The Director of Public Health introduced the report, which provided the Board with the independent annual report of the Director of Public Health. The 2020/2021 Report described enduring health inequalities in Wirral, the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these differences in health outcomes and recommended actions that were needed to improve residents’ health.

The report detailed how Wirral became one of the first places in the world to respond to Covid-19 when British residents repatriated from Wuhan, China were hosted in Wirral. Since then, it was reported that Covid-19 had affected everyone in the borough but that the pandemic had highlighted the existing health, economic and social inequalities within Wirral. The detail of the health inequalities people in Wirral faced was outlined, including the difference in life expectancy based on geographical location and gender. Comparisons to national statistics in a range of health factors were also outlined to the Board, with issues such as fuel poverty, alcohol misuse and prevalence of depression all worse in Wirral than the national average.

The report presented five key recommendations that had been made to improve the health and wellbeing of residents and reduce health inequalities in Wirral and these were outlined to the Board. They included:

·  Prioritise economic regeneration and a strong local economy;

·  Safeguard a healthy standard of living for all;

·  Increase support for children, young people and families;

·  Strengthen action to address differences in health outcomes and prevention; and

·  Residents and partners continue to work together.

The Board welcomed the report and the recommendations included within it. There was acknowledgement across Council directorates and the organisations represented on the Board that the report detailed the shared priorities. The importance of embedding the recommendations detailed in the report into the work that was ongoing was highlighted.

Resolved – That the recommendations detailed within the Public Health Annual Report be endorsed.