Steve Brine - Social Policy and Inclusion

Today’s guest is Steve Brine, @BrineHealth, former Health Minister and Chair of the Health Select Committee, and co-host of the podcast, Prevention is the New Cure, @PreventionPodc.

Steve tells us about his journey into politics. His interest in the environment was sparked as a youngster, and he thought that politics might be the place to go if he wanted to change the world. On his arrival at the House of Commons when asked what he wanted to do, he said he was interested in health.  When Theresa May became Prime Minister, he became Public Health Minister.

We talk about how the world of politics and health worked, and some of the initiatives that Steve put into place during his time in the role. Interestingly, Steve explains how influence in politics works and differs depending on your job, and when chairing the Health Select Committee you are able to have significant influence on the agenda. He understands the value of primary care, and was instrumental in the development of Pharmacy First. He has also strongly campaigned for earlier cancer diagnosis. 

We have a conversation about the disparity in NHS funding between primary and secondary care. He certainly doesn’t believe it should be the way it is, and shares his thoughts on the conundrum that faces the government, and the difficult political conversations that are needed.

Steve also talks about how important integrated care is for us to be able to be as inclusive as possible. 

If you’d like to contact Steve:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-brine-00979b1a1/
X: https://x.com/BrineHealth
Website: https://www.stevebrine.com/

You can contact us at the following:
Dr Carol Sargent: https://sargentgroup.consulting/
Dr Tom Adler: https://getbide.com/