Collaborative Masterclass: All Together Fairer – A Marmot community approach to reducing health inequalities in Cheshire and Merseyside

At the latest Collaborative Masterclass, leaders heard from a range of expert speakers on how we can work collaboratively to impact on social determinants of health (SDOH) at all levels of the system.

The first speaker was Alan Higgins, Strategic Lead for the All Together Fairer programme in Cheshire & Merseyside.  Alan presented a range of data showing the correlation between SDOH, and quality of life and life expectancy. He concluded with a quote from Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the WHO: 

“Health care is an important determinant of health. Lifestyles are important determinants of health. But it is factors in the social environment that determine access to health services and influence lifestyle choices in the first place.”

Alan also reflected on action since the 2022 launch of Cheshire & Merseyside All Together Fairer. ICS, Acute Trusts and other health and care organisations, Councils and the voluntary sector are all coming together to develop and deliver local strategies that respond to SDOH. 23/24 priorities include a CYP collaborative, Anchors Network, and workforce wellbeing.

Julia Westaway, Associate Director Population Health, NHS L&SC ICB then reflected on the challenge of launching and delivering A Hopeful Future: Equity and the Social Determinants of Health in Lancashire and Cumbria. Despite the complex transitioning system architecture for ICSs and local authorities, leaders have identified opportunities to take shared action and integrate governance that will support the system to prioritise inequality.

Anna Nygaard, Head of Inequalities and Strategic Partnerships, Sefton Council, described the development and delivery of Sefton’s Childhood Poverty Strategy. The cost-of-living crisis galvanised local councillors and multi-agency leaders to develop a huge range of practical support for families to improve access to employment and grants, as well as environmental and housing improvements.

Mark Wright, Health Equity Professional Development Manager, NHS L&SC ICB described how L&SC’s Population Health Equity Academy is enabling leaders through population health capacity building, collaboration and connection.

This was followed by a Q&A session with the speakers and Dianne Draper, Consultant in Public Health at Blackpool Council. Discussion centred the challenges and opportunities of improving SDOH in the current national political climate, challenges in the health and care system, and acting across multiple system partners.

Small break out groups then discussed how to overcome challenges and get actively involved in improving SDOH. Common themes were the benefits of collaboration and partnership, including creating forums to share the learning from tests of change and maintaining hope and positivity in a difficult environment.

Finally, Alan Higgins concluded by introducing the Health Equity Network and inviting everyone to join and raise the profile to tackle SDOH.   

Watch the recording of the event here.