80. Wes Streeting says - get it right first time!

80. Wes Streeting says - get it right first time!

Author: Steve Brine & James Bethell January 16, 2026 Duration: 31:40

The health and politics podcast reaches its 80th episode! Steve and James discuss Kemi Badenoch's social media ban proposal, the high-wire act of negotiating a new GP contract and what Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, meant when he cited GIRFT (get it right first time) at a major conference this week.


Also, this week saw a genuine medical breakthrough as a patient at Manchester Royal Infirmary became the first in the UK to receive a new CAR-T treatment for aggressive blood cancer. The pair discuss what this means.


And James owns up to progress on his 'Dry January' efforts this year!


We welcome your feedback on our discussions and suggestions for what we might discuss next and who we might interview. You can email preventionisthenewcure@gmail.com or find us on any of our social media channels.


You can access our archive via Podfollow.


Thanks for listening to our show.


Love Steve & James


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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
34. New Ministers, new Government and new vision [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:50
Off the back of an historic election Helen and Steve take a deep dive into Labour's health policy and it's impact on prevention, the NHS and social care. They also cover their thoughts on the new Ministerial appointments…
33. General Election special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:55
Helen and Steve pick apart the major parties' manifestos ahead of the General Election on Thursday 4th July, they share their hopes and ambitions for the next Government and what the impact might be on health and the NHS…
32. Men's Health Week special w/ Toby Freeman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:15
With Men's Health Week in full force, Helen and Steve welcome Toby Freeman from the Robin Cancer Trust onto the pod to talk about cancer awareness and the charities work. Helen and Steve also cover a host of other storie…
31. A look back on health during the past Parliament [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:25
With the General Election called last week, Steve and Helen take an in-depth look back at health policy in the fourteen years of Conservative Government, as well as the work of the Health and Social Care Select Committee…
30. Steve and Helen's travels, birth trauma and Coppafeel! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:35
Helen is back on the podcast joining Steve to cover some of the biggest health stories from the past two week. Steve and Helen share some international prevention news from their recent travels in Sweden and New Zealand.…
29. Special w/ Lord Bethell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:18
With Helen away, former Health Minister and Peer, Lord Bethell, joins Steve on the podcast to discuss the Smoking and Vapes Bill, smartphones and their effect on young people and some of the biggest news stories from the…
28. Tobacco and Vapes Bill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:28
Helen and Steve delve into the biggest health news stories from the past couple of weeks. Steve shares his views on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill after just leaving the House of Commons following his speech. Helen picks up…
27. Special w/ Marcel Gehrung [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:01
Steve Brine MP and Helen Stokes-Lampard are joined by Cyted Health CEO and Co-Founder, Marcel Gehrung, to hear about innovations in the diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal cancers they're leading. Cyted's mission is to s…
26. Cancer research special w/ Harpal Kumar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:10
Steve and Helen welcome the former Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, Harpal Kumar, onto the Pod. Harpal now leads GRAIL who's mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured and to improve and save lives. As…
25. Pharmacy special w/ Paul Rees [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:16
The Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association, Paul Rees MBE, joins the podcast to discuss crisis in community pharmacy and the need for a New Deal for the sector. Helen and Steve also delve into the health si…