Knowsley

Knowsley’s population has grown year on year since 2011, with approximately 152,000 residents currently living across its 15 wards. During the last decade Knowsley has seen economic growth, but deprivation remains a significant challenge throughout the borough, with Knowsley ranked as having the second highest levels of deprivation nationally.

Life expectancy at birth is 78 years in Knowsley (2018-20), but health inequalities are evident across the local population, with an average life expectancy of 73.8 years in Northwood (Knowsley’s most deprived ward) compared to 81 years in Swanside.

The gap between female and male life expectancy stands at 3.5 years; and while females are living longer than men on average (females 79.8 years and males 76.3 years), they are spending more time in ill-health, which presents challenges for health and care services in Knowsley.

COVID-19 has had an unequal impact on different population groups and has further exacerbated inequalities within our communities. Nationally, the gap in life expectancy between the most affluent and deprived areas widened in 2020 to 10.2 years for males and 8.5 years for females, compared with 9.3 and 7.9 years respectively in 2019. Knowsley life expectancy decreased by 2.4 years in 2020. This decrease has continued into 2021/22, with COVID-19 deaths being similar in 2021 to that of 2020.

Over the next ten years the largest population increase in the borough will be in over 65s (23.7%) and the number of under 15s in the borough set to increase by at least 1.2%.

In response to these challenges, the Knowsley Better Together partnership developed the Knowsley 2030 Strategy, which is a long-term plan to address inequalities and support residents and communities to thrive.

This demographic data informs strategic planning and prioritisation for future allocations of funding.

Information:

Key priorities

  • A targeted approach to population health in Knowsley - rolling out a model of healthcare across the borough, starting in areas with the greatest need and highest levels of health inequalities.

  • Improve access to health information, advice and guidance – so that Knowsley residents can make informed decisions about their health and care.

  • Reduce avoidable hospital attendances and admissions - working with partners to make better use of data, intelligence and patients’ experiences to improve services and pathways.

  • Improve access to General Practice - working with Knowsley’s three primary care networks to understand how partners can better support practice staff to meet the needs of the local population.

NHS trusts

The following NHS trusts all provide health services across Knowsley:

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Website: liverpoolft.nhs.uk

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

Website: merseycare.nhs.uk

Address: V7 Building, Kings Business Park, Prescot, L34 1PJ 

Tel: 0151 4730303

Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Website: wchc.nhs.uk

Address: St Catherine's Health Centre, Derby Road, Birkenhead, Wirral CH42 0LQ

Tel: 0151 514 2888

Contact

Email: knowsley.communications@cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk 

Tel: 0151 244 4126