Liverpool City Council’s Director of Public Health has published his latest independent annual report, outlining a programme of service transformation focused on tackling deep‑rooted health inequalities and improving access, prevention, and outcomes for residents across the city.
The report sets out what the council describes as one of the most ambitious overhauls of public health services Liverpool has ever undertaken. Since April 2020, services including sexual health, drug and alcohol support, tobacco control, infection prevention and the city’s 0 – 19 offer have been redesigned to be easier to access, more joined up and better shaped around people’s lives.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said the report demonstrated how long-term investment, community insight, and prevention were reshaping public health services across Liverpool.
“Our role is to make sure services are effective, fair and accessible, and that they reflect the realities of our communities,” he said. “We are already seeing results. More people are using services earlier, staying engaged for longer, and having a better experience.”
Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health, said the changes marked a fundamental shift in how public health works in Liverpool.
“Over the past year, we have not just improved services; we have reshaped how public health works for our city,” he said. “These are services that thousands of residents rely on every day, and we have made them stronger, more accessible, and more connected than ever before.”
The report acknowledges that health and wellbeing in Liverpool remain a significant challenge. Around 54% of residents live in areas among the 20% most deprived in England, and nearly one in three children under 16 lives in poverty. Life expectancy remains lower than the national average, with men expected to live to 76 years and women to 80, spending a significant proportion of their lives in poor health.
Against this background, the report focuses on how service transformation, partnership working and prevention can close longstanding health gaps.
Clear improvements across key services
A redesigned 0 – 19 Healthy Child Programme is improving early years and family support, with integrated community teams, more face-to-face contact and targeted help for vulnerable families. Breastfeeding rates have improved, with 72% of babies now receiving breastmilk as their first feed, while additional visits are being introduced for families who need extra support.
The city’s sexual health services, delivered by Axess, have expanded significantly, with more than 80 access points across Liverpool, new digital testing options and outreach to underserved communities. Since the transformation, there has been a 21% reduction in new sexually transmitted infections, alongside a major expansion in HIV testing and contraception access, including innovative pharmacy based and women’s health hub services.
Liverpool’s all-age drug and alcohol service, River, now provides single-service access to recovery-focused support. While drug-related deaths remain a concern, the report shows successful treatment completions are increasing, with case studies highlighting sustained abstinence, improved mental wellbeing and stronger family relationships.
Smoking rates continue to fall. Around 12% of adults now smoke, and two-thirds of quit attempts using stop smoking services are successful. New community outreach, rapid referral systems and a ‘Swap to Stop’ vaping scheme have helped more residents access support earlier.
The Liv Life Healthy Weight Service, launched in January 2025, has reached over 1,100 residents, with 94% losing weight and nearly half achieving a clinically significant weight reduction. The service combines face-to-face and digital support, community delivery and links to the city’s Good Food Plan.
Meanwhile, the Community Infection Prevention and Control Service has strengthened training, outbreak response and quality standards in settings such as care homes and schools, responding to 106 outbreaks in the past year, all with same day contact.
Beyond service transformation, the council continues to focus on wider determinants of health, such as poverty, housing, education and employment. Liverpool was awarded Marmot City status in April 2025, recognising its commitment to tackling health inequalities and embedding fairer health outcomes across all policies.
Looking ahead
The report sets out recommendations for 2026, including continuing service-specific improvements, ensuring value for money, using evidence-led innovation and keeping community voice at the centre of public health delivery.
Professor Ashton said the progress made demonstrates what is possible through partnership and ambition.
“Liverpool’s public health system is now a model of partnership and progress,” he said. “We will keep pushing forward to ensure every resident has the opportunity to live a healthy, fulfilling life.”
The full Public Health Annual Report is available on the Liverpool City Council website.
