Weekly update from Cheshire and Merseyside’s Directors of Public Health – 16th July 2021

The Cheshire & Merseyside (C&M) Directors of Public Health (DsPH) currently meet weekly. The key messages from the 16^th July meeting are as follows:

1. New C&M DsPH joint statement for 19^th July – DsPH approved a joint statement containing guidance for those living and working in C&M from 19^th July. Read the statement here.
2. Post 19^th July guidance – The DsPH discussed the guidance being issued and it was agreed to raise key questions for clarification on the forthcoming Chief Medical Officer’s call.
3. System P intelligence led system – Joe Rafferty, CEO of Mersey Care presented the initial plans for the development of System P which will use integrated NHS, local authority and public health data to produce strategic and tactical intelligence to better target resources, particularly in tackling inequalities. The DsPH supported the system and will be part of a specialist advisory group set up to look at priorities, linking in with the Marmot team recommendations which are due next week.
4. PHE COVID-19 update – Evdokia Dardamissis from PHE North West updated that cases continue to rise in C&M with cases in younger people appearing to plateau. Hospital admissions are increasing but deaths are low. There are regular outbreaks in care homes, prisons, schools and workplaces. Evdokia raised the importance of students being vaccinated over the summer and winter planning. The Champs support team is working on a draft plan for DsPH regarding living with Covid.
5. Good news and gratitude – The DsPH shared items of good news:

• The new ‘Lower my drinking’ app successfully launched this week with good partner engagement. More information on the campaign and assets are available on the Trello Board here
• The second phase of social media activity for the ‘Spread the facts, not the virus’ campaign finished this week. This phase targeted 18-40 year olds with vaccination and testing messages. This phase has resulted in 3.9m impressions and 214k video views across social channels. To download the tool kit and promote the campaign visit www.spreadthefacts.co.uk
• The LCR wealth and wellbeing bid was shortlisted and presented to the Health Foundation this week, the outcome of which is expected next week.
• The four expressions of interest submitted to the ICS for prevention projects are currently being considered for a funding award.