Confidence To Thrive - a podcast for ambitious healthcare practitioners and entrepreneurs

Confidence to Thrive is a podcast built for practitioners and healthcare entrepreneurs who are doing something that matters - building innovative practices in functional medicine, aesthetics, integrative healthcare and mental health, while navigating the regulatory complexity that comes with it.

Confidence To Thrive - a podcast for ambitious healthcare practitioners and entrepreneurs is a business podcast hosted by Christopher Cloke Browne, with 21 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Christopher Cloke Browne hosts Confidence To Thrive - a podcast for ambitious healthcare practitioners and entrepreneurs, a business show with 21 episodes published.

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  Episode #21

  Episode 21 - From plastic surgery to pioneering private practice (part 1) with Adrian Richards, medical director at iQonic Aesthetics

  Aug 19, 202621 minS1

  Episode 21 - From plastic surgery to pioneering private practice (part 1) with Adrian Richards, medical director at iQonic Aesthetics In this episode of Confidence to Thrive, Christopher Cloke Browne and Roger Houston, directors at Owlicity speak with Adrian Richards, a highly respected plastic and cosmetic surgeon and medical director at iQonic Aesthetics. Adrian shares his career path from UK plastic surgery training and NHS consultant work to pioneering private practice and building multiple businesses across training, non-surgical aesthetics and surgery. He explains how his exposure to international practice highlighted gaps in UK training for treatments like botulinum toxin and fillers, leading to the creation of Cosmetic Courses and broader work with regulation and standards. Adrian describes launching the Aurora group practice, merging with The Private Clinic in 2016, and later helping establish iQonic, a surgeon-led clinic focused on quality, handpicked teams and advanced breast surgery. The discussion highlights the business learning curve for clinicians, the importance of structure and team-building, and key risk issues for growth and saleability, including insurance, documentation, informed consent, and being “data room ready” for due diligence. Episode timestamps 01:29 Adrian’s career origins and training 03:40 The importance of artistry in plastic surgery 04:49 Leaving NHS and teaching aesthetics 06:43 Growing Aurora clinic and early lessons 08:38 Launching iQonic and attracting top surgeons 11:06 Business growth advice and due diligence 13:49 Building the Dream Team 17:21 NHS vs private and risk management Follow Adrian and iQonic Aesthetics iQonic profile - https://www.iqonicaesthetics.com/doctors/mr-adrian-richards LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-richards-50638411 Real Self - https://www.realself.com/dr/adrian-richards-london-united-kingdom iQonic website - https://www.iqonicaesthetics.com Who are Owlicity? This podcast was brought to you by Owlicity Insurance Advisors who support your business ambitions. Owlicity advises practitioners, owners, and entrepreneurs of healthcare practises on mitigating risks so your business can thrive. Learn more about how Owlicity can support here: Owlicity.co.uk Call us on 0203 988 8090 Follow us on social media LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

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  Episode #20

  Episode 20 - CQC or not CQC? Answering the question of registration with Dionne Simons, Designated Medical

  Aug 12, 202627 minS1

  Do You Need CQC Registration? Guidance for Functional and Private Practice Clinicians In this episode of Confidence to Thrive, Owlicity director Christopher Cloke-Brown speaks with Dionne Simons, head of operations at Designated Medical, on the question of when functional medicine practitioners need CQC registration and why the issue goes beyond whether you prescribe. Dionne explains that many “exemptions” only apply when you are clearly working under another provider’s CQC registration with defined practising privileges, governance, and contractual terms, and that simply renting a room in a CQC-registered clinic does not usually provide cover, including for digital consultations. She warns that assessing, diagnosing, monitoring, interpreting tests, or creating personalised protocols for disease and disorder (e.g., Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions, chronic fatigue, hormone disorders, cancer) can constitute regulated activity. The discussion covers current CQC application timelines, common form rejections, interview expectations, the need for governance documents upfront, and enforcement risks including closure, prosecution, fines, reputational damage, and possible GMC notification. Episode time stamps 01:29 Introducing Dionne Simons 03:13 Why CQC guidance feels grey 04:12 Exemptions explained 06:22 The potential pitfall of virtual care 06:57 Why prescribing is not the test 09:35 Lifestyle vs treating disease 12:36 The CQC process and timelines 14:21 What to expect during application and interview process 16:56 The value of investing in ongoing compliance 17:42 The cost of enforcement and risk to reputation 23:18 The reality of the NHS to private practice shift Follow Dionne Simons and Designated Medical Dionne Simons - https://designatedmedical.com/team/dionne-simons Designated Medical - https://designatedmedical.com Who are Owlicity? This podcast was brought to you by Owlicity Insurance Advisors who support your business ambitions. Owlicity advises practitioners, owners, and entrepreneurs of healthcare practises on mitigating risks so your business can thrive. Learn more about how Owlicity can support here: Owlicity.co.uk Call us on 0203 988 8090 Follow us on social media LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

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  Episode #19

  Episode 19 - Navigating the NHS-Private interface - how to avoid complaints and claims when growing a functional medicine healthcare business

  Aug 5, 202632 minS1

  Navigating the NHS-Private interface - how to avoid complaints and consent issues when growing a functional medicine healthcare business In this episode of Confidence to Thrive, Owlicity directors Christopher Cloke Browne and Roger Houston discuss a case involving a functional medicine GP facing an NHS England complaint after suggesting an NHS patient see the same doctor privately due to waiting times. The complaint raised focused on concerns about breaching GP contractual rules and potential allegations of treatment for financial gain if escalated to the GMC. During the discussion, Christopher and Roger explain how NHS contracts restrict offering private services that could be provided under the NHS, and that referring “practice patients” internally into a colleague’s private service is generally a no-go. They also discuss similar risks in selling supplements and in NHS dentistry, including complaints from overseas clinicians unfamiliar with what the NHS covers and billing expectations. Christopher and Roger detail practical advice focusing on avoiding blurred NHS/private boundaries, using clear options-and-pricing “menu” style informed consent, and setting expectations about costs, diagnostic work, and uncertain outcomes. Episode time stamps 00:56 Overview of the NHS England complaint 03:49 What happened in practice 04:32 Understanding NHS contract referral rules 07:18 GMC risk and profit motive 07:50 A supplements case 09:31 The dentistry NHS-to-private challenge 12:39 Informed consent and offering a pricing menu 15:30 Keep NHS and private separate 20:39 Changing patient cohorts and costs 24:12 Functional medicine depth and testing 28:26 Challenging health misinformation Who are Owlicity? This podcast was brought to you by Owlicity Insurance Advisors who support your business ambitions. Owlicity advises practitioners, owners, and entrepreneurs of healthcare practises on mitigating risks so your business can thrive. Learn more about how Owlicity can support here: Owlicity.co.uk Call us on 0203 988 8090 Follow us on social media LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

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  Episode #18

  Episode 18 - Functional medicine marketing - regulation, claims and managing patient expectations

  Jul 29, 202629 minS1

  Functional medicine marketing - regulation, claims and managing patient expectations In this episode of Confidence to Thrive, Owlicity directors Christopher Cloke Browne and Roger Houston discuss the regulatory and practical risks of marketing and promoting a functional medicine practice. They explain the high duty on clinicians under GMC-style guidance, the need to avoid “miracle cure” messaging, and the importance of clear informed consent that sets realistic expectations, declares the non-mainstream nature of functional medicine, and evidences any claims. Much of the complaints work they see is driven by miscommunication about private costs - especially extensive testing that patients assume is available free on the NHS - so they recommend documenting a clear plan alongside a cost schedule and contingency for further investigations. They also caution against over-reliance on testimonials and case studies, emphasising careful patient screening and promoting the process rather than guaranteed outcomes. Episode time stamps 00:51 Regulating and marketing guidelines 03:37 Promises and handling disputes 04:13 Explaining the costs of testing 08:56 The cultural difference between NHS and private 10:43 How the media hype expectations 13:32 Filtering the right patients 15:22 Safe marketing examples 17:51 Testimonials without cure 21:13 Science and titles divide 24:45 Cost schedules and refunds 27:14 Successful practice playbook Who are Owlicity? This podcast was brought to you by Owlicity Insurance Advisors who support your business ambitions. Owlicity advises practitioners, owners, and entrepreneurs of healthcare practises on mitigating risks so your business can thrive. Learn more about how Owlicity can support here: Owlicity.co.uk Call us on 0203 988 8090 Follow us on social media LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

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  Episode #17

  Episode 17 - Regenerative aesthetics, longevity and healing - an interview with Dr Angela Musso, The Healing Place Global

  Jul 22, 202623 minS1

  Regenerative aesthetics, longevity and healing - an interview with Dr Angela Musso, The Healing Place Global In this episode of Confidence to Thrive, Christopher Cloke Browne, director at Owlicity speaks with Dr Angela Musso who shares her journey from 25 years as an GP, working in prisons and with police as a sexual offence examiner, and spending time in New Zealand and Australia - to running a boutique regenerative medicine clinic focused on regenerative aesthetics and longevity. She explains why she returned to the UK due to concerns about healthcare access and integrity, and describes whistleblowing, legal battles, chronic stress and burnout shaping her focus on root-cause medicine. Dr Musso discusses moving away from Botox and fillers toward regenerative approaches using patients’ own plasma, and emphasises gut health, trauma, chronic stress and mind-body practices such as meditation. She highlights challenges in mainstream acceptance, growing awareness and collaborating with other trusted practitioners. Episode time stamps 00:49 Dr Musso’s GP journey 01:05 Lessons in skin health 03:04 Integrity and whistleblowing 03:58 Burnout to root causes 05:15 Mission for longevity 07:34 The shift to regenerative aesthetics 08:04 The trauma gut link 09:41 Dealing with mainstream skepticism 12:56 Breaking generational cycles of trauma 13:37 Getting the word out 16:59 Meditation and self healing Follow Dr Angela Musso The Healing Place Global - https://thehealingplaceuk.com LinkedIn - Dr Angela Musso - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drangelamusso Instagram - The Healing Place - https://www.instagram.com/_the.healing.place_/ Who are Owlicity? This podcast was brought to you by Owlicity Insurance Advisors who support your business ambitions. Owlicity advises practitioners, owners, and entrepreneurs of healthcare practises on mitigating risks so your business can thrive. Learn more about how Owlicity can support here: Owlicity.co.uk Call us on 0203 988 8090 Follow us on social media LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

  ListenShow Notes

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