Talking Health and Wellbeing: The amii Podcast

In this episode of the amii podcast, Talking Health & Wellbeing, you can listen to Dave Middleton and Paul Schreier, CEO of Healthcare Services and Cash Plan Provider Simplyhealth, in a wide-ranging discussion on workforce health, the Keep Britain Working review, and what employers can do right now to address one of the country's most pressing economic challenges.With around three million people currently out of work due to long-term illness, accounting for roughly half of all working-age adults on out-of-work benefits, the scale of the problem is significant. The government estimates the cost of economic inactivity to be well in excess of £200 billion per year, a figure that underlines why addressing workforce health has become a national priority.  The Keep Britain Working review, initiated in the early days of the current government, following the 2024 general election, was designed to tackle this challenge by examining how employers, the NHS and the wider health sector can work together to keep people in work, prevent long-term absence and support those returning after illness. In the episode, Paul draws on Simplyhealth's involvement as a Vanguard organisation in the implementation of the review, sharing the emerging findings and the practical steps that employers of all sizes can take to support their workforce. The conversation explores three key areas identified by the review, including what a healthy employment lifecycle looks like, the importance of early intervention, and the role of data in identifying root causes and measuring outcomes. Paul explains the remaining barriers, including NHS waiting lists and access to diagnosis, to the challenges of designing interventions that work for smaller businesses as well as large employers. You can read the full Keep Britain Working report HERE. To learn more about Simplyhealth, use this link

Hosted by Dave Middleton, executive chair of amii, the episode features Kent Bray, councillor and mentor, whoshares his personal journey from professional sport and a successful corporate career to addiction and recovery, and how those experiences now shape his work supporting others. Drawing on his background as a former professional rugby player with Harlequins and a qualified lawyer who went on to work in senior financial roles, Kent speaks candidly about thepressures associated with success, identity and ego, and how these can impact mental health if left unaddressed. The conversation explores the stigma that still surrounds men’s health, particularly in high-performanceenvironments, and the tendency for individuals to avoid seeking help. Kent reflects on his own experience of addiction, his recovery journey, and the importance of self-awareness, honesty and support systems in creating long-term change. The episode also highlights the role employers can play in supporting their workforce, with a focus on creatingenvironments where individuals feel able to speak openly and access professional support when needed.

From supplements and weight loss injections to daily routines and long-term behaviour change, the latest episode of amii’s Talking Health & Wellbeing Podcast cuts through the noise to explore what really makes a difference to health and wellbeing. Host Dave Middleton, Executive Chair of amii, was joined by Declan Doyle, Learning and Development Officer for Health@Work, part of the Medicash Group, to discuss the science behind nutrition, common misconceptions, and howindividuals and employers can take a more practical and sustainable approach to wellbeing. With over 20 years’ experience across elite sport, education and corporate wellbeing, Declan shared insights into howpeople often focus too heavily on small details, such as supplements or specific diets, while overlooking the bigger picture. The discussion explored how daily routines, activity levels, sleep patterns and broader lifestyle behaviours have a far greater influence on health outcomes. During the episode, Declan highlighted that many people prioritise the ‘micro’ over the ‘macro’, becoming fixated onindividual supplements or quick fixes, rather than addressing foundational habits. He explained that, while supplements can have a role, they are often the least impactful factor if underlying behaviours around movement, nutrition and recovery are not addressed first. The conversation also examined current trends, including weight-loss medication, with Declan emphasising the importance of supporting individuals to understand and adapt their lifestyle behaviours alongside any clinical intervention to achieve sustainable, long-term results.

Building resilient cultures is emerging as a defining factor for long-term success within the workplace, according to insights shared by industry leaders in a recent discussion hosted by the Association of Medical Insurers and Intermediaries (amii). The issue was explored in the latest episode of amii’s Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast. Host Dave Middleton, Executive Chair of amii, welcomedMatthew Reed, CEO of Equipsme, a UK-based health and wellbeing provider offering flexible private medical insurance designed to support growing businesses. During the episode, Matthew reflects on his varied career, from serving in the Royal Navy and working with the United Nations to senior leadership roles at AXA in the UK and internationally, and how those experiences influenced the founding of Equipsme.  The episode explores how Equipsme has responded to changing employer expectations around health and wellbeing, positioning its products to reflect what businesses and employees actually need. With only one employee ever leaving the company, who has since returned, Matthew also explains how aligning values and culture has been key to long-term employee engagement and retention.  During the episode, Matthew shares the realities of growing a business in a difficult market, including making personal sacrifices to keep the organisation moving forward and maintaining credibility through consistency and transparency. He highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive partners and networks, noting that resilience is rarely built in isolation.

In this episode, Dave Middleton, Executive Chair of amii, talks with Professor Gordon Wishart, Founder and CEO of Check4Cancer, about the growing challenge of cancer in the UK workforce. Professor Wishart, who spent many years running the breast unit in Cambridge, explains how cancer incidence continues rising due to an ageing population and increasingly unhealthy lifestyles, yet infrastructure for diagnosis and treatment hasn't kept pace. The result is longer waits, later diagnoses, and poorer survival outcomes, with GPs effectively forced into a rationing role that delays access to diagnostic services.The podcast explores why cancer screening remains the most sought-after employee benefit across all generations. Dave recounts an unexpected moment years ago when an employee, having just disclosed their cancer diagnosis, immediately worried about financial security—a conversation that caught him completely unprepared. Professor Wishart outlines the three pillars of effective early detection: education about signs and symptoms; prevention through screening programmes; and rapid diagnosis pathways. He discusses Check4Cancer's My Cancer Risk platform, which identifies the highest-risk 20% of employees for funded screening, with companies typically seeing 40% workforce engagement and 70% screening uptake amongst those at higher risk.The discussion explores lifestyle factors, with Professor Wishart noting that 40% of UK cancers are preventable. Obesity emerges as a particular concern for bowel and post-menopausal breast cancer, whilst the conversation touches on ultra-processed foods and their possible link to rising cancer rates in younger people. When Dave questions whether risks of weight-loss medications outweigh their benefits, Professor Wishart argues that for those with severe obesity, the risk of doing nothing likely exceeds medication concerns. The episode concludes with recognition that cancer screening has moved from nice-to-have to essential workforce management, as employers increasingly fill gaps left by stretched NHS capacity.

In this episode, Dave Middleton, Executive Chair of amii, talks with Dominique Kent, CEO of Bluecrest Wellness, who reveals some alarming statistics about the state of health literacy in the United Kingdom. Dominique discusses the company's recent health literacy survey, which found that the average health literacy level in the UK population is equivalent to that of a 7-year-old child, which highlights a significant gap in public understanding of basic health concepts, despite major NHS campaigns on nutrition and wellbeing. The podcast explores Bluecrest's mission to deliver personalised health monitoring in an affordable, accessible manner, with the company having already served vital health insights to nearly a million people since its inception. Dominique also dives into the company's whitepaper, "Prevention and a New Frontier for Wellbeing," which identifies critical concerns about delayed diagnoses and assessments within the NHS.

In this episode, Dave Middleton interviews Mark Stephenson, CEO of Reframe Cancer, about cancer support and the urgent need for improved early diagnosis pathways.Mark discusses why there's a need for businesses like Reframe Cancer, which addresses those critical gaps in early diagnosis and support, and the UK's slow early pathway detection rates show room for improvement. A recent workplace survey suggests 1.1 million people are currently balancing work while caring for family members with cancer, among 3.5 million total cancer patients in the UK. The findings reveal that many organisations often lack proper HR policies for cancer-related situations, impacting both patient recovery and workplace reintegration.The Reframe Cancer services help employees and employers navigate the complexities of cancer care, from diagnosis to return-to-work support.

In this episode, Dave Middleton interviews Ryan Hopkins, Chief Impact Officer at JAAQ, about workplace wellbeing and industry trends. Ryan shares his extensive background in wellbeing consultancy, including his experience at Deloitte and his personal journey through mental health challenges. He discusses the importance of creating supportive work environments rather than just implementing wellbeing solutions. Ryan emphasises that wellbeing is about individual life satisfaction, while wellness is about pursuing optimal health. Ryan provides insights into measuring wellbeing effectiveness through analytics and shares success stories, including a 6.9% reduction in mental health absence at NatWest. Ryan also discusses trends in workplace wellbeing, including the evolution of AI in mental health support, the importance of data analytics, and the growing focus on intersectional wellbeing issues beyond anxiety and depression.  If you enjoy this episode and want to find out more about Ryan you can use this link https://linktr.ee/theryanhopkins

In this latest episode, amii host Dave Middleton engages in an enlightening conversation with Heather Smith, CEO of AXA Health, exploring her remarkable journey through the insurance industry and her perspectives on leadership. Hear about Heather's early career experiences and the importance of resilience and determination in environments where female leadership was scarce. Heather shares her views on the progression of maternity leave policies, parental support and the significance of fostering workplace diversity across all dimensions, from varied perspectives and backgrounds to gender representation. She touches on the gender health gap and her views on the employers' vital role in addressing it and believes that creating a workplace where every voice matters, especially for those who might not naturally speak up, is fundamental to building successful, innovative teams.

In this episode, Dr. Amy Pressland, Talent Development Manager at Benenden Health, discusses the gender health gap with Dave Middleton, executive chair of amii and host of the podcast. The gender health gap refers to disparities in healthcare services that can disproportionately favour either men or women on a global scale. The report's findings, which involved interviews with 10,000 women, 5,000 female employees, and 1,000 business owners, revealed that the gap is notably skewed against women in the UK. The podcast touches on the gender pay gap, with Dr Amy providing some interesting statistical insight on this. In addition to how women experience high levels of discrimination, they also find managing periods, pregnancy, and menopause incredibly challenging at work in the UK, with a high percentage considering leaving the workforce altogether as a result. This topic applies to all people in the UK, as it shows the importance of creating a culture of care and trust in the workplace to support women and improve healthcare provision.

This episode features amii Executive Chair Dave Middleton talking with Belfast-born doctor Professor Willie Hamilton, CBE, MD, FRCP, FRCGP. With a specialism in primary care diagnostics and a particular expertise in cancer, Willie provides an in-depth understanding of cancer. His research has had a major impact on improving earlier diagnosis of cancer in the UK, which saves lives. Willie is also Chief Medical Officer at The Exeter and was awarded a CBE in 2019 for his services in improving early cancer diagnosis. In this podcast, Willie highlights the significance of early detection and that while screenings are beneficial, 95% of cancers are diagnosed through symptoms, underlining the importance of regular GP visits. He explores the various types of screenings and the emerging role of AI in cancer detection while reaffirming the ongoing need for human involvement. The podcast also delves into future possibilities, such as using pharmacy records to track health behaviour. Willie reminds listeners that completely eradicating cancer is unlikely in our lifetime. However, he encourages adopting healthy habits like quitting smoking, eating well, and exercising regularly. The podcast wraps up with a discussion on the much-needed support for families affected by cancer through GPs, charities, and clinical specialist nurses.

Hosted by Executive Chair of amii, Dave Middleton, the latest episode of the popular podcast series dives deep into the topic of high performance and addiction. Dave is joined by Simon Cusden, a former professional cricketer, who bravely opens up about his personal struggles with addiction. Simon shares the challenges he faced growing up, which likely contributed to his struggles with addiction. His battle with addiction began while in Australia for 12 years, involving a suicide attempt and alcohol dependency. After seeking help from the Player Cricketers Association (PCA) Simon is now seven years sober. He has returned to the UK and started freelancing, focusing on assisting high-performing individuals in senior leadership. Simon offers private coaching sessions and conducts webinars to share his personal experiences and insights. In the podcast, Simon highlights the importance of recognising and nurturing various aspects of our lives that contribute to overall wellbeing, including mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, relational, financial, and environmental dimensions. Reflecting on his experience, Simon Cusden shares: "I've learned that the most important thing is self-reflection and know that addiction isn't a problem. Instead, it's only a solution to a problem.” “I have been on an incredible journey of self-discovery and growth, and I have come to realise that effective communication is the cornerstone of overcoming any challenge, which is the fundamental principle I impart to my clients, enabling them to overcome obstacles successfully.” Dave Middleton said: “It was great to speak to Simon, whose story serves as a powerful reminder that addiction can affect anyone, regardless of their background or achievements.” “I invite everyone to listen to Simon’s inspiring journey and the insightful discussion we had. It is an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and find inspiration for personal and professional growth.”

The amii Talking Health & Wellbeing podcast series sees amii Chair Dave Middleton in conversation with Jonathan Roomer, co-founder of YuLife. This podcast explores how YuLife uses AI, from the basic elements of monitoring user behaviour when engaging with the YuLife app and the obvious day-to-day efficiencies through ChatGPT to the other end of the spectrum where they are validating an AI model with the University of Essex, which identifies a risk score for an entire workforce which then monitors user health behaviour to influence behaviour change and health improvement.   Dave and Johnathan explore other ways in which AI is used within YuLife and how, while it is inevitable that the underwriting process will eventually be AI-driven, it should be seen as something that produces data to help inform decisions. It cannot replace humans because data does not factor in the commercial/ethical reasons you might want to consider. The podcast also explores how AI can help get ideas or start points for both writing and imagery, however, it should not be relied upon as the final product, and how challenging it can be to spot disinformation. David and Jonathon also discussed the fear that many people have that artificial intelligence will take their jobs or reduce employment and how the hiring process may change as AI becomes more prevalent. They believe that people who become comfortable using AI now will be the ones benefitting from it in the workplace in the future.

In this episode, amii Chair Dave Middleton focuses on how our mental health is affected by overuse of technology in a conversation with Dr Phil Hopley, Managing Director of Cognacity - a Harley Street clinic that provides psychological and psychiatric services to individuals and organisations.   Phil explains that in recent years, he has seen a significant rise in negative mental health, particularly among teenagers and young people, which coincides with the increasing influence of social media on our lives. He discusses mindfulness techniques to switch off from the technology we use every day in our working and personal lives.   Phil also advises on how to avoid burnout and optimise human performance and productivity in the workplace, drawing on his experience working with the McLaren Formula One team to help them consistently reach peak performance without compromising their mental health away from the sport.  

In this episode, amii Chair Dave Middleton focuses on how to deal with a life-threatening condition in a conversation with Athos Rushovich, Director of Specialist Health Sales and Dedicated Distribution at Vitality.   Having completed dozens of marathons and ultramarathons in his life, Athos has always been an active person. However, he was rocked in early 2021 when he was told that he needed a triple heart bypass due to a condition he believes he inherited from his father and grandfather.   Athos talks about resilience and his attitude towards it pre and post-surgery, his push to reinvent himself during his recovery and his determination to return to his former self having run two marathons since surgery. Athos also discusses attitudes towards mental health, his own anxiety diagnosis and why he prioritises happiness as the most important commodity in his life.

The Association of Medical Insurers and Intermediaries (amii) has focused on neurodiversity in the latest episode of its new podcast. Talking Health & Wellbeing features major names in the health and wellbeing space in conversation with amii Chair David Middleton. The latest episode in discussion with Professor Amanda Kirby, Founder and CEO of Do-IT Solutions and Chair of the ADHD Foundation, focuses on neurodiversity at home and in the workplace.  Amanda has lectured to more than 100,000 individuals worldwide, written over 100 research papers, and become internationally recognised in the field of neurodiversity. In this Podcast, David and Amanda talk about how the workplace can benefit from neurodiverse employees. They discuss how employers can adopt inclusive practices to support neurodiverse people to ensure they do not feel marginalised in the workplace, which includes a candidate’s performance at an interview being used to measure their suitability for a job that may not require strong social skills or the ability to answer questions. They talk about the nuances of language both in the workplace and in the earlier years when discussing the development of children. Amanda shares her story about qualifying as a GP and why she changed career when her second child was diagnosed with Dyspraxia aged three. Her experience as a parent finding her way around the health and educational system led to her starting up an interdisciplinary specialist centre for parents and children to be able to provide practical, robust support. David said: “It is clear that while we have made progress with inclusive workplaces and education settings, there is still a long way to go to ensure neurodiverse people are supported adequately. It might be the case that employers don’t even realise they are not being inclusive and my discussion with Amanda highlights that we need to improve awareness and training to ensure all bases are covered, from the interview process through to the working environment and access to support.” amii is the voice of intermediaries and insurer members promoting and advising on health insurance, protection and well-being services to individuals and companies.

In this episode amii chair Dave Middleton focuses on male mental health and, in particular suicide, in an inspiring and emotional conversation with former journalist Mike McCarthy. For over 36 years Mike reported on headline stories across the world, notching up hundreds of appearances on the BBC and Sky News. Some of his riskier assignments saw him covering masked rioters looting in Manchester, and the frontlines of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, none of these experiences prepared him for the ordeal of losing his son, Ross, to suicide in February 2021. Ross had battled depression for a decade when he died; he left a young son, a fiancée, and a heartfelt request that his family campaign for better mental health support. Mike is committed to honouring Ross’ final wish and is spearheading the UK’s biggest suicide awareness and prevention campaign Baton of Hope  Suicide is the biggest killer of men and women under 35 in the UK. Seventeen people will die by suicide today… tomorrow… and the day after that. More than in traffic accidents. More than from cancer. And every single one is potentially preventable. #passiton In this podcast Mike talks movingly about his son, why attitudes and policies around suicide need to change and the Baton of Hope campaign.

Talking Health & Wellbeing features major names in the health and wellbeing space in conversation with amii chair David Middleton. The series launched with a discussion on the future use of technology and data in the health and well-being space with Iain McMillan, Director of Distribution at Bupa. Iain predicts that wearable technology may at some stage provide reports directly to GPs and health insurance companies and that voice technology – such as Alexa – could be used in flagging up potential mental health issues. The podcast also features a discussion around how the future of medicine will be driven by data and analytics with advances in technology, biology, genomics and precision medicine set to revolutionise our understanding and approach to health and continue the trend towards personalised healthcare. David and Iain also look towards the future of workplace wellbeing and the kind of data that could be collected from smartphones, apps and wearables to advance physical health and support people's energy levels and mood management.

Find out all about Talking Health and Wellbeing, the AMII Podcast