Prevention is the New Cure

Latest Episodes:

66. Penny Dash deep dive interview Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

NHS England Chair, Dr Penny Dash, is in the hot-seat for a very special deep dive interview. This is a wide-ranging chat which covers Penny's journey from clinician to running the entire health service, the abolition of NHSE (and when she really knew it was happening!), the Ten Year Plan and the future of ICB's. They delve into what neighbourhood health really means, whether the NHS will ever achieve its own constitutional standards on waiting times and use of the independent sector in doing so.

They also touch on whether NHS IT, as critical national infrastructure, should sit under the Secretary of State in DHSC as the reorganisation is concluded.

And the trio make a date to speak again - on a beach in Devon - with a swim!

We want to hear from you with your feedback on this interview and suggestions for future episodes; podcast@stevebrine.com or find us on our socials via our LinkTree page.

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

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

65. Golf & Health special Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

Steve & Sarah are on their hols so Episode 65 is a special pre-recorded interview Steve did a few weeks back with Dr Andrew Murray from the Golf & Health Project.

It’s a game Steve has played for over 40 years – and played with his late father including for a period after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

Steve and Andrew talk about the project, how it came about and the work it does to make the case for golf as a sport, a means of physical activity across the ages – and some of its other rather extraordinary – impacts on the lives of the people who play; not least as club in the bag of prevention ill health!

Golf & Health Project

Golf in Society

You can watch a short-film Steve made with Golf & Health, during his time as Public Health Minister in 2018, via You Tube

This episode's cover image shows (from left to right); Dr Andrew Murray, Professor Fiona Bull (WHO Programme Manager, Non-Communicable Disease Prevention), Steve Brine, Annika SorenstamMajor Champion and a global ambassador for golf and health), Martin Slumbers (then Chief Executive of The R&A) and Craig Tracey (then Chair of the All-Party Group on Golf) in Westminster at the International Congress on Golf & Health in 2018.

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

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64. Tony Blair Institute on the NHS App Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

This week Steve & Sarah are joined by head of health at the Tony Blair Institute, Dr Charlotte Refsum. They talk about their new report on the potential of the NHS App, obesity 'fat jab' drugs and the NHS Ten Year Plan for England which they have widely influenced.

The pair also look back at their interview with The Loop (Episode 63) about drug taking at UK Summer festivals, as a new Coroner report lands following a death last year at the Boomtown Festival near Winchester.

Other subjects covered in this episode include a look at the ongoing resident doctors strike, the surprise announcement from Dr Sam Roberts that she will step down as CEO of NICE and a 'final' attempt to agree a legally binding global plastics treaty following a landmark report in The Lancet.

Steve & Sarah are taking a break now through August but will return with their next full episode on Thursday September 4 2025. However, do look out for a special recorded episode from Steve on the subject of golf and health which will drop on Thursday August 21 at 08:00.

You can contact us via our many socials via our LinkTree page or get in touch : podcast@stevebrine.com

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

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

63. Drug checking at UK festivals - and striking doctors Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

For this week's big interview, Steve Brine and Dr Sarah Wollaston talk to Fiona Measham from "The Loop UK" about preventing drug deaths at UK festivals. Their aim is to reduce drug-related harm through healthcare interventions informed by research and drug checking at events - and in city centres. It's a fascinating glimpse into a little talked about aspect of health prevention.

The Loop website

Article - The long and winding road to drug checking in the UK

The pair also talk about the imminent 'resident doctors' strike - which begins tomorrow for five days - and consider the ramifications for the NHS and the Ten Year Plan. And they discuss Gillian Leng's review of Physician and Anaesthetic Associates published this month.

Leng Review

They also cover the Dash Review into patient safety and, in pod surgery, it's measles and how a new study from The Lancet says just 7,000 steps a day cuts health risks.

You can find (and follow) us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and BlueSky and email us podcast@stevebrine.com

Thanks for listening! Next schedule episode drops on August 7 2025.

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

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

62. Matthew Taylor deep dive interview Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

As the dust settles on the recently published NHS Ten Year Plan, the team sit down for a deep dive interview with one of the most high profile voices in health; Matthew Taylor who leads the NHS Confederation. They unpack the plan, its' strengths and weaknesses and where it should strike the balance between reform and recovery. And they touch on the resident doctors ballot from the BMA which will see five more strike days hit the NHS in England later this month.

NHS Confederation

The Parliament Matters Podcast Steve & Sarah discuss can be found - Parliament Matters.

Feedback and comment very welcome - podcast@stevebrine.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and now Bluesky via our PITNCpodcast | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook | Linktree.

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

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61. Pod drop - NHS Ten Year 'Plan' Jul 04, 2025

Show notes

A special 'pod drop' episode, 24-hours after Ministers publish their much anticipated NHS Ten Year Plan. Steve and Sarah discuss what they've spotted among its 168 pages, what they like, what they don't like and look at some of the inherent risks to its success. Feedback welcome - podcast@stevebrine.com

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

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

60. Medical cannabis LIVE episode Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

A very special episode recorded in front of a live audience at Cannabis Europa London on Tuesday June 24 2025. Steve and Sarah are joined by Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Matt Hughes from the Medcan Family Foundation and Dr Diego Quattrone from King's College, London. The panel discuss the question 'Cannabis and the NHS: will the UK ever see cannabis readily and easily available?' Feedback welcome and we are of course happy to connect listeners with any of our guests - podcast@stevebrine.com

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

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59. Watercress and health Jun 21, 2025

Show notes

We return to the studio for Episode 59 and we're talking to Dr Kyle Stewart from Watercress Research about the fascinating work they are doing with watercress. Spoiler alert - it's more than you think! Sarah and Steve also look back at last week's NHS ConFed Expo (from where Steve and Helen Stokes-Lampard recorded a live episode), the possibility of new strikes across the NHS and health tech investment. And pod surgery returns looking at new arrangements for cervical cancer screening and recording your health procedures on your mobile phone! We love hearing from you so please get in touch via socials or podcast@stevebrine.com

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

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58. ConFed Expo LIVE episode with Helen Stokes-Lampard Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

Fate brings the original PITNC team back together for a special episode recorded in front of a live audience at ConFed Expo on Thursday June 12 2025. Steve and Helen Stokes-Lampard discuss the spending review, the incoming Ten Year Plan and life in New Zealand's health service. There's also time for a look at assisted dying (here and there), a discussion about 'poo pills' and of course an update on Steve's Labrador, Monty. Feedback (or messages for Helen) on podcast@stevebrine.com

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

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57. Dame Sally Davies, disposable vapes ban and men's health Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

The country's top health and politics podcasts is back with another stellar guest - Dame Sally Davies! We talk to Sally about her career which includes being England's Chief Medical Officer and now UK Special Envoy on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), prevention policy, the Salisbury poisonings and the time Steve and Sally went to Argentina! We also reflect on the new Disposable Vapes Act, which came into force on the weekend, and hear about the newest health think-tank focused on men's health.

Feedback, suggestions for future guests and items for 'Pod Surgery' - podcast@stevebrine.com or contact us via socials.

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

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

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