The Cheshire and Merseyside (C&M) Directors of Public Health (DsPH) currently meet weekly. The key messages from the 29th October COVID-19 response meeting are as follows:
- UKHSA COVID-19 update – In Cheshire and Merseyside, cases are levelling off in some areas but others are slightly higher so showing a mixed picture. Some Cheshire and Merseyside local authorities have higher case rates than the North West average. Case rates are highest in 10-14 year olds, then 15-19 year olds but adults (mostly females) are also increasing in numbers. Over 60s are also increasing and it is important that this group receive the booster vaccination. The latest evidence review on the effectiveness of face coverings was also discussed and shared.
- Tackling health inequalities across the North – Thara Raj, DPH Warrington, spoke at the Great Northern conference on 28 October in Sheffield on her reflections as a DPH on the National Health Sciences Alliance (NHSA) report “A Year of Covid in the North: Regional Inequalities in the health and economic outcomes.” Thara joined Professor Clare Bambra, one of the report authors and Dr Seamus O’Neill CEO of the NHSA in a breakout session on tackling health inequalities. The conference is in its third year and brings together the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. Cllr Louise Gittins and Mayor Steve Rotherham also spoke at the event.
- Good news and gratitude
- Congratulations to Cheshire East Council on their recent award for their online health and wellbeing system MyCareView. The collaborative project with Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (NHS) and the Cheshire East Partnership won in the category of Patient Facing Digital Solutions at the Health Tech Awards 2021.
- Champs Public Health Collaborative’s new style newsletter has gained over 700 new readers since launch as well as increased open and click through rates, demonstrating more and more people are engaging with the content.
- Richard Jarvis has been successful in his secondment to join the Workforce Team at the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) for six-months. Congratulations from all the DsPH and thank you for all your support.