News reports located on this page = 3.

A video powerful message from Son after his dad dies of Covid-19

WE have been contacted by Carolyn Smith and her partner Stu Ivany, from Ainsdale,  Merseyside, following the death of Stu's Dad, Doug, due to the Coronavirus, on 2 April 2020. This very powerful video message is hard to watch and gets across very clearly why we must keep social distancing.  This is an emotional, but honest video address the effects this virus has on those who are left behind. Stu Ivany, stresses to us all that:- "No-one is immune to this virus and we must take it seriously."  We have added a link to the video for you all to share on your social media platforms.  Please help Stu Ivany to get his message across, as sadly some are not taking onboard why we are being asked to stay in and help the NHS to save lives. 

Carolyn Smith added:- "Apologies towards the end there is 2 swear words the video..." We have left these in as they get across the true emotion that Stu Ivany is expressing.

Also above is an added audio clip of the phone interview we did with his partner Carolyn. This also says a lot about the emotional impact this has on the whole family and the effects on the people around them. Carolyn also thanks everyone from his area for supporting Stu's Mum and praises Whiston Hospital for their support and care of Doug.

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Please watch this and feel free to copy the link and pass it on with the hash tag:- #stayhomesavelives!

If you have lost someone and you live in the UK and need someone to talk to, you can go to:- Cruse.Org.UK, Mind.Org.UK and Samaritans.Org.  Please remember that it is ok not to be ok! Please talk if you need to...

Liverpool has new Director of Public Health

LIVERPOOL'S new Director of Public Health officially begins the job today of keeping its 500,000 citizens healthy and happy, but he won't be setting foot outside his house. Matt, 47, joins Liverpool City Council amidst its huge operation to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, but due to Government guidelines will have to help co-ordinate the many challenges it poses from his small study. The father of 2 arrives from Sefton Council; where he held the role of Director of Public Health for the last 4 years, as the worst public health crisis in a century is taking grip of the country. In a 1st for the historic role of Director of Public Health in Liverpool, Matt, who grew up in the City and attended Calderstones Comprehensive, will be working closely with the University of Liverpool, holding the position of Honorary Professor, Department of Public Health and Policy. This new joint role will help to ensure that the strategic aims of the department of Public Health and Policy align with the huge practical issues facing the City.

Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool said:- "Although this is my 1st official day with Liverpool City Council I have been working closely with Public Health colleagues in Liverpool, and indeed the City Region, for a number of weeks to co-ordinate a joined up approach to tackling Covid-19. Now more than ever it's critical that we work shoulder to shoulder with our health partners, the academic sector, and many other stakeholders across Merseyside, to pool knowledge, skills and resources. I know this is an extremely testing time, but I have been really impressed with how Liverpool has led the charge bringing partners to the table to work together, and the efforts that have been made to provide accurate, trustworthy and regular Coronavirus messages for our residents. We all have a role to play in fighting this pandemic and I am looking forward to being part of these efforts; despite the fact that most of us are doing so from the confines of our home."

Liverpool has played a pioneering role in public health, introducing the world's 1st 'Medical Officer of Health' in 1847 with the appointment of Willian Henry Duncan to help co-ordinate the City's response to cholera. The Director of Public Health is a statutory position and Matt is the 13th person to hold the position for the whole of Liverpool, with the previous incumbent, Sandra Davies, retiring in December 2019 after almost 6 years in the role.

Cllr Paul Brant, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care said:- "Matt is a welcome addition to our Public Health team in the Council and will play a pivotal role in co-ordinating Liverpool's response to Covid-19. As a City we are breaking new ground in the field of public health by jointly funding the post of Director of Public Health with the University of Liverpool. This twin pronged approach, combining oversight of academic research and practical implementation of policy will help to improve the lives of some of the City's most vulnerable residents."

Matt's father John was the North West Regional Director of Public Health making them the 1st father and son to hold such a position in the UK.