81. James leads the charge on kids social media ban

81. James leads the charge on kids social media ban

Author: Steve Brine and guests January 22, 2026 Duration: 35:06

Steve and James return with episode 81 of the health and politics podcast, Prevention is the new cure.


They chat just hours after James (Lord Bethell) led the charge on a debate in the House of Lords which saw Peers vote through an amendment which would ban under-16's from social media across the UK.


Also, as nearly a quarter of hospitals in England report waiting times have worsened since the government published its plan to tackle the backlog a year ago, the pair discuss whether Ministers have chosen the right path given A&E waits - and corridor care - continue to hit the headlines.


And, given the ongoing broader debate around immigration policy as the main parties chase Reform, Steve's Thursday rant focuses on health and care workforce shortages and asks whether we have a race to the bottom healthcare recruitment which is harming the service in the short-term.


Finally, in good news corner, Steve and James talk about an international trial that is examining whether a finger-prick blood test called Bio-Hermes-002 could be used to help diagnose Alzheimer's disease. BBC News story link.


You can email us : preventionisthenewcurepodcast@gmail.com


You can listen to our archive via Podfollow and find our social media channel via LinkTree. And our You Tube channel is here.


Thanks for listening!


Love Steve and James

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


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: 50

Prevention is the New Cure
Podcast Episodes
113. Jeremy Hunt on the future, Burnham and his Whoop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:47
Former Chancellor and longest-serving Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt joins Steve Brine and James Bethell.In this episode, Jeremy Hunt breaks down the harsh economic realities facing the NHS, why throwing more money at heal…
112. Summer ends, governing begins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:39
Steve Brine and James Bethell are back, as politics returns to business as usual!In today's episode, they break down the fiscal reality facing the new government, why OpenAI’s integration with Epic Systems is a watershed…
109. Burnham's First Fortnight: What Have We Learned? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:51
In Episode 109 of Prevention is the New Cure, former health ministers James Bethell and Steve Brine dissect Andy Burnham’s first fortnight in office. They break down his heavy emphasis on social media communication, his…
108. UK Vaccination: A Collective Ambition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:11
On today's episode, Steve Brine and James Bethell discuss new opportunities in population health with vaccines. They are joined by Lisa Sha, General Manager at Sanofi Vaccines UK and Ireland, for a conversation on the UK…
107. New Health Secretary but what next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:07
On today's episode, with James Bethell away, Steve Brine is joined by journalist and author Isabel Hardman (The Spectator) for an in-depth dive into a momentous week in British politics and health policy.Together, they b…
106. Pharmacy First - analogue idea in a digital age? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:10
Is the NHS relying on analogue systems in a digital world?In Episode 106, former Health Minister Steve Brine and guest co-host Charlotte Refsum (Director of Health Policy at the Tony Blair Institute) discuss the massive…
105. Would we pass Trump's fitness test? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:30
Is the NHS checking out of preventative care? In Episode 105 of Prevention is the New Cure, former health ministers Lord James Bethell and Steve Brine tackle the shifting landscape of public health, political incentives,…
104. AI and our mental health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:35
In Episode 104, former health ministers Lord Bethell and Steve Brine tackle one of the NHS's most urgent crises as they examine a damning review into maternity services in England.Following Baroness Valerie Amos' report…