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Advice for parents: vaccinations and meningitis awareness

As cases of meningitis continue to be reported in the news, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is asking parents and carers to make sure their child’s vaccinations are up to date.

Board Meeting March 2026 1X1

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside March 2026 Board meeting

The next meeting of the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board will take place at the Riverside Innovation Centre, University of Chester, from 1pm to 3:30pm on Thursday, 26 March 2026.

Rows of blue solar panels stand on a green field under a clear blue sky.

NHS trusts in Cheshire and Merseyside secure £8.3 million for clean energy upgrades

Hospitals and community services across Cheshire and Merseyside are set to benefit from £8.3 million of national investment to install clean energy and energy efficiency upgrades, helping to cut bills and reinvest savings into frontline patient care.

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NHS Cheshire and Merseyside March 2026 Blog

Liz Bishop (Chief Executive)

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Update on Shaping Care Together

The joint committee made up of the integrated care boards of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside and NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria made a decision on the future location of A&E services in Southport, Formby and West Lancashire.

Miniature colourful houses with varied designs are lined up on a wooden surface, surrounded by small green trees.

Champs Directors launch All Together Fairer Neighbourhoods to support prevention and tackle health inequalities across Cheshire and Merseyside

Cheshire and Merseyside’s Champs Public Health Collaborative Directors have published All Together Fairer Neighbourhoods – An evidence‑based framework for Cheshire and Merseyside to support the creation of local neighbourhood health plans.

Sefton grandmother with glasses shares her anti-smoking story. Text reads, "I watched smoking take my family and I didn’t want to be next.”

“I watched smoking take my family and I didn’t want to be next”

A Sefton grandmother who lost multiple family members to smoking-related illness is sharing her story ahead of No Smoking Day (11 March), as landmark legislation to create the first smokefree generation reaches its final stage in Parliament.

A white radiator casts shadows on a wall, with a corner of a beige fabric sofa partially visible on the left. Sunlight streams in.

Fuel poverty scheme linked to reduction in GP appointments

A scheme to reduce the impact of fuel poverty on vulnerable people has been linked to a near 10 per cent reduction in GP appointments, according to a new report.

A clear glass ashtray filled with numerous smoked cigarette butts and ash sits on a plain white surface.

Public health leaders send message to Government as smoke-free generation edges closer

Public health leaders across Cheshire and Merseyside have united to urge the Government to press ahead with a parliamentary ruling aimed at stopping future generations from taking up smoking.

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NHS Cheshire and Merseyside February 2026 Blog

Liz Bishop (Chief Executive)

A person in a gray hoodie is focused on typing code on a large monitor. Headphones are placed nearby.

Pilot project helps reduce dropout rates and NEET risk among Cheshire young people

Students in Crewe are being supported to stay in education, work or training after leaving school, thanks to a new pilot programme.

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Without that test my wife would have lost a husband, and my children would have lost their dad

A Liverpool dad has shared his story after a routine family trip to the optician and a chance conversation turned into a life-saving moment.

A hand holding a digital pregnancy test showing "Pregnant" on the display.

New interim subfertility policy for Cheshire and Merseyside introduced

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB) has published a new interim subfertility policy.

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Thousands of patients receive urgent care at home thanks to growing community service

Thousands of people across Cheshire and Merseyside are avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions, thanks to the region’s urgent community response (UCR) services. Since April 2024, more than 64,000 people have been referred to UCR teams, which provide rapid health and social care in people’s homes.

A young child with long hair is focused on doing homework at a wooden table. They're holding a pencil, colouring in a worksheet.

Council and NHS welcome inspection findings in Cheshire West and commit to improving outcomes for children and families

The outcome of a recent inspection of local services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Cheshire West has been welcomed by Cheshire West and Chester Council and NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB).

A person in a lab coat checks another's blood pressure with a blue cuff and stethoscope.

North Mersey Stroke Service hosts first hybrid national stroke prevention conference

On Friday 30 January, the North Mersey Stroke Service, based at Aintree University Hospital, hosted its first hybrid national stroke prevention conference in Liverpool. The event brought together 160 professors, consultants, and health organisations, all dedicated to improving stroke care.

Illustration of a person clutching their stomach in pain, suggesting discomfort. Text reads: "Vomiting and diarrhoea? Stomach bugs, like norovirus, can be very unpleasant but usually go away in around 2 days. Treating yourself at home is often the best remedy." NHS logo in the top right. Background is purple, conveying a serious tone.

Health advice as norovirus cases spike in the North West

Health leaders in the North West have issued advice on preventing the spread of norovirus following a spike of people in the region’s hospitals with the virus.

A medical professional performs an ultrasound on a pregnant person's belly in a clinic.

NHS agrees next steps for women’s hospital services in Liverpool

At its meeting on 29 January 2026, the Board of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside (ICB) agreed to progress with a proposal which will improve the safety of hospital gynaecology and maternity services in Liverpool in the medium term.

Logo for "HSJ Digital Awards" with bold red and black text. Features a stylized purple digital pixel light bulb, symbolizing innovation and technology.

NHS in Cheshire and Merseyside recognised for digital transformation at HSJ Digital Awards 2026

The HSJ Digital Awards recognise the NHS’s most ground-breaking digital projects, services, and teams that are improving patient experience, driving innovation, and boosting productivity.

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NHS Cheshire and Merseyside January 2026 Board meeting

The next meeting of the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board will take place at Holiday Inn in Liverpool from 2pm to 4:15pm on Thursday, 29 January 2026.

In the left image, a woman presents in front of a classroom, pointing at a screen showing a community project. On the right, five people smile outside a community hub.

Sefton and St Helens showcase Neighbourhood Health Plans at national level

Sefton and St Helens have welcomed the national lead for the Neighbourhood Health Programme, to see how they’re leading the way in bringing better care closer to home and improving people’s experience and outcomes.

A young girl with long blonde hair wears a colourful striped shirt and brushes her teeth with a yellow toothbrush, smiling.

Number of children's settings across Cheshire and Merseyside delivering supervised toothbrushing continues to grow

There are now 254 settings are taking part in the All Together Smiling supervised toothbrushing programme, supporting over 11,500 children to brush their teeth every day.

Three people wear medieval armor and casual clothes, symbolizing protection. UK Government and NHS logos are visible. Text: "Help your body fight flu. Stay strong. Get vaccinated."

“It’s not too late to get protected” urge NHS health chiefs, as winter vaccinations continue to be available across the region

Health leaders across the North West are encouraging eligible people to continue to come forward for flu vaccinations, reminding the public that it is not too late to get protected as winter pressures continue.

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NHS Cheshire and Merseyside January 2026 Blog

Liz Bishop (Chief Executive)

Close-up of a dental workstation featuring dental tools, a digital control panel, and a tray.

Extra urgent dental appointments now available

Extra appointments are now available for people in Cheshire and Merseyside who need urgent dental care – including for those who don’t have a usual dentist.