Public health leaders believe that a report from a former banker has created a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to put the prevention of disease at the top of the agenda for the NHS and across government.

Derek Wanless, a former chief executive of the NatWest bank, was asked by the government to review the state of public health in England and to make recommendations for improving it. Significantly, he took his brief not from the Department of Health but from the Treasury.

Last week Mr Wanless called for an end to “30 years of talking” and the introduction of a coherent policy framework for public health. Mr Wanless also wants tough targets on smoking and obesity, for local government as well as the NHS. The government is to publish a white paper on public health this summer.

Securing Good Health for the Whole Population is …