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

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

Author: Steve Brine and guests September 10, 2026 Duration: 46:47

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.


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
82. Stroke prevention day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:29
Steve & James return with episode 82 of the health and politics podcast, Prevention is the new cure.This week, to mark Stroke Prevention Day on Thursday, the guys talk to Juliet Bouverie from the Stroke Association about…
81. James leads the charge on kids social media ban [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:06
Steve and James return with episode 81 of the health and politics podcast, Prevention is the new cure.They chat just hours after James (Lord Bethell) led the charge on a debate in the House of Lords which saw Peers vote…
80. Wes Streeting says - get it right first time! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:40
The health and politics podcast reaches its 80th episode! Steve and James discuss Kemi Badenoch's social media ban proposal, the high-wire act of negotiating a new GP contract and what Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, me…
79. Henry Dimbleby on food and health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:44
For their first episode of 2026, Steve & James pick over the big stories in health and politics this week including the new NHS Online service, junk food advertising ban and the rollout of a new chicken pox vaccine for c…
78. Helen pops in for a festive game with a Kiwi twist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:22
After a busy year, which saw Steve team up with Lord James Bethell for chapter three of THE health and politics podcast, it's time for some festive fun as an old friend joins.Original co-host, Dr Helen Stokes-Lampard, di…
77. How bad is the flu epidemic in our hospitals? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:42
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 Colleg…
76. Moaning minnies and doctors on strike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:38
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…
75. Budget politics and health - James Bethell joins! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:45
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 so…
74. Sarah's retirement bombshell! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:33
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 a…
73. Budget health speculation and long term conditions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:48
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.D…