Obesity and efficiency ‘must be key NHS aims’

Combating the trend towards increasing obesity must be a priority if the NHS is to fulfil its aim of becoming a world leader in healthcare, it has been suggested.

Productivity must also increase to reflect recent increases in pay, according to Sir Derek Wanless, who unveils his report on the service today.

Sir Derek, former chief at NatWest, was commissioned by the King’s Fund health thinktank to evaluate the performance of the NHS over the last five years.

His findings suggest that tackling obesity and increasing productivity should be the two main points of focus for the NHS if it is to achieve government expectations.

“What is clear from this review is that we are not on course to deliver the sustainable and world-class health care system, and ultimately healthier nation, that we all desire,” Sir Derek asserts.

In 2005 Wanless was also selected to review the care of the elderly, in a report that the BBC asserted would “map out a blueprint” for care services over the next 20 years.