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
53. Dentistry crisis unpacked [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:09
This week Steve & Sarah talk dentistry with Neil Carmichael from the Association of Dental Groups. We also hear about hitting small boys on the head with stones, Easter snacking and Steve's night-time grinding. In pod-su…
52. UK's alcohol blind spot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:53
Health prevention royalty joins Steve & Sarah on the pod in an episode supported by the Alcohol Health Alliance (www.ahauk.org).Sir Ian Gilmore talks about a lifetime making the case for action on alcohol harm - for the…
NHSE deep dive interview special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:23
Our first long form interview is with Richard Meddings as he steps down from being Chair of NHS England. In his first broadcast interview since leaving the role he talks candidly about how he got the job, the organisatio…
51. You are what you eat! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:17
For this episode, Steve and Sarah reflect on the abolition of NHS England and 50% cuts to Integrated Care Boards. They are joined by Phil Gowland from Whitworths to discuss healthy eating, how the food industry can be pa…
50. HIV special from San Francisco! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:24
Sarah is back from her Indian adventure and the pair are joined by Richard Angell from the Terrence Higgins Trust (all the way from San Fran) to talk all things HIV including the impact of US Aid cuts. They also discuss…
49. Spinal muscular atrophy interview marks Rare Diseases Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:39
This week sees Rare Diseases Day 2025 and to mark the moment, Steve and James speak with SMA UK boss Giles Lomax about spinal muscular atrophy and how we have the power to save lives. The pair also consider what is happe…
48. Dementia prevention special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:06
For this episode, Steve and Sarah are joined by respected neurologist, Dr Paul Jarman, from UCLH to talk about the prevention of dementia. In a thought provoking discussion, the pair discuss risk factors, lifestyle and o…
47. Simon Wessely on the new Mental Health Bill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:59
Steve is joined by his brand new co-host, Dr Sarah Wollaston, for the first time. Sarah was an MP from 2010-2019 and, like Steve, is a former Chair of the Health Select Committee. The pair are joined by Professor Sir Sim…
45. Helen returns! Our Christmas special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:33
The original line-up returns as Dr Helen Stokes-Lampard joins Steve Brine for a Christmas special. We hear what Helen did next, talk cricket (!), healthcare in New Zealand and look back at 2024 in UK health and politics.…