High praise for Liverpool’s Public Health Annual Report
Each year, Public Health teams across the country reflect on the previous 12 months via an annual report – and this year, Liverpool’s approach has received high praise from national colleagues.
Although Public Health Annual Reports (PHAR) are a statutory function, they are also essential in setting out key health challenges in each area and detailing how each local authority and their partners are working to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities in their communities.
Over the last two years, Liverpool’s PHAR has documented the city’s journey through the pandemic –including the first lockdown, how Liverpool kept its communities safe and plans for the city’s future recovery.
Liverpool launched its 2021 PHAR on 23 March, which marked both the 2nd anniversary of national lockdown and the finale of “Visible Virals” – a unique arts project which celebrated the city’s resilience, kindness and scouse spirit throughout the pandemic.
Each year, annual reports from Public Health teams across the UK are submitted to The Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) to help share good practice and celebrate key achievements.
At today’ Annual Meeting, ADPH Chief Executive Nicola Close, specifically highlighted the Liverpool report saying “I cannot praise this report enough. The on-line format has everything and highlights the content really well.”
The Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) is the membership body for Directors of Public Health (DsPH) in the UK. It represents the professional views of all DsPH as the local leaders for the nation’s health and has a heritage dating back over 160 years. It is a collaborative organisation, working in partnership with others to strengthen the voice for public health.
Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, Cllr Frazer Lake said “I’m incredibly proud of how our city has responded to the pandemic – and I am really pleased that our public health annual report has been recognised not only by the ADPH, but recorded for future generations to reflect on.
The design of the report has helped tell our story in an accessible, yet engaging way, which helps showcase so much of the excellent work which took place last year – including the ongoing symptom-free community testing, vaccination at the heart of communities with our vaccine bus and the re-design and launch of Axess, an award-winning sexual health service.”
Director of Public Heath for Liverpool, Matt Ashton said “Our city shares a rich and diverse history in public health, dating back to 1847 and Dr William Henry Duncan being appointed as Liverpool’s first Medical Officer of Health. This role was the first of its kind in the country and is the origin of today’s Directors of Public Health.
2022 marks the 175th year of the role, so having this recognition for Liverpool from the ADPH is a real testament to the amazing work and innovative public health practice which takes place every day.”
The report can be accessed here https://liverpool.gov.uk/phar
You can also read more about Liverpool’s fascinating contribution to public health in Culture Liverpool’s Liverpool Through the Archives series – Liverpool’s Dr Duncan – Britain’s First Medical Officer of Health.