90. 'Digital is not an individual athlete' - LIVE from Re:wired

90. 'Digital is not an individual athlete' - LIVE from Re:wired

Author: Steve Brine & James Bethell March 26, 2026 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 significant national IT infrastructure and data projects across the UK Public Sector.


Former Health Ministers Steve Brine and Lord Bethell are at the NEC among four thousand digital health leaders with very special guests and all the usual insights into how decisions are made.


They begin with the huge response to last week's episode - 'meningitis horror' - and discuss a new vaccine commission getting underway from the Royal Society for Public Health. And the pair consider the new Neighbourhood Health Framework, finally published last week which is the delivery mechanism for the entire ten-year health plan as told to by NHS boss Jim Mackey when he was on the podcast last month.


And they're joined by Sonia Patel - Interim Government Chief Technology Officer (and former NHS England CTO) - as well as Helen Clifton, Executive Director of Products & Platforms at NHS England. Helen is responsible for how the NHS shows up in peoples’ pockets and whether digital actually delivers prevention.


The discussion covers:


  • The £7.4 Billion NHS digital investment: Where is the money actually going?
  • Martha’s Rule: How one mother’s campaign is saving hundreds of lives from sepsis.
  • The Vaccination Gap: Why adult vaccine access is the next big public health challenge.
  • Consumer Health: Will the NHS App ever be as good as your banking app or a Whoop band?
  • The Neighborhood Health Framework: Is it a delivery mechanism or just a fantasy?


Connect with the Podcast: 📧 Email: preventionisthenewcurepodcast@gmail.com 📱 WhatsApp: 0333 4046507 ✅ Subscribe for weekly insights from the heart of health politics!


This episode is produced by Shortbread Media / Calum Macdonald with on-site technician services provided by Digital Health Re:wired courtesy of Aztec Events.


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

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…