85. Health tech good news and NHS prescribing puppies?

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 signallingThe impact of the Online Safety Act 2023 on child protectionA new £20m addiction and gambling prevention fundWhy health tech innovation struggles inside the NHSWhether NICE’s new HealthTech Access Programme could transform adoptionWhy prevention always loses to acute pressures like A&E and GP accessThe political risks of continuing to expand NHS spending without structural reformPlus: 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: [email protected]📱 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.Sponsored by Pulselight. Find out more at pulselight.com--WhatsApp us: 0333 404 6507Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.