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

Phil explains that in recent years, he has seen a significant rise in

Phil also advises on how to avoid burnout and optimise human performance

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