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111. 111. Can AI Save the NHS? | Chief Scientific Adviser Prof. Lucy Chappell
54:29||Ep. 111Is the UK health service moving fast enough on prevention, clinical trials, and AI? In this summer special episode, James sits down with Professor Lucy Chappell — Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and CEO of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).Together, they dive deep into the future of healthcare research, how to bridge the gap between medical breakthroughs and patient delivery, the real role of AI in grant applications and trial management, and why health prevention must become everyone's responsibility.Subscribe for weekly discussions on health, policy, and reform: https://www.preventionisthenewcure.com"Prevention is the New Cure" is hosted by former health ministers Lord James Bethell and Steve Brine. We explore the big ideas, politics, and innovations shaping the future of healthcare and life sciences in the UK and globally.📩 Contact Us:Email: hello@preventionisthenewcure.comWhatsApp: 0333 404 6577Website: https://www.preventionisthenewcure.com#NHS #HealthTech #MedicalResearch #PublicHealth #ArtificialIntelligence #Policy #HealthcareInnovation
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110. 110. "I Was Told I Was Too Young": The Signs of Breast Cancer We Ignore
33:56||Ep. 110Breast cancer isn't just an older person's disease—1 in 6 diagnoses in the UK occur in women under 49. In this episode, Steve Brine sits down with Sophie Dopierala-Bull, Director of Services at the high-profile breast cancer charity CoppaFeel!.Together, they discuss the late founder Kris Hallenga's legacy, the critical warning signs young women are often told to ignore, and how AI and personalised risk-stratified screening could revolutionise cancer detection in the NHS.🔔 Subscribe to the podcast for weekly episodes on healthcare policy, prevention, and public health🔗• CoppaFeel! Official Website & Check Reminders: https://coppafeel.org• The Podcast: https://www.preventionisthenewcure.comCoppaFeel! was founded in 2009 by Kristin Hallenga after she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer at age 23. The charity exists to ensure all breast cancers in young people are diagnosed early and accurately through education, awareness, and policy advocacy.
109. 109. Burnham's First Fortnight: What Have We Learned?
56:51||Ep. 109In Episode 109 of Prevention is the New Cure, former health ministers James Bethell and Steve Brine dissect Andy Burnham’s first fortnight in office. They break down his heavy emphasis on social media communication, his plan to reframe social care as economic infrastructure, and the potential risks of cracking down on private care providers.Plus, they look at how cutting-edge life sciences and adult vaccines are reshaping chronic disease prevention, debunk common summer health myths, and share their top book recommendations for the summer break.
108. 108. UK Vaccination: A Collective Ambition
43:11||Ep. 108On today's episode, Steve Brine and James Bethell discuss new opportunities in population health with vaccines. They are joined by Lisa Sha, General Manager at Sanofi Vaccines UK and Ireland, for a conversation on the UK's approach to vaccination.Together, they discuss why innovation alone isn't enough to improve population health — and why Government, the NHS, industry and academia must work together to turn scientific ambition into real population health outcomes.Plus, we dive into the latest political shake-ups in the UK Department of Health, the Prime Minister’s recent social care announcements and discuss the value of a good run.This episode is funded by - and made in collaboration with - Sanofi.MAT-XU-2602858 | July 2026
107. 107. New Health Secretary but what next?
48:07||Ep. 107On today's episode, with James Bethell away, Steve Brine is joined by journalist and author Isabel Hardman (The Spectator) for an in-depth dive into a momentous week in British politics and health policy.Together, they break down Yvette Cooper’s surprising appointment as Health Secretary, Andy Burnham’s ambitious vision to transform social care, and why the NHS struggles with "learned helplessness" when responding to major public health scandals.Plus: a look at expanded MenB vaccine access and whether singing on prescription is actually good for your health!
106. 106. Pharmacy First - analogue idea in a digital age?
56:10||Ep. 106Is the NHS relying on analogue systems in a digital world?In Episode 106, former Health Minister Steve Brine and guest co-host Charlotte Refsum (Director of Health Policy at the Tony Blair Institute) discuss the massive gap between NHS prevention ambitions and real-world execution.From the shockingly low uptake of bowel cancer screening kits in the youngest eligible groups to the government’s brand new £10 billion digital transformation plan, they discuss whether technology can finally solve the NHS productivity crisis. Plus, they break down wearable tech for sepsis monitoring, and the future of community pharmacies.🔔 Subscribe to get fresh weekly episodes mapping the intersection of health policy, clinical practice, and politics! 📧 Sign up to our mailing list: https://www.preventionisthenewcure.com💬 Got a perspective on NHS reform? WhatsApp us at: 0333 404 6507 or email: hello@preventionisthenewcure.com
105. 105. Would we pass Trump's fitness test?
43:30||Ep. 105Is the NHS checking out of preventative care? In Episode 105 of Prevention is the New Cure, former health ministers Lord James Bethell and Steve Brine tackle the shifting landscape of public health, political incentives, and cultural habits across the UK and US.From declining NHS health checks to the radical new "marathon a month" incentive scheme, they debate whether behavioural nudges actually work—or if they just reward the already healthy. They also dive into the NHS's new TikTok strategy to combat foreign misinformation, celebrate the massive hidden success of opt-out HIV testing in A&E, and cross the pond to look at RFK Jr.’s revival of the Presidential Fitness Test under the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) agenda.Plus, find out why Lord Bethell is trading politics for the DJ booth at Airfest this week and does Puritan Steve agree with more beer at football matches?