The government needs to end its preoccupation with targets in order to improve the nation's health, according to a report published on Thursday.

The King's Fund study concluded that a shift of emphasis towards prevention rather than cure was needed in the drive towards cutting obesity rates, smoking and sexually transmitted diseases.

The government's consultation on how best to tackle public health issues will have little impact unless there were moves away from an exclusive focus on treating conditions.

Launched last month the consultation will lead to a white paper in the summer.

Among its recommendations, the report called for the establishment of "health clubs" at which members of the public could receive information and advice on staying fit and healthily, as well as regular health check-ups and treatments.

Public health leaders, similar to "health mayors" in some European cities, should also be appointed.

"We need to develop a new kind of national health service that gives priority to promoting health rather than just caring for people when they become ill," said King's Fund chief executive Niall Dickson.

"We know a great deal about the extent and causes of ill health and have a range of well-intentioned policies for tackling them. The real challenge now is to make sure the right structures and incentives are in place across the system so that what we do really does make a difference."

Tory support

Shadow health secretary Tim Yeo backed the report.

"The Conservative Party has long been saying that the secretary of state should not micromanage the minutiae of the NHS but should be responsible for the nation’s health," he said.

"We also believe that the government must address the criticisms that the health select committee made in 2001 and ensure that their approach to public health is not fragmented or lacking in coherence. Unfortunately, as the Wanless report revealed, this is still the case.

"Last year, the Conservative Party set out their proposals to improve public health, the cornerstone of which will be a public health commissioner, who will be able to ensure a joined up, cross departmental approach to public health is delivered."