Champs Public Health Collaborative Directors Board Meeting | Key messages | April 2026

The Cheshire and Merseyside Directors of Public Health met for their board meeting on Friday, 24^th April 2026. The key messages from the meeting are below, along with items of good news and gratitude.

Director updates and key decisions

1. Year‑end review and assurance
   Directors approved the end of year finance paper, risk register and performance dashboard, providing assurance on financial position, risk management and delivery against priorities.
2. Lead roles for Directors and Communities of Practice
   Directors reviewed a paper outlining individual lead roles and the Communities of Practice (CoPs) operating across Cheshire and Merseyside. It was agreed to work with CoP leads to strengthen their visibility and connectivity. Directors also supported exploring options for a shared digital space or knowledge hub to improve collaboration, learning and resource sharing across the system.
3. Public Health Workforce Wellbeing and Development
   Directors received an update on the Collaborative’s workforce wellbeing and development programme, alongside a presentation on the new Connect, Learn, Thrive model. Directors welcomed the model and noted that Connect, Learn, Thrive will be officially launched at a dedicated online event in June. Thanks were given to the Champs Collaborative Workforce Wellbeing and Development Group.

The Directors also reviewed the Collaborative end of year report for 2025-26 and wish to thank colleagues and partners for their contribution. Key highlights include:

1. Reducing health inequalities – All Together Fairer (ATF)
   The flagship All Together Fairer programme continues to drive action on health inequalities. The Marmot principles have been formally endorsed by the new Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority, alongside a clear commitment from the Liverpool City Region Mayor, demonstrating strong political leadership and alignment at system level.
2. All Together Neighbourhoods
   The ATF Neighbourhoods Framework was developed to support the creation of holistic local, place-based neighbourhood health plans. This approach has attracted national interest, including from the NHS Confederation, the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH), positioning Cheshire and Merseyside as a leader in holistic neighbourhood health working.
3. Action to reduce child and family poverty
   The Collaborative welcomed the National Child Poverty Unit to Cheshire and Merseyside, with our approach referenced in the national strategy and acknowledged with thanks from the Prime Minister. Free school meals auto-enrolment has been implemented across several areas, benefiting 1,765 children to date and improving access to vital support.
4. Helping smokers to quit – All Together Smoke Free
   The All Together Smoke Free programme launched successfully, alongside the public-facing campaign ‘Smoking Ends Here’, which generated over 100,000 website visits directing people to stop smoking support. The programme has strongly advocated for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, achieving significant media coverage featuring young people who stand to benefit. Smoke-free spaces guidance and assets have now been rolled out across all NHS Trusts and Local Authorities in the sub-region.
5. Preventing suicide and self-harm
   Working in partnership with the LGA, through the suicide prevention Sector Led Improvement (SLI) programme, key recommendations will inform the new Cheshire and Merseyside strategy. New self-harm resources have been developed and implemented, and the QES suspected suicide real-time surveillance portal has been introduced to strengthen early intelligence and response.
6. Protecting health over winter
   The Simple Things winter health campaign was delivered for the fourth consecutive year, this year reaching 998,000 young people and families, supporting prevention and early action during periods of increased risk.
7. Reducing alcohol harm
   Over 4,000 fibroscans were completed across more than 100 sites in Cheshire and Merseyside, targeting the hardest-to-reach communities. The new Drink Free Days app campaign was launched, in partnership with DHSC, supporting preventative behaviour change.
8. Healthy advertising policy in action
   Momentum continues to build behind the healthy advertising policy, with 8 out of 9 local authorities now adopting the collective sub-regional approach, alongside adoption by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
9. Developing the public health workforce
   A comprehensive CPD learning programme has supported workforce development and the launch of two new pilots for those seeking specialist portfolio registration and leader as coach. The Kind to Your Mind website continues to promote wellbeing and support retention across the public health workforce.
10. Recognition and awards
    Colleagues and partners across the Collaborative received national recognition during the year, including awards for two Directors, Helen Bromley and Margaret Jones. There have also been contributions to national conferences and publications, with organisations including the LGA and IHE, which reflects the leadership and innovation being delivered across Cheshire and Merseyside.

Directors noted that a summary of the full annual report will be published for colleagues and partners. This will highlight the Collaborative’s key achievements and set out Directors’ commitments and priorities for 2026–27.

Good news and gratitude

The Directors also shared items of good news and gratitude:

• The Directors welcomed Claire McIver, new Director of Public Health for Cheshire East, to her first Board meeting and Rory McGill to his first meeting in his official post as Director of Public Health in Sefton.
• The Directors gave thanks to Rod Thomson, who was the interim Director of Public Health at Cheshire East Council, for his leadership and wish him well as he leaves Cheshire East in the next few months.
• Knowsley have appointed a new Children and Young People Consultant and are currently recruiting to a Health Protection Lead post.
• Warrington’s public health team recently hosted a positive public health process assurance visit with Andrew Furber, DHSC and their Chief Executive.
• A member of Wirral’s research team has just won a national award in recognition of their work on access for those seeking asylum.
• Warrington worked in partnership with Mersey Care to submit a joint bid for a Creative Health Lead and have been invited to a final interview as one of only 15 applicants across the country.
• The Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority held their first meeting.