Professor Chris Whitty

Water and sewage are critical infrastructure for public health. The Independent Water Commission final report makes important recommendations including on specific public health targets. gov.uk/government/pub…

Air pollution is a major threat to health including asthma, heart disease, stroke and cancer. It has improved over several decades but we can reduce it, and the diseases it causes, significantly. This Royal College of Physicians report lays out the harms and things we can do.

Improving health for future patients and future generations depends on medical research, and that depends on data. The Health Data Research Service will bring health data together and allow scientists to understand, prevent and develop new treatments for diseases more quickly.

The Medical Training Review call for evidence is now open. A lot has changed since the last major look at training. We need to balance often competing needs at different stages of our careers. Please share your view on what we should change, and keep.

5-year survival for breast cancer is 98% if diagnosed at Stage 1 and 89.5% at Stage 2 (out of 4 stages). Early diagnosis through screening means treatment is less invasive and more effective. Please take up your screening invitation; it makes a major difference to outcomes.

Influenza is now rising rapidly. Antiviral 'flu medicines can now be used in primary care. If you are eligible please get vaccinated. For healthcare workers, being vaccinated helps protect you, your patients and colleagues. gov.uk/government/sta…

Folic acid is important before and during pregnancy. Folate will be added to flour but women should still take supplements to reduce the risk of birth defects. UK Chief Medical, Nursing and Midwifery Officers have sent guidance to health professionals. gov.uk/government/pub…

MPs vote on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill today Cigarettes trap people by addiction taking choice away; many die as a result. Secondhand smoke inhaled by non-smokers harms them without their choice Vapes can help smokers quit but marketing vapes at children is utterly unacceptable

Secondhand smoke harms children and medically vulnerable adults. Most smokers wish they had never started but were trapped by addiction at a young age. Marketing vapes at children is utterly unacceptable. A new Bill in Parliament will address these. gov.uk/government/spe…

Norovirus is common, highly infectious, can cause serious and unpleasant illness, closes hospital wards especially over winter and is a risk to care homes. A norovirus vaccine, if effective, would be a major step forward. Thank you to those taking part in and running this trial

The UK CMOs, DCMOs and NHSE National Medical Director have given advice to help doctors wanting to take part in the national debate on assisted dying. Please see the letter below: gov.uk/government/pub…

I am immensely proud that the NHS I work in is one of the most multi-ethnic and diverse organisations in the world. NHS colleagues and emergency workers from many countries and faiths work around the clock to serve every UK community. You have my utmost appreciation and respect.

One of the great health achievements of the last 170 years was separating human faeces from water. This Royal Academy of Engineering report shows how we can reduce human faecal organisms in recreational water from storm overflows and sewage works. nepc.raeng.org.uk/testing-the-wa…

All health professions are clear that smoking causes multiple harms throughout life including stillbirths, lung disease, heart disease, stroke and dementia. 1 in 4 cancer deaths are caused by smoking. Most smokers regret starting. This Bill, if passed, will save lives.