8. Sex and the weather

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 incoming Ten Year Plan and life in New Zealand's health service. There's also time for a look at assisted dying (here and there), a discussion about 'poo pills' and of course an update on Steve's Labrador, Monty. Feedback (or messages for Helen) on podcast@stevebrine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), prevention policy, the Salisbury poisonings and the time Steve and Sally went to Argentina! We also reflect on the new Disposable Vapes Act, which came into force on the weekend, and hear about the newest health think-tank focused on men's health.Feedback, suggestions for future guests and items for 'Pod Surgery' - podcast@stevebrine.com or contact us via socials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 abolished, what he thinks lies behind the decision and, of course, whether he believes the shift to prevention will happen this time. Steve discusses GLP1 weight loss drugs which are back in the news this week and the new Cancer 360 programme from the NHS among other subjects. And he looks ahead to following the Lions tour Down Under later this yea and taking Steve on at golf!Feedback (and messages for Steve which we will pass on) welcome via podcast@stevebrine.comFind and follow us on X @PreventionPodc and LinkedIn www.linkedin/company/preventionpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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' network as a special deep dive interview. Comments welcome - podcast@stevebrine.comThe Kings Fund - www.kingsfund.org.ukGK Strategy - www.gkstrategy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 on inaction". This episode, which is exclusively given over to the interview, discusses the Casey Review, the politics and the hope for meaningful action before the Labour Government face the electorate in 2028/29.And this is a podcast first as two FORMER chairs interview the CURRENT chair of the select committee! Be in touch with your views, and ideas for future interviews, podcast@stevebrine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-surgery, the pair discuss health MOT's, a fall in adult vaping and WHO pandemic preparedness. podcast@stevebrine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 NHS and our wider society. We talk the drinking culture in this country, the need for an alcohol strategy and the Swedish model! In pod surgery, the team talk men's health and NHS health-checks, emergency contraception and an NHS that might just knock on your door. Get in touch podcast@stevebrine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 organisation's abolition and the risks of the top-down reorganisation that will follow. He also gives his advice to Wes Streeting, and the Ten Year Plan to come, gives a "punchy" response to last week's Nuffield Trust Social Attitudes Survey and reveals his vision what the UK should do next in health policy. Oh and he tells us what three old guys are going to do next - on a bike! Feedback (and messages for Richard) welcome via podcast@stevebrine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 part of the solution - and Steve's bad snacking habits. Pod surgery considers Dad bods and trouble brewing for the Assisted Dying Bill. This episode is supported by Whitworths. www.whitworths.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 changes at NHS England, giving blood and slushies! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 happening with the Government's Ten Year Plan, a worrying new piece of research from CRUK and look ahead to the NHS Winter crisis of 2026 - discuss! You can get in touch with the team via podcast@stevebrine.com or find us on our social media channels.Note: Steve has worked in an advisory role with organisations who have an interest in both SMA and newborn screening, but the opinions expressed in this podcast which he presents are his own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 of course the new drugs which promise a whole new chapter in the fight against Alzheimer's disease in particular. And Steve raises the thorny issue of mushrooms! Also covered this week; breast cancer and AI, a new health Minister and what is going on at NHSE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Simon Wessely to talk about the new Mental Health Bill going through Parliament and also cover President Trump and the WHO on World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day plus three of the biggest cancers. Oh and they compare puppies! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve's Conservative / Lib-Dem coalition colleague, Norman Lamb, co-hosts the first episode of 2025. The pair talk NHS winter crisis, social care 'reform, drug consumption rooms and 'sickness to prevention'. Email podcast@stevebrine.com or find us on social media for feedback and suggestions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. And pod-surgery is back discussing caesarean births and soaring alcohol deaths. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.