Over the past nine weeks, Lord Darzi, a widely respected surgeon and former health minister, has conducted a review that sets out the problems facing the National Health Service. His review concludes the that the NHS is in a 'critical condition'. His report will inform the government’s 10-year plan to reform the health service.

Commenting on the publication of the review, William Roberts FRSPH, Chief Executive, Royal Society for Public Health, said:

"Lord Darzi's investigation shows that our national health service is in crisis. This is having tragic consequences on people and communities across the country. To rebuild the NHS we need to move swiftly and decisively to put the Government's ambitions on prevention into practice.

Keeping people well, out of hospital, and off waiting lists is the single most effective way of reducing pressure on the health service. We already have the expertise at our disposal to bring preventative public health services into our communities.

It is welcome to see Lord Darzi's report recognises the importance of the prevention, protection and promotion of health. Importantly, it also acknowledges the impact of the cuts to the public health grant.

Now is the time for the Government to match it's commitment to prevention with action, and we look forward to them engaging with the entire public health community to develop these solutions as a central pillar of the ten year plan.

Investment in the public health workforce will payoff many times over. We've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. We all stand to benefit from living in a healthier society.

Helping people live their lives in better health will benefit individuals, our health service, and our economy which is straining under a workforce crisis caused by ill health."