101. AI Vaccines & Precision Cancer Breakthroughs | Live at NHS Confed Expo

101. AI Vaccines & Precision Cancer Breakthroughs | Live at NHS Confed Expo

Author: Steve Brine and guests June 11, 2026 Duration: 52:55

Are we witnessing the collapse of the government's 10-year NHS plan, or are we on the brink of a healthcare revolution? 


Live from the NHS ConfedExpo 2026 in Manchester, former health ministers Steve Brine and James Bethel sit down to analyse a seismic period for health and politics. Following the shocking resignation of Wes Streeting and the appointment of James Murray as Secretary of State, we ask: who is steering the ship, and could an Andy Burnham administration be on the horizon?


We also dive into incredible healthcare breakthroughs: the world’s first AI-designed vaccine passing human trials at the University of Cambridge, and game-changing precision therapies doubling advanced pancreatic cancer survival rates.


Plus, special guests Richard Sloggett (Future Health Research) and Lee-Ann Farrell (J&J) join the pod to discuss social care levies, NHS structural changes, and the reality of innovation on the frontline.


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Email: podcast@stevebrine.com


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Prevention is the New Cure is a health and politics podcast hosted by former UK Health Ministers Steve Brine & James Bethell. Drawing on their experience inside government, they unpack how political decisions shape the NHS, public health, fitness, and everyday wellbeing. Each week, listeners can expect thoughtful conversations on prevention - from tackling chronic disease and obesity to mental health, social care, and the future of healthcare funding. With candid reflections, behind-the-scenes insight, and expert guests, the show explores what needs to change so that staying well becomes as important as treating illness. Whether you follow health policy, work in the system, or just care about living longer, healthier lives, this is your place to listen episodes that challenge, inform, and inspire.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Prevention is the New Cure
Podcast Episodes
103. Is the future of the NHS scary? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:00
In Episode 103, former health ministers Lord Bethell and Steve Brine break down a historic week in UK politics and healthcare.Following Andy Burnham’s by-election victory and Keir Starmer’s sudden resignation, they ask:…
102. Do we have our own MAHA movement? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:18
The social media ban for under-16s is officially here - but can government actually enforce it? In Episode 102 of the health and politics podcast, Prevention is the new cure, former Health Ministers Steve Brine and James…
100. Chris Whitty opens up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:13
England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, joins former Health Ministers Steve Brine and James Bethell inside the Department of Health for our landmark 100th episode.Sir Chris breaks down the data behin…
99. Does Tony Blair have a point? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:14
In a week that Tony Blair returned to UK headlines, James Bethell and Steve Brine wonder whether the former Prime Minister is right on healthcare (among other things) and will he have an influence over a potential Labour…
98. Burnham v. Streeting on Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:29
As candidates emerge ahead of a potential Labour leadership contest James Bethell and Steve Brine consider a tale of two health secretaries vying for the top job. How do Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting stack up when it co…
97. Who is the Health Secretary? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:01
Chaos in Westminster. As rumors of a Labour leadership challenge swirl, former Health Ministers Steve Brine and James Bethell break down a week of political explosions and landmark policy shifts.In this episode, we dive…
96. American special - the AI crash and what happens next [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:16
James joins from the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills this week and the guys unpack five "states of mind" currently dominating the global health and politics landscape. From China’s surging dominance i…
95. Jonathan Ashworth on his stroke - and lego [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:00
Former Health Ministers Steve Brine and James Bethell return with a thought-provoking episode - featuring former Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth on his shock stroke at 47, and the unexpected role of Lego in his…
94. Vaccines... and underpants [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:00
Former Health Ministers Steve Brine and James Bethell return for a deep dive into the intersection of health and politics. This week, they tackle the "Golden Child" of the pandemic, the vaccine rollout, and ask a piercin…
93. Prostate cancer’s moment of truth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:17
Former Health Ministers Steve Brine and James Bethell dive into the "nihilism" of modern health politics. Is the current strategy just about keeping the NHS out of the headlines, or are we actually making the nation heal…