Preventing infections in older people is hit and miss, says England’s chief medic

Chris Whitty said handwashing and careful preparation of food were among the actions people could take to protect themselves from infections. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA

The medical profession must do more to prevent and manage infections in elderly people as the current methods are “hit and miss”, the chief medical officer for England has said.

Writing in his annual report for 2025, Prof Chris Whitty said preventing and treating infections had led to “extraordinary improvements in life expectancy over the last 150 years”.