Richard Jones, Head of Intelligence and Analytics at Liverpool City Council, writes about the Impact of COVID-19 on health in the city and debunks some conspiracy theories. We are all fed up with COVID. It has dominated work, it’s all we talk about (let’s be honest, it’s the only thing to talk about), it’s disrupted … Read more
Terry Whalley, testing director for Cheshire and Merseyside, explains why the city’s mass-testing pilot is so important. We are now into another period of national lockdown. I know that for the people of Merseyside, that might not seem hugely different to what we have all been enduring in Tier 3 for the last few weeks. … Read more
Director of Public Health Matthew Ashton explains why mass testing is so important for Liverpool…. Since March, we have lost more than 600 people to Covid in Liverpool. Hundreds of families have prematurely said goodbye to close relatives and friends. Many didn’t even get the chance to say a final farewell in person because they … Read more
Beryl Bellew is a founding volunteer at the North Liverpool Foodbank. Since the introduction of lockdown, Beryl has had to take a step back from the project she helped to create to shield from coronavirus. Now, as lockdown eases, Beryl is gradually returning to her former duties and provides us with this month’s instalment of the … Read more
Director of Public Health Matt Ashton reflects on the latest position regarding coronavirus… There are grounds for some cautious optimism around the infection rate in Liverpool. Since a peak of 3,282 cases in the seven days up until 11 October, we have seen a drop in the number of people testing positive for Covid19. For … Read more
Earlier this year, Liverpool’s ‘100 Day Challenge’ gave teams of frontline staff the chance to work together, across organisations, with three local communities to make positive change happen, fast. It was seen as a ‘launchpad’ to a new way of working. Then lockdown hit. What happened next? InFebruary of this year, we wrote about how the … Read more
Public Mental Health Lead Sue Neely on the post-natal depression that left her feeling like a bad mum — and how to deal with the demands of bringing up baby during a pandemic… “Becoming a mother — particularly for the first time — is one of those life events which many women recall with fondness and nostalgia. … Read more
Director of Public Health Matt Ashton explains why the Covid-19 situation in Liverpool is a real cause for concern. The Covid-19 situation in Liverpool continues to escalate quickly – and today it has been officially been announced that the region will be placed on the very high third-tier lockdown. We have now had over 3,000 … Read more
These first seven months of the Covid-19 crisis and the consequences have hit Liverpool hard. Really hard. Many businesses have closed and many people have lost their jobs. It’s also been a very difficult time for many families and individuals. We are now seeing the true impact of the austerity measures, cuts to public health … Read more
“Sir Phil Redmond – congratulations and about time! Many years ago Phil stood on the steps of the arena, relayed his now famous scouse wedding line about European Capital of Culture and dared the media to ignore the city and the incredible twelve-month programme which had been painstakingly planned. It worked. The sniping stopped and … Read more
Phil Redmond. For many in this country that name will forever be synonymous with gripping TV drama. The newly knighted writer and producer etched his name into TV folklore through a string of shows, which for the past four and half decades have consistently put a mirror up to the nation and reflected back all … Read more
Director of Culture Liverpool, Claire McColgan, shares her thoughts on the day of Act One of The Good Business Festival “So, it’s the day of Act One of The Good Business Festival and I’m listening to the radio and there is the constant cloud of full lockdown looming and the desperation of businesses not knowing where to turn … Read more
Beryl Bellew is a founding volunteer at the North Liverpool Foodbank. Since the introduction of lockdown, Beryl has had to take a step back from the project she helped to create to shield from coronavirus. Now, as lockdown eases, Beryl is gradually returning to her former duties and provides us with this month’s instalment of the … Read more
Director of Public Health, Matt Ashton, was asked what he thinks could help deal with the divide we are seeing in people’s attitude towards Covid-19, past, present & future. Here’s his 10 point plan… Set objectives – be absolutely explicit on what is it we are trying to achieve. Clarity of message – what do … Read more
Liverpool City Council is currently consulting on a new landlord licensing scheme. Private Sector Housing Manager Louise Connelly explains why it is so important for the city. Imagine living with a young family in a damp property which leaking windows, a clapped-out boiler, dangerous electrics and a heartless landlord who is happy to take your … Read more
Director of Public Health for Liverpool, Matt Ashton, outlines his thoughts on how we should respond to the coronavirus pandemic, as the rules around what we can and cannot do become more restrictive. A whole population approach Herd immunity is a non-starter Health and the economy go hand in hand We should be as proactive … Read more
“It’s strange how your career can come full circle. I have worked in Liverpool 8 as a youth worker, dance teacher and a creative producer, working closely with the community, young and old, on many diverse projects in various venues across the patch. In a past life I was the Director of South Liverpool Arts … Read more
In the first of a monthly blog series, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health Matt Ashton explains why conspiracy theories about coronavirus are an unhelpful and dangerous distraction. One of the most positive yet at the same time depressing aspects of social media is that you get instant feedback on your work. And over the last … Read more
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day – an awareness day to provide commitment and action – to prevent suicides. A key aspect of suicide prevention is looking after our mental health, including talking about our issues, and seeking support when we require it. Craig Adley-Sweeney, Technical Compliance Officer in the Private Sector Housing Licensing team, … Read more
We became part of the DCMS Testbed & Trials Programme in March 2018 delivering the Liverpool 5G Health and Social Care Testbed. This project highlighted the barrier that digital poverty had on both care providers and residents who would benefit from technology in the home, but did not have access to affordable connectivity. Our testbed … Read more