Men’s health, addiction and the importance of speaking up

Rethinking workforce health in the face of rising inactivity

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 [https://amii.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/keep-britain-working-review-final-report.pdf]. To learn more about Simplyhealth, use this link [https://www.simplyhealth.co.uk/about-us]

Men’s health, addiction and the importance of speaking up

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.

The real impact of nutrition and physical activity on long-term health

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.

Why culture is now central to sustainable growth

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.

Early Cancer Detection and the Critical Role of Workplace Screening

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.