86. Jabs payments missing the point

86. Jabs payments missing the point

Author: Steve Brine & James Bethell February 26, 2026 Duration: 49:05

Can we "prescribe" our way out of a national health crisis?


In this episode, former Health Ministers James Bethell and Steve Brine are joined by Charlotte Refsum (Head of Health at the Tony Blair Institute) to dissect the week's biggest headlines in health policy.


In this episode:


  • The Tobacco & Vapes Bill: Why 74 Tories voted against the generational smoking ban.
  • The "Fat Jab" Debate: Should GPs be paid to prescribe GLP-1s, or is there a better way?
  • National Security: Why "Vaccine Sovereignty" is as important as energy or food security.
  • NHS Tech: Why the NHS App feels like it’s built for the system, not the patient.


🎧 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; producer, Calum Macdonald.

--

WhatsApp us: 0333 404 6507

Email: hello@preventionisthenewcure.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: 100

Prevention is the New Cure
Podcast Episodes
90. 'Digital is not an individual athlete' - LIVE from Re:wired [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:05
Episode 90 of THE health and politics podcast, comes LIVE from Digital Health Re:wired!This episode is sponsored by MASTEK; a company with a 25-year history of working with the NHS and has been trusted to deliver signifi…
89. Meningitis horror [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:56
In Episode 89, former Health Ministers Steve Brine and Lord Bethell dive into the urgent headlines shaping British healthcare. From the tragic Meningitis B outbreak in Kent to the "productivity paradox" of AI in hospital…
88. Drugs in Space! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:02
In this episode of Prevention is the New Cure, former Health Ministers Steve Brine and Lord James Bethell join from around the world: James from Blackpool and Steve from North Macedonia.They dive into the looming GP cont…
87. Strictly fund the NHS - and prevention! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:19
The £200bn Question: Why Isn’t the NHS Getting Healthier?In this episode of Prevention is the New Cure, former Health Ministers Steve Brine and James Bethell take analyse the status quo of UK health policy. With NHS spen…
85. Health tech good news and NHS prescribing puppies? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:42
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…
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…