The Cheshire & Merseyside (C&M) Directors of Public Health (DsPH) met for their weekly call on Friday 17 July. The key points are as follows:
C&M early warning system for COVID-19 – The DsPH reviewed a paper by Dr Sam Ghebrehewet from PHE around an early warning system for COVID-19 to ensure C&M authorities are quickly alerted to any potential rise in cases. A process for further investigation and enhanced action with PHE was also supported, should the agreed thresholds be met.
New case management system – Ravi Menghani from the Champs support team presented a paper on the new case management system for the C&M Test and Trace Hub and local authorities in C&M. There will be a demonstration of the system on Monday 20 July.
COVID-19 Data – A Test and Trace dashboard for C&M is being considered by the intelligence network and a shared approach to public facing data.
Champs Collaborative end of year report and finance report – DsPH reviewed the Champs Collaborative end of year performance report and commented on the rich content and congratulated everyone from across C&M who had contributed to collaborative projects. In light of COVID, a review will take place of the collaborative programmes going forward. The Collaborative finance report was discussed and approved.
Communications for Test and Trace -The DsPH received a copy of the C&M Test and Trace draft communications strategy, produced by Dan Grice. It was suggested that it would also be helpful to have a communications framework with national and local resources available via the Champs website aligned with the Outbreak Management Framework.
The DsPH shared items of good news and gratitude:
- Sue Forster shared that DsPH will now receive access to individual data for all testing, positive or negative, from w/c 20 July.
- Eileen O’Meara updated that Dr Mel Roche from the Champs support team has been asked to join the national CVD Prevention leadership group in recognition of the work in C&M.
- Matt Ashton thanked all involved in the new LJMU impacts of COVID report which was sent out last week.
- Julie Webster thanked Adam Major from the Champs support team for his work over the last 7 years as he moves onto the public health consultant training scheme in Dorset.
