Two Paeds In A Pod
Two Paeds in a Pod is a clinical paediatrics podcast that explores the decisions, dilemmas, and systems shaping everyday practice. Though rooted in paediatric emergency medicine, the show covers a wide range of paediatric topics, from acute presentations and diagnostic uncertainty to service design and professional development. Each episode features structured discussion of real-world clinical questions, case-based reflection, and a look at recent research and whether it should influence frontline care. Aimed at paediatric consultants, trainees, advanced practitioners, and clinicians, it offers thoughtful, evidence-aware conversation grounded in the realities of modern practice. This content is for medical education only and should not replace professional medical advice.
Episodes
Episode 88: The RSV Jab Proves Itself
2 PAEDS IN A PODEpisode 88 | The RSV Jab Proves ItselfReleased: 19th July 2026 | Runtime: ~20 minutes━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━EPISODE SUMMARYThis episode leads with the first national effectiveness data on the UK's maternal RSV vaccination programme — a thirty-seven-hospital study finding that vaccination in pregnancy cut RSV hospital admissions by 61% to six months of age and 76% t
Episode 87: Second Thoughts on Sugar Gel.
2 PAEDS IN A PODEpisode 87 | Second Thoughts on Sugar GelReleased: 5th July 2026 | Runtime: ~20 minutes━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━EPISODE SUMMARYThis episode opens with the school-age follow-up of the hPOD trial, which found that a single prophylactic dose of dextrose gel given to at-risk newborns made no difference to neurocognitive function at six to seven years and was linked to sl
Episode 86: Mental Health Crisis on the Wards
EPISODE SUMMARYThis episode leads on a problem every acute paediatric unit now lives with: the child in mental health crisis admitted to a general children's ward while waiting for specialist care. A new UK consensus study sets out sixteen practical, risk-stratified strategies that a non-specialist team can use to keep these young people safer. The second story turns to the forearm fracture, with
Episode 85: The Trouble With Boluses
2 PAEDS IN A POD Episode 85 | The Trouble With BolusesReleased: 07/06/2026 | Runtime: ~20 minutesEPISODE SUMMARYThis episode leads on fluid in childhood sepsis. A new multicentre cohort from Australia and New Zealand found that mortality rose with the volume of bolus fluid given in the first day, but not with the total volume of fluid — a finding set alongside the recently published PRoMPT BOLUS t
Episode 84: The Febrile Infant Lottery
2 PAEDS IN A POD Episode 84 | The Febrile Infant Lottery Released: 24/5/2026 | Runtime: ~20 minutes━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ EPISODE SUMMARY ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━This episode opens with a large London study showing that the care a febrile young infant receives depends heavily on which hospital they attend, with full adherence to national guidance achieved in only one in f
Episode 83: Knife Crime, Febrile Infants, and What's Caught My Eye
2 Paeds in a PodShow Notes — Episode 83Knife Crime, Febrile Infants, and What's Caught My EyeReleased: May 2026 | Runtime: ~20 minutesIn this episode, Ian covers what's caught his eye in the paediatric literature this fortnight. The main story looks at a landmark national review of child deaths from knife wounds in England — and what it means for those of us working in paediatric emergency and urg
IV Aminophylline in Acute Severe Asthma: Does It Still Have a Role in Paediatric Emergency Care?
Clinical QuestionIn children presenting with acute severe asthma, does intravenous aminophylline improve meaningful clinical outcomes compared to standard therapy?⸻BackgroundIV aminophylline has historically been used as a second-line infusion in severe paediatric asthma. However, contemporary escalation strategies increasingly prioritise: • Oxygen • High-dose nebulised salbutamol • Systemic corti
Episode 82: The FIDO study
In this episode we talk to Dr Etimbuk Umana, the lead author of the FIDO study looking at the management of febrile infants in the Emergency Department. FIDO is a PERUKI sponsored study and was recently published in The Lancet: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(24)00540-6/fulltext
Episode 81: Priority Setting in PEM research with PERUKI
2 Paeds returns with a fresh new look, new in association with team at PERUKI.
In our first collaboration we talk to Dr Charlotte Sloane about the current major PERUKI project - establishing the current research priorities for the next 5 years in paediatric emergency medicine.
If you want to get involved go to www.peruki.org.uk or email Charlotte at csloane04@qub.ac.uk
You can also watch us on Y
Episode 80: Dexmedetomidine for paediatric sedation
We talk to Dr Tom Jackson about his article in Archives of Disease in Childhood looking at the use of Dexmedetomidine as a sedative agent fro children undergoing MRI scans in a district general hospital. Is it better the NICE recommended medications? Article can be found here: https://adc.bmj.com/content/early/2022/03/10/archdischild-2021-322734
Episode 79: Infant Milks and Formulae
There are so many infant milks and formulae available that it can be confusing to healthcare professionals, let alone parents. Where did they come from, what do they contain and what about specialist prescription-only formulae. Host Dr Ashley Reece takes a deep dive into all these issues with our special guest Bahee Van de Bor - dietician and spokesperson of the British Dietetic Association. You c
Episode 78: Climate Change and paediatrics
We are all busy professionals with lots to do in a very limited amount of time, so why should we be concerned about climate change? That's nothing to do with paediatricians surely? Dr Katie Knight explains why its everything to do with paediatricians and the number one public health emergency for our patients not just tomorrow but today.
Episode 77: Magnesium And Migraine
We are joined by Dr Lucie Etheridge and Julia Avery to discuss their recent article in the October 2021 edition of 'Archives of Disease in Childhood' looking at whether magnesium supplementation is helpful in adolescents with migraine.
Episode 76: Advanced Neonatal Practice
We are really proud to introduce another episode from our Advanced Practitioner team, this time from the ANNPs. Rhian Smith, Becky Joyce and Dr Vicky Payne discuss the past, present and future of Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioners in the UK.
Episode 75: Concussion and screen time
In this week's pod we chat to Dr Katie McKinnon about the value of limiting screen time in children with concussion. Dr McKinnon is the lead author of an article in this July's edition of ADC that looked at whether the advice we often give about limiting screen time in concussion has any basis in evidence.
Episode 74: Paediatric Dentistry
In this week's episode we talk to Jessica Talbot and Lucy Brown who are both specialist registrars in paediatric dentistry. What should you do about an avulsed tooth, is tooth decay as big a problem in the UK as we think it is, and how can dentistry help in child protection? I also learn why you should never rinse after brushing...
Episode 73: Civility, rudeness and unprofessional behaviour
All paediatricians are lovely cuddly people, right? Well sadly the data suggests rudeness, incivility and unprofessional behaviour remain prevalent in the health workplace. In this episode Dr Ashley Reece, Consultant Paediatrician from West Hertfordshire Hospital, talks to Dr Anna Baverstock, Consultant Paediatrician from Musgrove Park Hospital in Somerset, about when rudeness can occur in our wor
Episode 72: The Advanced Practitioner in the Children's Emergency Department
In the third in our series of ACP podcast specials, Emma Hudson, Chris White and Laura Lee, Advanced Practitioners in Derby, Nottingham and Norfolk and Norwich Children's Emergency Departments discuss their roles and the unique set of skills that ACPs bring to the ED.
Episode 71: Medicines, Prescribing and Paediatrics
Prescribing for children and young people can be one fo the most challenging aspects for healthcare professionals new to paediatrics. In this episode Ashey Reece, Consultant paediatrician at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, and Sumiah Al-Azeib, Lead Pharmacist for Women and Children's services at Medway Hospital Kent, take a deep dive into medicines for children and their top prescribing ti
Episode 70: Dr Camilla Kingdon - RCPCH President Elect
Back in January we were delighted to chat with Dr Camilla Kingdon, the RCPCH President Elect to discuss her vision for the future of the College and plans for when she becomes President in May
Episode 69: Safety netting in the ED
Safety netting is a crucial component of care within the Emergency Department but often there is very little teaching on how to do it well. In this week's episode Chris White, an Advanced Clinical Practitioner from Nottingham talks to Dr Edward Snelson, a PEM Consultant from Sheffield, about why that might be the case and how we can all improve our safety-netting skills.
Episode 68: Are podcasts of any value in medical education?
We are getting a bit meta this week as we take a look at podcasts themselves. Nice to listen to, but are they of any educational value? Two new voices discuss this as we introduce Dr Adriel Chen - a Foundation Doctor with an interest in Paediatrics, and Dr Ashley Reece - Consultant Paediatrician, medical educator and RCPCH Officer for Assessment.
Episode 67: Food Poverty
In the UK, the coronavirus pandemic has shone a light on many aspects of health inequalities. None more so than the issue of food poverty and its effects on child health. In this episode we talk to Dr Ian Sinha, Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine at Alder Hay Hospital, about what we mean by food poverty and what paediatricians can do about it.
Episode 66: The path to becoming an Advanced Practitioner.
In the second of our special ACP podcasts, Liz Jemmett, a Paediatric ACP from Salford, and guests talk us through the pathway to becoming an Advanced Practitioner. Essential listening for anyone thinking about the role, as well as some top tips for the old hands!
Episode 65: New Variant Covid-19
In our first podcast of 2021, Drs Damian Roland and Ally Monroe discuss New Variant COVID-19. What does this mean and what are the implications for paediatrics?
Episode 64: Kawasaki Disease
In our final podcast of 2020 we cover a topic much loved by never quite completely understood by many of us, Kawasaki Disease. We talk to Professor Robert Tulloh, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist from Bristol who brilliantly and simply explains everything you could want to know about this condition and the man after whom it is named.
Episode 63: Special Guest Podcast - COVID Vaccines
We are delighted to host this very timely guest podcast as Drs Damian Roland and Ally Monroe discuss the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines.
Episode 62: Injuries During Lockdown
Kids. They're always finding novel ways of injuring themselves, so what did they get up to during the first UK lockdown? We spoke to paediatric orthopaedic surgeon Mr Pranai Buddhdev about what he and his team found out and subsequently published.
Link to study here: https://bit.ly/3qkKK2i
Episode 61: Results of the Petechiae in Children study
In episode 28 we spoke to Dr Tom Waterfield about the forthcoming Petechiae in Children study - well in this episode we are delighted to welcome Tom back to talk about the results, recently published in The Lancet.
Which clinical practice guideline performs the best at detecting a child with meningococcal disease in the febrile child presenting with a non-bleaching rash.
Link to the study here:
Episode 60: An Introduction to Advanced Practice
Monday marks the start of Advanced Practice Week here in the UK. To celebrate we are delighted to release a first podcast by our new ACP team as Rhian Smith, Katie Barnes and Laura Lee discuss what it means to be an Advanced Practitioner and how the role has evolved.
Episode 59: The Three Muskapeers
Originally recorded for Dont Forget The Bubbles, Damian Roland, Ally Munro and Ian Lewins - The Three Muskapeers - have a chat about the current literature around COVID and other current issues in paediatrics.
Episode 58: Overdiagnosis and industry influence in paediatrics.
Accepting the odd sandwich form a drug rep is fine, right? Well maybe not as we talk to Dr Chris van Tulleken (yes he of the brilliant Operation Ouch!) about the influence of the pharmaceutical industry in paediatrics.
This podcast was originally recorded and broadcast in September 2019 for Dont Forget the Bubbles
Episode 57: Do You Want To Build A Podcast?
A bit of a different episode this week. Something I have been asked several times is "How did you go about creating and publishing your podcast?" so in this episode I try and explain. What kit you will need, how to go about recording and some top tips to learn from my mistakes.
Episode 56: Adverse events following Paeds ED attendance.
We all want a positive outcome for any child attending our ED but recognise that doesn't always happen. But how often to adverse events happen, how serious are they and what can we do to prevent them? In this podcast we talk to Dr Amy Plint from the Children's Hospital of Eastern Otario in Canada who has recently published a study looking at exactly these questions in the BMJ Quality and Safety Jo
Episode 55: Does this child need a CT head?
Lots of kids have minor head injuries. Lots of kids vomit. Lots of kids vomit after head injury but do they really need a CT brain? Dr Helen Newsome, Clinical Fellow in PEM in Sheffield, wondered the same question and so tried to find the answer. She published her findings in the Archives of Disease in Childhood in December 2019 and we chat to her about this paper.
Link to the article here: https
Episode 54: COVID vaccines, facemasks and Primary Care with Dr Ellie
In this very special episode of the podcast, we are delighted to welcome GP, columnist and broadcaster Dr Ellie Cannon on to chat about working as a GP during the COVID-19 pandemic, why she been an advocate for wearing face coverings, and her involvement in ongoing coronavirus vaccine studies.
Episode 53: The Limping Child
We talk to Dr Jon Adamson, Consultant in PEM in Birmingham, about his recent paper "The Fifteen Minute Consultation: The Limping Child" published in the June 2020 Edition of ADC Education and Practice.
What should we look for in the atraumatic limping child? When should we investigate and what do we really not want to miss?
Episode 52: Late paediatric presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic
We return after lockdown as we speak to Dr Simon Clark - the Vice President for Policy at the RCPCH - to discuss the College's response to the question that has arisen during the pandemic; "Where have all the sick kids gone?!?"
Episode 51: Coronavirus and children
In this special podcast edition we talk to Paediatric Infectious Diseases clinical research fellow Dr Alasdair Munro about what we know so far about COVID-19 and children.
This talk is based on the blog Alasdair wrote along with Dr Alison Boast for 'Don't Forget The Bubbles' which can be found here:
https://bit.ly/2vibXee
Episode 50: The effect of Consultant residence on paediatric admissions
In our 50th episode we return to discussing some original research published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood as we speak to lead author Dr Robert Scott-Jupp. Does having resident paediatric consultants reduce the number and 'quality' of acute admissions? And is it financially worth it?
The original paper can be found here: https://bit.ly/38YQrdb
Episode 49: Hypoglycaemia- A Primer
In this episode we talk to Dr Rachel Smith, a Paediatric Registrar based in the East Midlands about hypoglycaemia outside of the neonatal period. What is it, why does it matter and how do we investigate it? This episode is aimed at those starting in paediatrics and especially paramedics and pre-hospital crews.
Episode 48: How to use clinical signs of meningitis
In our first podcast produced in conjunction with the Archives of Disease in Childhood Education and Practice Edition, we talk to Dr Tom Waterfield about his co-authored paper on how to use the clinical signs of meningitis in children. The paper is the Editor's Choice article in the February 2020 edition of ADC Education and Practice and can be found here: https://ep.bmj.com/content/105/1/46
Episode 47: The Future of Paediatrics in the UK
Predicting the future in healthcare is notoriously tricky but something that the RCPCH are attempting to do in their ambitious 'Paediatrics 2040' project. In this podcast we speak to two of the project board members, Dr Hannah Jacob - chair of the RCPCH Trainees committee - and Professor Russell Viner - President of the RCPCH - about what the project involves and how it will impact on RCPCH member
Episode 46: Balint Groups
Never heard of Balint Groups? No, us neither until we saw a Tweet about them from today's guest Dr Nick Schindler who explains what they are (and aren't) and how they can help you, your colleagues and your department to thrive.
Episode 45: Vaccine hesitancy and the Pro-Vac movement
In this week's episode we talk to Dr Shilpa Shah and Dr Aimee Henry, both paediatricians based in Northern Ireland, about vaccine hesitancy and a project they have developed called the 'Pro-Vac Movement' to promote positive discussions about childhood immunisations.
Episode 44: How to pass the RCPCH Written Exams
Thinking about applying for the RCPCH written exams? You cant afford to miss this week's podcast as we speak to Dr Will Carroll - Assistant Officer for the written exams and co-author of the 'Sunflower' book, and get his top tips for passing first time!
Episode 43: Bronchiolitis
As Winter draws in we have a timely discussion with Dr Ian Wacogne, Consultant Paediatrician from Birmingham and editor of the Education and Practice edition of Archives of Disease in Childhood, about bronchiolitis. In particular we discuss the introduction of a care bundle aimed at ensuring all team members are undertaking, and more importantly NOT undertaking, the same interventions in a conditi
Episode 42: Shape Of Training
We spoke to Dr David Evans the Vice President (Training and Assessment) at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health about how the forthcoming Shape of Training project will be implemented in the UK and how it will affect trainees and trainers. Essential listening fro anyone involved in paediatric training in the UK!
Episode 41: Live! at Human Factors in Paediatrics 2019 Conference
Recorded live at the Human Factors in Paediatrics 2019 Conference in Lancaster - join host Ian Lewins as he talks to a panel of Dr Hilary Jones, Dr Shrouk Messahel, Dr Ian Sinha and Dr Umal Ghori about human factors they see in their daily practice and how we can improve healthcare for children.
Episode 40: Rheumatology
We return to clinical topics this week as we discuss with Dr Richard Bowker how to approach the child with atraumatic joint pain presenting to the Emergency Department. What should we look for in the history and examination, what tests should we do and how should we start management of these patients?
Episode 39: Baby Loss Awareness Week
In this special podcast episode to mark the end of Baby Loss Awareness week in the UK, we talk to Bereavement Specialist Midwife, Angela Thompson, about her role and why Baby Loss Awareness Week is so important for many parents and families.
Episode 38: CPAP on the neonatal unit
We return to the world of neonates this week as we talk to Neonatal Nurse Educators Shaun Edwards and Kellie Fraser on the why, when and how of using Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP) in neonates.
Episode 37: Ibuprofen and Chickenpox
I've always liked Bob Rogers' description of Facebook as "an educational cul-de-sac." So when horrific descriptions of what happens when you give a child with chickenpox a dose of ibuprofen emerged on the site they surely couldn't be true, could they?
Let Dr Alasdair Munro guide you through fact and fiction and hopefully provide a little bit of evidence along the way.
Episode 36: MeFirst
We talk to Jessie McCulloch, Lead Practice Educator at the MeFirst project, about the challenges and the MeFirst approach to communicating with Children and Young People.
Episode 35: The FORCE study
We had the pleasure of speaking with Mr Dan Perry, NIHR Clinical Scientist and Children's Orthopaedic Surgeon, about the Forearm Fracture Recovery in Children Evaluation (FORCE) study, and its importance as the first truly online trial.
Episode 34: Reducing knife crime
This week we spoke to the amazing Ana Waddington, Senior Sister in the Paediatric Emergency Department in the Royal London Hospital, about her work trying to reduce knife crime through basic life support teaching to young offenders in prison.
If you want to get involved or know more about this inspiring project, you can contact Ana on Twitter - @alwaddington - or visit the Catch22 website: www.
Episode 33: Antibiotic Myth Busting
We talk to Dr Alasdair Munro, Clinical Research Fellow in Paediatric Infectious Diseases, and attempt to bust some myths about antibiotic prescribing in children.
If you only listen to one podcast about antibiotics in children - make it this one!
Episode 32: Diabetes in children
We talk to Dr Julie Smith, Consultant Paediatrician, about the recognition, investigation and management of the child presenting to ED or primary care with symptoms suggestive of diabetes. We also discuss insulin regimes, carbohydrate counting and insulin pumps.
Episode 31: Lung Function Testing
In this week's podcast we talk Dr Will Carroll, Consultant in Paediatric respiratory medicine about lung function testing. Who needs it, where should we do it, what test do they need, and what do all those funny loops *actually* mean.
Episode 30: Baby Checks
For those coming into paediatrics the newborn baby check can seem a daunting prospect. To help, we undertook a masterclass in NIPE checks with Neonatal Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Jane Lewins, who gave us the top-to-toe lowdown.
Episode 29: Paediatrics 2040
We talk to Dr Hannah Jacob about her work as Chair of the RCPCH Trainees Committee and how all paediatricians in training can and should get involved. We also discuss the future of Paediatrics in the UK with the Royal College's 'Paediatrics 2040' Project.
Episode 28: Petechiae In Children Study
We talk to Dr Tom Waterfield, PEM doctor and researcher from Queen's University, Belfast about the Petechiae In Children Study. We discuss the purpose and need for this study and Tom reveals how he's got some many recruits for it already. A must listen for anyone interested in research.
Episode 27: Rainbow NHS Badges
We talk again to Dr Mike Farquhar, this time about the Rainbow NHS Badges Project, discussing how the project came about, how organisations can get involved and why it is so important.
Episode 26: Triaging and treating children with Down's Syndrome
In the first episode of Season 2, we talk to EM/PEM Consultant Dr Elizabeth Herriven about the brilliant infographic she produced of 10 top tips for triaging and treating children with Down's Syndrome, and discuss her experiences with her daughter, Amy.
Episode 25: LEGO ingestion and DFTB
In our Season 1 finale we talk to Don't Forget The Bubbles co-creator, Dr Andy Tagg, about this year's most talked-about paediatric paper - just how long does it take for a plastic LEGO head to pass through an adult??
Read the full paper here: https://rdcu.be/bc3K7
Episode 24: Allergy and anaphylaxis
It's everything allergy this week as we talk to Dr Donna Traves who talks us through the history and examination findings of children with possible allergies, and what we should and shouldn't do when treating them.
Episode 23: Cystic Fibrosis
We talk again to Paediatric Respiratory Consultant Dr Nigel Ruggins about his clinical passion - Cystic Fibrosis. In this podcast we cover the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of CF and Nigel discusses the changes he's witnessed throughout his career.
Episode 22: Congenital cardiac disease
In the season of bronchiolitis, its important to remember that not every baby presenting to ED with breathlessness has bronchiolitis. Just occasionally the baby has a cardiac problem. Ian Lewins talks to Dr Gitika Joshi about an approach to the history, investigation and ED management of these babies.
Episode 21: PREDICT and the management of bronchiolitis in ED
Ian Lewins talks to Dr Tessa Davis, consultant in PEM at Royal London Hospital about all things bronchiolitis. They review the recent paper published by the Australasian group PREDICT looking at recommendations for the investigation and management of infants with bronchiolitis presenting to the ED.
Episode 20: Hammer It Out
Ian Lewins talks to the inspirational Simon Fleming (@OrthopodReg)about the #HammerItOut campaign and the importance of civility in healthcare.
Episode 19: Child Protection - Neglect
Plants might thrive on neglect but children certainly don't. In this episode Dr Julie Mott talks to Ian Lewins about how to spot features of neglect in paediatric patients and what to do next.
Episode 18: Sleep medicine
We talk to Dr Mike Farquhar, Consultant in Paediatric Sleep Medicine, about the importance of sleep for shift workers and learn his top tips for getting a good night (or day's) rest.
This podcast could quite literally help you live longer!
Episode 17: PERUKI and Paediatric research
A man who knows nothing about research talks to another who knows a lot, when Ian Lewins cold calls the current Chair of PERUKI, Dr Damian Roland and comes away feeling enthused about research in PEM. He also discovers PERUKI is not a type of Pokemon.
Episode 16: Therapeutic options in paediatric asthma
Last week we attempted to make a diagnosis in the wheezy child. This week, Ian Lewins talks again to Dr Nigel Ruggins about the therapeutic options for the child with asthma, and discuss what their favourite colour of inhaler is.
Episode 15: Wheeze in children
Bronchiolitis? Viral-induced wheeze? Asthma? Other?
Ian Lewins has a jolly old wheeze chatting to paediatric respiratory consultant Dr Nigel Ruggins about the differences between, and the approach to diagnosing, the child presenting with wheeze.
Episode 14: HEADSS assessment tool
Dr Ian Lewins talks to Dr Vanessa Cox, Consultant in Adolescent Medicine about improving skills in talking with young people using the HEADSS framework.
Episode 13: Homelessness and the ED
In a change from our normal podcasts, Ian Lewins speaks to FY1 doctor, Susan Rutherford about her work setting up the Leamington Spa Night Shelter and the particular medical problems faced by the homeless.
Episode 12: Management of ingested Button batteries
Dr Sarah Simons talks to Dr Ian Lewins about foreign body ingestion in children - when to reassure, when to be worried, and when to really be worried.
Episode 11:Major Incident Planning
Ian Lewins talks to the current Association of Paediatric Emergency Medicine (APEM) Chair and MAJAX guru,Dr Julia Surridge, about Major Incident training.
Episode 10: Stridor and Croup in children
Dr Sarah Simons and Dr Ian Lewins make a series of silly noises as they discuss stridor and croup, and manage not to fall out over the dosage of dexamethasone.
