic industry that is affecting patient safety and explains how upcoming home care regulations may impact the Irish care sector and potentially force smaller providers out of business.   Resources: Altea Insurance https://www.alteainsurance.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/altea-insurance/   *Disclaimer: The information contained in this podcast is not intended to represent a complete analysis of the topics presented and is provided for information purposes only. The views expressed are personal to Aislinn O'Shea and Will Marshall and do not necessarily represent the views of Mason Hayes & Curran or Altea. The content of this podcast is not intended as legal or specific risk or insurance advice and no responsibility can be accepted for any reliance placed upon it. Independent legal, risk or insurance advice should always be obtained before applying any information to particular circumstances.