“"Returning to the original vision of Aneurin Bevan when the NHS was established in 1948, the NHS 10-year plan recognises the NHS should move beyond curing illness to promoting health through prevention and early intervention. Embedding prevention as a core role of the NHS requires significant system leadership from across the healthcare system. The role of the NHS in promoting and protecting the wellbeing of patients, carers, family and friends, staff and visitors needs to be recognised and implemented. This includes recognising that healthcare alone does not determine our health and when working with patients, it is crucial that we work with them in a holistic way to understand the different factors influencing their health and wellbeing."
NHS Report Highlights Prevention Efforts in Cheshire and Merseyside
New 'Future-focused prevention' report details initiatives to reduce ill health and improve population wellbeing across the region.
By Megan Worthington
••3 min read
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Generic image of a medical report and stethoscope.
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside has published its annual report, 'Future-focused prevention', detailing efforts to tackle ill health and promote wellbeing across the region.
The NHS Cheshire and Merseyside has released its 2025/26 Annual Report, titled ‘Future-focused prevention’, authored by Professor Ian Ashworth, Director of Population Health. The report underscores the NHS's commitment to preventing illness, reducing health inequalities, and enhancing the overall health of the population.
The publication showcases a range of initiatives implemented across Cheshire and Merseyside to integrate preventative measures into healthcare services. It also offers recommendations for future progress, supported by a film illustrating compelling personal stories.
This report aligns with the government's NHS 10-Year Plan for England, which advocates for a shift from hospital-centric care to community-based services, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention.
Key initiatives highlighted include efforts to combat fuel poverty, support smoking cessation, enable earlier identification of cardiovascular disease, and improve asthma care for young people. For instance, over 900 patients in Cheshire and Merseyside have been enrolled in a fuel poverty pathway, leading to an estimated 10% reduction in GP appointments for the cohort.
The All Together Smokefree programme has also seen significant success, with 16,735 inpatient smokers identified across the region agreeing to tobacco dependency services. Additionally, a pilot programme offering blood pressure checks through 60 opticians has conducted 1,243 checks since June 2025, and a social media campaign on asthma management generated 114,000 interactions.
The report also notes a 5,000 increase in flu vaccinations among NHS staff following targeted support, and outlines five recommendations for organisations. These include strengthening leadership on prevention, adopting a holistic approach to patient care, promoting healthy behaviours, improving staff wellbeing, and ensuring healthcare environments foster health.
Collaboration across the health and care system is emphasised as crucial for addressing health determinants and reducing inequalities. This is supported in Cheshire and Merseyside by a 'hybrid team' comprising NHS and public health staff within the Champs Public Health Collaborative.
Based on information from the official source: NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (13/10/2026)
