EPISODE 52
NOTE: This episode was originally recorded in March 2025
We’re told to “trust the NHS” and “trust the science” – but what does that even mean in a broken system full of quick fixes…
This week, I’m sitting down with NHS GP Dr Mike Banna to go inside the high-pressure environment affected by political shake-ups, waiting lists and a service that’s been running in crisis mode for over a decade.
Mike pulls apart the hype around Ozempic and GLP‑1 weight-loss injections, the moral judgement baked into obesity conversations, and why misinformation might be one of the biggest threats to your health in the modern age.
Dr Mike joins Ty Temel on episode 52 of the Off Script podcast to share:
How the NHS really works from the inside, from constant crisis and staff shortages to “taking back control” of NHS England
The rise of Ozempic and GLP‑1 drugs, and the moral judgement we attach to people using them
Why misinformation and polarising online health content may be one of the biggest current threats to our health
The truth behind “Health at Every Size” and how to separate health behaviours from weight obsession and shame
How your algorithm quietly rewires how you see your body and your life
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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
“The thing about the NHS is we either have an NHS or we don't. We either look after everybody or we don't. It's very difficult to try and do any sort of form of means testing.”
– Dr Mike Banna - 11:20
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“I don't remember a time during my career where we weren't under crisis or where you couldn't describe it as a crisis.” – Dr Mike Banna - 16:50
“I think misinformation is one of the biggest threats to our health at the moment.” – Dr Mike Banna - 30:35
“The trouble is that even in the face of misinformation, you can still succeed. And when you succeed based on misinformation, you then assume that that misinformation was correct.” – Dr Mike Banna - 32:30
“I don't think laziness is a helpful term to use for this sort of thing because what it doesn't take into account is actually the huge amount of societal influences that we have on what we consume and how we consume it.” - Dr Mike Banna - 47:10
“There are so many benefits to physical activity independent of weight loss that mean that we need to be encouraging people to still be physically active.” – Dr Mike Banna - 50:20
“Why don't we just stop shaming people for what they're doing with their own bodies for their own health?” – Dr Mike Banna - 55:05
“In the olden days of social media, everyone who saw your stuff was people that followed you. There was a supportive, positive aspect to it. Now, the majority of people that are seeing this content are people that have never seen anything else that you've done. They are judging your entire existence based on five seconds, or a picture, or a caption.” – Dr Mike Banna
“When you don't have control over what you're consuming, I think that's where the problem comes.” – Dr Mike Banna - 1:21:15