74. Sarah's retirement bombshell!

74. Sarah's retirement bombshell!

Author: Steve Brine & James Bethell November 20, 2025 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 at next week's Budget for the NHS.


And they're joined by Sonia Pombo from Action on Salt & Sugar to discuss what we can learn from the 'sugar tax' and how we can use that to reach a consensus with the food industry and government over the harmful effects of a high salt diet, and bring about a reduction in the amount of salt in processed foods.


For their final 'pod surgery' together, Steve and Sarah discuss a major new AI driven project to tackle drug-resistant superbugs, how hundreds of hospice beds are sitting empty due to NHS cut-backs and why children are being hit harder but the current flu wave sweeping across the country.


You can find the podcast on all our social media channels via our LinkTree page and get in touch (including with Sarah) via podcast@stevebrine.com


Chapter Three of this podcast - with Steve and his new co-host James Bethell - returns on Thursday November 27 2025 with a Budget reaction special.


Thanks for listening and good luck to Sarah!


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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: 96

Prevention is the New Cure
Podcast Episodes
63. Drug checking at UK festivals - and striking doctors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:10
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 interve…
62. Matthew Taylor deep dive interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:47
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…
61. Pod drop - NHS Ten Year 'Plan' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:14
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…
60. Medical cannabis LIVE episode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:32
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…
59. Watercress and health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:21
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 al…
58. ConFed Expo LIVE episode with Helen Stokes-Lampard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:17
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 incomi…
57. Dame Sally Davies, disposable vapes ban and men's health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:53
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 An…
56. Prof Steve Powis deep dive interview special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:06
Our second long form interview is with Professor Sir Steve Powis as he heads towards retirement as NHS England's Medical Director after seven years in the role. We find out when he learnt the organisation is to be abolis…
55. Steve in conversation with Kings Fund CEO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:42
Steve is joined by Sarah Woolnough from The Kings Fund to discuss the latest developments in health and care. This was recorded as part of a webinar for GK Strategy and is shared across the 'Prevention is the new cure' n…
54. Layla Moran MP social care interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:13
On the day the Commons Health & Social Care Select Committee publishes its' first report of the new Parliament - on social care - Steve and Sarah chat with Chair Layla Moran MP about what they describe as the "true cost…