NHS Cheshire and Merseyside March 2026 Blog
Tuesday, 17 March 2026
Sunday, 8 March marked the COVID-19 Day of Reflection - a moment to come together to remember those who lost their lives during the pandemic and those who continue to be affected to this day.
It was also an opportunity to pay tribute to the extraordinary dedication of health and care staff and frontline workers, who made enormous sacrifices at the height of the pandemic to keep members of the public safe.
In a time of national - and international - crisis, we saw the very best of our NHS.
Of course, vaccination proved crucial in the battle against COVID-19 - and is equally important with regard to measles.
There has been an alarming rise in measles cases in some parts of the country, primarily in unvaccinated children.
Vaccination remains the best form of protection and I would encourage anyone who is unsure whether they or their child is up to date with their vaccinations to check their records and contact their GP practice if they have missed a vaccine.
In other news, the Government’s landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill is approaching its final stage in the House of Lords.
Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death in our region, so we strongly welcome legislative changes that will help create a smoke-free generation and support more people to quit smoking.
Finally, we’re pleased to reveal that eight local NHS trusts have secured a combined £8.3m through the Government’s clean energy fund.
This investment will support a range of initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs and support our ambition to become a net zero health service.
Liz Bishop
Chief Executive
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside