Episode Two - Dr Nikki Kanani
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In the second episode of the Unprescribed podcast, hosted by Jacob Haddad, Accurx CEO, we welcome Dr Nikki Kanani, a seasoned GP, ex National Medical Director (Primary Care) for NHS England, and founding member of Aneira Health.
Nikki has over two decades of experience in the NHS, and in this episode Jacob and Nikki delve into Nikki’s inspiring career, including her pivotal role during the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, her leadership lessons, what she’s been up to at Aneira Health in improving women’s healthcare, the untapped potential in partnerships to improve healthcare delivery and her reasons to be optimistic.
Leading through the vaccine rollout
Nikki recounts her experience of being at NHS England during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the rapid transition to managing the spread of COVID-19, the demanding yet rewarding development of the vaccine programme and the importance of community engagement in overcoming vaccine hesitancy.
Leadership lessons
Nikki reflects on the challenges of leading during the pandemic, including the regrets she has around not listening to and trusting her gut on key decisions. Her leadership mantras? Clarity and compassion, as well as having courage. She also shares her experience of balancing personal and professional responsibilities during these intense times, and emphasises the importance of people and relationships in maintaining resilience as a leader.
A new health system for women’s health
Nikki discusses her decision to leave NHS England after the pandemic, feeling the need for a new challenge and way to have impact, which came in the form of Aneira Health. Aneira is a women’s health company focused on creating a new health system for women’s health and delivering women’s healthcare in a truly different way. She speaks passionately on the importance and urgency of addressing the poor experiences that women so often face in the health system, and treating them more holistically instead of in siloes.
Partner more - be brave
When asked what Nikki would focus on if she was back at the centre now - she advocates for the importance of partnerships and the need for the NHS to be more open to collaborating with the private sector, research, pharma and industry. She urges for a cultural shift for the NHS to embrace collaboration with private companies and tech organisations, speaking of the untapped potential in partnerships to improve patient care and system efficiency.
Looking ahead with optimism
At the end of the episode, Nikki shares her optimism for the future of the NHS and healthcare more widely, highlighting the appetite for conversations around better health equity and more accessible services for women and marginalised communities. She discusses the importance of remembering that we all have the ability to make a change, and the role of people and relationships in driving positive change.