The Cheshire and Merseyside Directors of Public and Population Health met for their system leadership meeting on Friday, 13th February 2026. The key messages from the meeting are below, along with items of good news and gratitude.
- Food Active update – Nicola Calder shared highlights of their work programmes around policy, training and campaigns, research and events. Directors were invited to feed in any future priorities. Appreciation given to Nicola and the team.
- All Together Fairer (ATF) Neighbourhoods – Rory McGill, DPH Sefton, presented the guiding principles of ATF Neighbourhoods at the C&M Neighbourhood Health Oversight Group. Strong endorsement received. Next version will include local examples. Thanks to Rory, Mike Bridges in Warrington and the team.
- Devolution and ATF – C&W progressing plans to embed Marmot principles following Shadow CA Board agreement. LCR working with Public Teams on the Housing Strategy and seeking formal endorsement to embed Marmot principles.
- Population health update – The 5‑year commissioning strategy and health improvement plan has been shared; final version due end of March. Engagement with Health and Wellbeing Boards is underway. Directors asked to share feedback.
- UKHSA update – Flu rates are falling; Covid stable. Norovirus remains higher than previous years despite reductions. Travel advice issued following Shigella/Salmonella cases in Cape Verde. Further advice shared on farm visits, hand hygiene and NHS support.
- Good news and gratitude:
- New Champs Directors’ Tobacco and Vapes Bill joint statement has been issued to the media.
- Liverpool has launched ‘Fast Track Cities+’ to recommit to ending HIV, Hepatitis and Tuberculosis.
- Congratulations to Simon Bellin Liverpool appointed Chair of the new English 0 to 19 Group, in addition to James Woolgar who is the current Chair of the English Sexual Health Group and George Lock from Sefton recently appointed Vice Chair.
- Congratulations to the Warrington Living Well community website, shortlisted in two HSJ digital award categories.
- The Wirral Public Health Annual report has been published, with a focus on housing and health.
- Wirral Qualitative’ s Insight repository launched with a toolkit for the voluntary sector and wider partners.
- Simple Things winter health campaign reached over 900k people via Meta and Tik Tok and over 22k+ website clicks.
- Helen Bromley took part in a live emergency planning exercise with a focus on a gas/methane leak and invited Lucy Hill in her Champs Support Team Health Protection Lead role.
