78. Helen pops in for a festive game with a Kiwi twist

78. Helen pops in for a festive game with a Kiwi twist

Author: Steve Brine & James Bethell December 22, 2025 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, dials in from her home in New Zealand to play a special game of snap with a Kiwi twist - Yeh / Yeh-Nah - which looks at the current similarities between the two countries in health and politics. Discussion ranges from health service reorganisation and workforce strife to public health outbreaks.


And Pod Surgery makes a one-off return as the pair discuss the flu epidemic hitting England's hospitals and whether it really did come from the southern hemisphere?


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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
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This week Steve is on his own for a special LIVE episode of the podcast from The CARE Show at the NEC in Birmingham.He is joined by two guests; Dr Jan Townson from the Homecare Association and Kehan Zhou from Camascope.…
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Steve & Sarah get together to discuss the Labour Party Conference after Steve's first visit to the party's annual gathering in Liverpool. They consider the health announcements made including a pay uplift for care worker…
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Duration: 52:45
Sarah is away so Lord (James) Bethell joins Steve Brine as guest co-host. The pair reflect on the NHS Ten Year Plan two-months on, the return of provider league tables, the resignation of Claire Fuller as Director of Men…
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NHS England Chair, Dr Penny Dash, is in the hot-seat for a very special deep dive interview. This is a wide-ranging chat which covers Penny's journey from clinician to running the entire health service, the abolition of…
65. Golf & Health special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week Steve & Sarah are joined by head of health at the Tony Blair Institute, Dr Charlotte Refsum. They talk about their new report on the potential of the NHS App, obesity 'fat jab' drugs and the NHS Ten Year Plan f…