Prevention is the new cure

The main story in health and politics this week is the gathering flu epidemic and the impact it is already having on the acute sector. Steve and James talk to Dr Adrian Boyle, immediate past President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, to get a view from the front-line.They also give their reflections on masks in public (disagree on cycle helmets!) and consider the maternity safety story also making the news this week as Baroness Amos releases her initial findings on her National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation.And finally, as it's their last episode together before the Christmas break, the pair consider their end of year awards and predictions for 2026.Thanks for listening; please follow our podcast so it appears in your feed each time a new episode drops.You can get in touch preventionisthenewcurepodcast@gmail.com and find our many social media channels via our LinkTree page.

As the increasingly bitter war of words between Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, and the British Medical Association hots up James and Steve discuss who really are the 'moaning minnies' of the NHS.They also consider the Government's new HIV Action Plan, published earlier this week and the highly significant US/UK deal on future medicines announced on Monday.The former Ministers also reflect on the initial decision from the National Screening Committee NOT to proceed with a new national screening programme for prostate cancer and agree it's soon all eyes (again) on the Secretary of State.And in other news, Steve reveals a personal detail about his already erected home Christmas tree and James explains why he's pro bongo when it comes to being a DJ.You can get in touch with your ideas and feedback via our socials Podfollow or LinkTree or email preventionisthenewcurepodcast@gmail.comThanks for listening, please remember to 'follow' our show!

The health and politics podcast moves into a new chapter as James Bethell joins the team and his first episode is a big one as he and Steve consider Budget 2025.You can get in touch podcast@stevebrine.com and find our socials via our LinkTree page.Thanks for listening!

Sarah calls it a day as she swims away into cold water retirement. The pair discuss the latest strikes by Resident Doctors and some new polling from Future Health Research on what the public think about paying more tax at next week's Budget for the NHS.And they're joined by Sonia Pombo from Action on Salt & Sugar to discuss what we can learn from the 'sugar tax' and how we can use that to reach a consensus with the food industry and government over the harmful effects of a high salt diet, and bring about a reduction in the amount of salt in processed foods.For their final 'pod surgery' together, Steve and Sarah discuss a major new AI driven project to tackle drug-resistant superbugs, how hundreds of hospice beds are sitting empty due to NHS cut-backs and why children are being hit harder but the current flu wave sweeping across the country.You can find the podcast on all our social media channels via our LinkTree page and get in touch (including with Sarah) via podcast@stevebrine.comChapter Three of this podcast - with Steve and his new co-host James Bethell - returns on Thursday November 27 2025 with a Budget reaction special.Thanks for listening and good luck to Sarah!

Sarah is away so Steve is on his own for a shortened episode which considers two key pre-Budget considerations for the NHS and welcomes a special guest to talk long-term conditions and the benefits of physical exercise.Deborah Alsina from The Richmond Group and CEO of Arthritis UK discusses why the Chief Medical Officer described physical activity as a 'miracle cure' for those battling poor health. And the pair consider how the Government's 10 Year Health Plan - and neighbourhood health ambitions - can help.And much to her surprise, Deborah steps in to join Steve for this week's Pod Surgery which considers vaping overtaking smoking for the first time and a new breath test for pancreatic cancer trial. You heard it here first!Find us and follow us on our social media channels via our LinkTree page and get in touch podcast@stevebrine.comThanks for listening!

This week Steve and Sarah are joined by Jennifer Dixon of the Health Foundation for a wide-ranging chat about the NHS Ten Year Plan, whether we really can prove there's a cost saving to preventing ill health and her recent time spent with THREE former Health Secretaries.This week's Pod Surgery considers prostate cancer diagnosis within a day using AI and hairdressers as mental health life savers celebrating the work of The Lions Barbers in Devon.Oh and on the subject, Sarah drops a bombshell with news she has a cape and a full barbers kit to (lockdown style) cut her grandchildren's hair!We love to hear from you with suggestions and ideas; find us on all our socials via our LinkTree page and/or email podcast@stevebrine.comEpisode links:Health Foundation Blog as discussedHealth Foundation letter to the Chancellor ahead of Autumn 2025 BudgetThe Lions Barbers CollectiveSkip short strolls - a longer daily walk is better for your heart says studyAnnals of Internal Medicine

Conference season continues with a special LIVE episode of the podcast from The Pharmacy Show.Held at the NEC in Birmingham, it is the UK's major gathering for the Pharmacy sector and has been for over a decade. Former Pharmacy Minister, Steve Brine, was there meeting old friends, understanding where pharmacy feels it is 18-months into a Labour Government and hosting a series of events in the Business Theatre for BeWell. One event, which we also recorded for this podcast, had Steve in conversation with the head of Community Pharmacy England, Janet Morrison.Feedback welcome; find us on our socials via our LinkTree page or email podcast@stevebrine.com

Steve Brine and Dr Sarah Wollaston discuss a wide range of stories including the drug pricing row engulfing our life sciences sector, more bad news for Ministers on NHS waiting lists, walk-in GP centres in Scotland and the Rishi Sunak / David Lammy double-act on prostate cancer.The pair also take a considered look at news, first reported in the Health Service Journal, that Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, is to launch a review of the prevalence of mental illness and neurodivergence. What lies behind it, what might it recommend and does the Prime Minister have a wider agenda?And Steve takes a moment to mention a brand new charity he is chairing - which gets it launch this evening - Winchester Cancer Sanctuary.Oh and they consider dogs and their balls; it's a long story ...Thanks for listening to our podcast; please follow the show and find us on all our social media channels via LinkTree. You can email podcast@stevebrine.com with feedback, ideas and to suggest guests. Contact on behalf of commercial guests are considered on a case-by-case basis and sponsorship opportunities are available.

This week Steve is on his own for a special LIVE episode of the podcast from The CARE Show at the NEC in Birmingham.He is joined by two guests; Dr Jan Townson from the Homecare Association and Kehan Zhou from Camascope. They discuss many of the current issues around social care, interaction with the Ten Year Plan and the sectors' vital role in keeping people well for longer. And they consider the role Reform Party politicians are already playing in local government commissioning care services.The Care ShowHomecare AssociationCamascopeYou can find and follow our podcast on all our socials via our LinkTree page and get in touch podcast@stevebrine.comPlease follow our show via your podcast platform of choice and thanks for listening!