Prevention is the New Cure

Our first long form interview is with Richard Meddings as he steps down from being Chair of NHS England. In his first broadcast interview since leaving the role he talks candidly about how he got the job, the organisation's abolition and the risks of the top-down reorganisation that will follow. He also gives his advice to Wes Streeting, and the Ten Year Plan to come, gives a "punchy" response to last week's Nuffield Trust Social Attitudes Survey and reveals his vision what the UK should do next in health policy. Oh and he tells us what three old guys are going to do next - on a bike! Feedback (and messages for Richard) welcome via podcast@stevebrine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, Steve and Sarah reflect on the abolition of NHS England and 50% cuts to Integrated Care Boards. They are joined by Phil Gowland from Whitworths to discuss healthy eating, how the food industry can be part of the solution - and Steve's bad snacking habits. Pod surgery considers Dad bods and trouble brewing for the Assisted Dying Bill. This episode is supported by Whitworths. www.whitworths.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah is back from her Indian adventure and the pair are joined by Richard Angell from the Terrence Higgins Trust (all the way from San Fran) to talk all things HIV including the impact of US Aid cuts. They also discuss changes at NHS England, giving blood and slushies! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week sees Rare Diseases Day 2025 and to mark the moment, Steve and James speak with SMA UK boss Giles Lomax about spinal muscular atrophy and how we have the power to save lives. The pair also consider what is happening with the Government's Ten Year Plan, a worrying new piece of research from CRUK and look ahead to the NHS Winter crisis of 2026 - discuss! You can get in touch with the team via podcast@stevebrine.com or find us on our social media channels.Note: Steve has worked in an advisory role with organisations who have an interest in both SMA and newborn screening, but the opinions expressed in this podcast which he presents are his own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, Steve and Sarah are joined by respected neurologist, Dr Paul Jarman, from UCLH to talk about the prevention of dementia. In a thought provoking discussion, the pair discuss risk factors, lifestyle and of course the new drugs which promise a whole new chapter in the fight against Alzheimer's disease in particular. And Steve raises the thorny issue of mushrooms! Also covered this week; breast cancer and AI, a new health Minister and what is going on at NHSE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging discussion, Professor Sir Simon Wessely, a leading psychiatrist and former Royal College of Psychiatrists president, dives deep into the complexities of the new Mental Health Bill. He emphasizes the urgent need for systemic reform and early intervention in mental health care. The conversation touches upon significant concerns, like excluding learning disabilities from protections and the balance between community safety and individual rights. Light moments include comparing puppies, adding a delightful twist to the serious dialogue.

Steve's Conservative / Lib-Dem coalition colleague, Norman Lamb, co-hosts the first episode of 2025. The pair talk NHS winter crisis, social care 'reform, drug consumption rooms and 'sickness to prevention'. Email podcast@stevebrine.com or find us on social media for feedback and suggestions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The original line-up returns as Dr Helen Stokes-Lampard joins Steve Brine for a Christmas special. We hear what Helen did next, talk cricket (!), healthcare in New Zealand and look back at 2024 in UK health and politics. And pod-surgery is back discussing caesarean births and soaring alcohol deaths. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Sarah Wollaston is a former MP and Chair of the Commons Health Select Committee. She joins Steve to discuss the fallout from MPs voting for the assisted dying / assisted suicide Bill last week, Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) and it's a packed pod surgery. We also find out what wearable health vanity tech is on Steve's Christmas list. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve's former Select Committee colleague, Labour MP Rachael Maskell, joins as co-host for this special episode which takes a deep dive into the most sensitive of subjects ahead of next week's key vote in the House of Commons. We also talk to Mark Brooks about men's health in this bumper length episode. Want to join the conversation? podcast@stevebrine.com or find us on our socials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.