Prevention is the New Cure

Latest Episodes:

115. MHRA chief Lawrence Tallon Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

For the next of our BIG Autumn interview specials, former Minister Steve Brine speaks with Lawrence Tallon who heads up the powerful MHRA.

They start by discussing what the regulator is for and Steve asks whether there is an inherent tension between being faster and being safer — or is that actually the wrong way of thinking about modern regulation? They get into rare diseases where theMHRA’s proposed framework recognises that conventional development models designed for large populations don’t necessarily work when patient numbers are small. And the pair discuss whether Britain losing clinical trials overseas is yesterday's story or still the case today.

Steve and Lawrence also take a deep dive into AI (or SI as President Trump calls it) following the National Commission’s report on AI in healthcare.

The MHRA–NICE aligned pathway comes into the discussion; there’s little point having the fastest regulator in the world if an innovation then spends months waiting somewhere else in the system. They discuss this and, of course, if we really are moving towards a health system built around prediction, prevention and earlier intervention, Steve wants to know what the regulator of the future needs to become.

Oh and they share the misery of being fellow Spurs and it turns out, through Lawrences' work as Founding President with NHS Spurs, there's even a silver lining to that!

You can visit the MHRA here.

You can get in touch with this podcast via podcast@stevebrine.com or on all our socials, including X and LinkedIn.

This episode is produced by Brine Health Ltd.

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast update on Autumn specials Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

A little update on from Steve Brine around the big Autumn specials now underway - and where next for Prevention is the new cure!

Contact the team - podcast@stevebrine.com

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

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114. Keep Britain Working with Sir Charlie Mayfield Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

For the first of our BIG Autumn interview specials, Former Minister Steve Brine speaks with Sir Charlie Mayfield about his landmark Keep Britain Working review.

The former John Lewis boss talks candidly about why he accepted the role, what his initial report says, why he knows Andy Burnham is on-side and insists this is not just another report delivered to Ministers - and forgotten.

The conversation covers young people and the job market, 'masking' at work and why 'presenteeism' is commonplace as well as the impact of his proposed reforms on small employers. They also talk at length about the disability employment gap. Steve also wants to know if Sir Charlie will stick around to see his work through to its conclusion and manages to call him Boris!

You can access the Keep Britain Working pages here.

You can get in touch with this podcast via podcast@stevebrine.com or on all our socials, including X and LinkedIn.

This episode is produced by Brine Health Ltd.

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

113. Jeremy Hunt on the future, Burnham and his Whoop Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

Former Chancellor and longest-serving Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt joins Steve Brine and James Bethell.

In this episode, Jeremy Hunt breaks down the harsh economic realities facing the NHS, why throwing more money at healthcare won't fix it, and what a future Conservative health strategy must look like under Shadow Health Secretary Damian Hinds. The trio dives into structural reforms, realigning local financial incentives, shifting focus from acute hospital care to prevention, and using AI and single patient electronic records to drive productivity.

Key Topics Covered:

The Fiscal Envelope: Why Labour and Conservatives both face strict spending limits on healthcare.

Fixing Systemic Incentives: Shifting focus from 18-month operational targets to long-term prevention.

The Power of Data: How electronic health records (EPR) and AI can target high-cost care upstream.

Social Care & Political Realities: Andy Burnham’s ambitions vs. fiscal resistance.

Regulating AI in Healthcare: Balancing rapid innovation with patient safety.

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

112. Summer ends, governing begins Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Steve Brine and James Bethell are back, as politics returns to business as usual!

In today's episode, they break down the fiscal reality facing the new government, why OpenAI’s integration with Epic Systems is a watershed moment for health data, and whether high-street cholesterol checks in pharmacies are a game-changer or just a drop in the ocean.

They also tackle the skyrocketing costs of ADHD diagnoses, £343M of mental health funding, and Steve asks James whether he'd rather do exercise or have a nap.

Oh and the guys reveal what their chosen specialist subjects would be in the unlikely event they were ever on Mastermind!

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

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111. Can AI Save the NHS? | Chief Scientific Adviser Prof. Lucy Chappell Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Is 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.

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"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.

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#NHS #HealthTech #MedicalResearch #PublicHealth #ArtificialIntelligence #Policy #HealthcareInnovation

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110. "I Was Told I Was Too Young": The Signs of Breast Cancer We Ignore Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

Breast 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.com

CoppaFeel! 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.

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

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109. Burnham's First Fortnight: What Have We Learned? Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

In 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.

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

108. UK Vaccination: A Collective Ambition Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

On 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

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

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107. New Health Secretary but what next? Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

On 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!

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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