85. Health tech good news and NHS prescribing puppies?

85. Health tech good news and NHS prescribing puppies?

Author: Steve Brine & James Bethell February 19, 2026 Duration: 48:42
Prevention is the New Cure
HealthHealth & FitnessFitnessGovernmentNewsPolitics



In this episode of Prevention is the New Cure, former Health Ministers Steve Brine and James Bethell chat to Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King's Fund.


Sarah Woolnough argues that health is not made in hospitals — it is shaped by housing, education, environment and regulation. The discussion explores whether the UK needs a fundamental shift away from a “sickness service” towards long-term health investment.


🔍 Key topics include:

  • Whether Keir Starmer’s proposed social media age limits represent real reform or political signalling
  • The impact of the Online Safety Act 2023 on child protection
  • A new £20m addiction and gambling prevention fund
  • Why health tech innovation struggles inside the NHS
  • Whether NICE’s new HealthTech Access Programme could transform adoption
  • Why prevention always loses to acute pressures like A&E and GP access
  • The political risks of continuing to expand NHS spending without structural reform


Plus: why dog ownership may reduce dementia risk by 40%.


This episode celebrates the third anniversary of the podcast!

Steve and James look back on the different iterations of the show and reflect on three years of the best health and politics podcast around!


🎧 Listen, subscribe, and join the conversation

📩 Email: preventionisthenewcurepodcast@gmail.com

📱 WhatsApp the show: 0333 404 6507


Did you know? This podcast is one of the top health and social care podcasts around. Help make us #1 by following our show today.


This episode is produced by Shortbread Media; production Tim Pont / Calum Macdonald.

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: 96

Official website RSS
Prevention is the New Cure
Podcast Episodes
83. Can the NHS deliver its new National Cancer Plan? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:27
A special episode this week of the health and politics podcast, Prevention is the new cure, as Ministers finally publish the National Cancer Plan.Steve & James talk exclusively to NHS National Clinical Director, Professo…
82. Stroke prevention day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:29
Steve & James return with episode 82 of the health and politics podcast, Prevention is the new cure.This week, to mark Stroke Prevention Day on Thursday, the guys talk to Juliet Bouverie from the Stroke Association about…
81. James leads the charge on kids social media ban [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
80. Wes Streeting says - get it right first time! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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, me…
79. Henry Dimbleby on food and health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:44
For their first episode of 2026, Steve & James pick over the big stories in health and politics this week including the new NHS Online service, junk food advertising ban and the rollout of a new chicken pox vaccine for c…
78. Helen pops in for a festive game with a Kiwi twist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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, di…
77. How bad is the flu epidemic in our hospitals? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:42
The main story in health and politics this week is the gathering flu epidemic and the impact it is already having on the acute sector. Steve and James talk to Dr Adrian Boyle, immediate past President of the Royal Colleg…
76. Moaning minnies and doctors on strike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:38
As the increasingly bitter war of words between Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, and the British Medical Association hots up James and Steve discuss who really are the 'moaning minnies' of the NHS.They also consider the…
75. Budget politics and health - James Bethell joins! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:45
The health and politics podcast moves into a new chapter as James Bethell joins the team and his first episode is a big one as he and Steve consider Budget 2025.You can get in touch podcast@stevebrine.com and find our so…
74. Sarah's retirement bombshell! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 a…

«123456...10»