Chris Whitty has steered the UK’s public-health response as CMO since 2019, previously serving as Chief Scientific Adviser for the DHSC and head of NIHR.
The NHS has announced it is preparing for intensified pressure this summer as extreme heat drives up emergency visits. England faces higher heat-related deaths and hospital strain, with authorities urging public vigilance for vulnerable groups and investments in cooling and resilience.
Public health authorities push for tougher controls on unhealthy food, banning fast-food outlets near schools, cracking down on junk-food advertising, and mandating healthy-food reporting. MPs argue prevention must come before treatment as obesity costs rise and NHS pressures mount. Several reports underline consumer demand for healthier choices and better access to affordable, local food.