The Cheshire and Merseyside Directors of Public Health currently meet fortnightly. The key messages from the 19th August 2022 meeting are as follows:
1. UKHSA Update
- The number of Monkeypox cases are increasing in the North West and work is being done with partners at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside to ensure that a targeted vaccination programme is in-place as soon as possible, given challenges with global demand.
- Case numbers for COVID-19 are currently falling, with upcoming changes in testing potentially impacting surveillance. UKHSA will continue to monitor the situation going into the winter months.
2. Champs Public Health Collaborate CEO Report
- DsPH commented on the significant progress made by the Collaborative and the multiple successes outlined in an upcoming report to Cheshire and Merseyside Local Authority Chief Executives. It was acknowledged that this work would not have taken place if not for the incredibly talented and passionate public health workforce in the subregion who drive this forward every single day.
3. Winter Wellbeing Campaign
- A new bespoke campaign is being developed for Cheshire and Merseyside to encourage the general public and businesses to reduce the spread of infectious respiratory diseases over the winter period and remind them of the small, but powerful behaviours that can make a difference. The campaign is due to go live at the end of September or early October.
4. Good News and Gratitude
- The DsPH congratulated Dave Bradburn on his appointment as Director of Public Health for Wirral, who will take up the post following Julie Webster’s retirement in September. Dave is currently Acting Deputy Director of Public Health/Consultant in Public Health at Warrington Borough Council, where he’s worked since April 2013.
- Dr Paul Richardson, Clinical Director at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, was interviewed on BBC Radio Merseyside to promote the Lower My Drinking app. Listen here (login required – starts at 26:33).
- The NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board meeting was recently held in St Helens which offered the opportunity to showcase the wide variety of services offered by Public Health.