70. Are we over-diagnosing mental illness?

70. Are we over-diagnosing mental illness?

Author: Steve Brine & James Bethell October 16, 2025 Duration: 49:52

Steve Brine and Dr Sarah Wollaston discuss a wide range of stories including the drug pricing row engulfing our life sciences sector, more bad news for Ministers on NHS waiting lists, walk-in GP centres in Scotland and the Rishi Sunak / David Lammy double-act on prostate cancer.


The pair also take a considered look at news, first reported in the Health Service Journal, that Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, is to launch a review of the prevalence of mental illness and neurodivergence. What lies behind it, what might it recommend and does the Prime Minister have a wider agenda?


And Steve takes a moment to mention a brand new charity he is chairing - which gets it launch this evening - Winchester Cancer Sanctuary.


Oh and they consider dogs and their balls; it's a long story ...


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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: 100

Prevention is the New Cure
Podcast Episodes
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…
92. The Junk food ad ban GIANT loophole [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:04
In episode 92 of THE health and politics podcast: Prevention is the New Cure, former Health Ministers Steve Brine and Lord Bethell discuss the brand new junk food ban, and how fast food companies and others are ALREADY f…
91. Why Willpower Fails Against Obesity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:10
Is the UK's health system upside down? In this episode of 'Prevention is the New Cure,' former Health Minister Lord James Bethell and Tony Blair Institute’s Dr. Charlotte Refsum sit down with Professor Susan Jebb (Chair…