Consultations

Residents are invited to help shape the future of drug and alcohol support in Cheshire West and Chester.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is appealing for the views of residents who have used services themselves or who have supported others through it.

The Council also wants to hear from people who may have been affected by drugs and alcohol but who have not used services in the borough.

Cllr Lisa Denson, The Council’s Cabinet Member for A Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health and Mental Health), said: “We need you to tell us your feelings and views if you’ve ever used the support on offer, or if you know someone who has.

“Tell us what we are doing well or how things could be improved.

“We also want to hear from people who might have needed the services but who haven’t used them. We want to make sure they are accessible and what people need.

“Our drug and alcohol services are vital and change people’s lives every day – this is why it is so important that we get them right.

“This is your chance to help shape them for the future.”

The Council commissions the charity Via – New Beginnings to provide its drug and alcohol services in the borough.

It provides free and confidential advice, care and support for adults and young people who experience harm from alcohol and other drugs.

Via runs services across the area, with hubs in Chester, Northwich and Ellesmere Port.

For more information about the services in the borough visit: www.viaorg.uk/services/cheshire-west-and-chester-new-beginnings.

The survey on drug and alcohol services runs from 15 October to 25 November.

There are a number of ways to have your say:

• Complete the online survey at: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/drugandalcoholservices
• Email: publichealth@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
• Write to: Drug and alcohol service survey, Cheshire West and Chester Council, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port CH65 0BA
• Telephone: 0300 123 8123 and quote: ‘drug and alcohol services survey’
• Request paper copies of the survey or alternative formats using the contact details above.

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB) has launched a six-week public consultation on proposed changes to local fertility treatment policies, running from 3 June – 15 July 2025.

Currently, there are ten separate policies for Cheshire and Merseyside, which means that eligible people have varying access to NHS-funded fertility treatment, depending on where they live.

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, the organisation which is responsible for planning local health services, is proposing to replace these policies with a new, single policy. This would mean that in the future, people across Cheshire and Merseyside would get the same access to NHS fertility treatment.

As part of the policy, it is proposed that one cycle of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is funded for those who are eligible. Currently, between one and three cycles are provided on the NHS, depending on which part of Cheshire and Merseyside people live in.

At the moment, the local NHS spends over £5 million on IVF treatments every year, and it is estimated that moving to offering one IVF cycle would save around £1.3 million annually.

It would also mean that Cheshire and Merseyside was in line with the majority of other areas in England – 66% of ICBs only fund one IVF cycle.

A number of other changes are also being proposed within the new policy, to help standardise some eligibility criteria, and update the local policy to reflect national clinical guidance.

This includes proposed changes to eligibility based on BMI (body mass index), smoking status, age, the definition of childlessness, and changes to the requirement for IUI (intra uterine insemination) before IVF treatment in some areas.

A six-week public consultation is being held between 3 June to 15 July 2025, giving people the opportunity to learn more about the proposed changes and share their views.

People can download an information booklet and complete a short questionnaire on the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside website at: https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/get-involved/current-consultations-and-engagements/share-your-views-on-proposed-changes-to-fertility-treatment-policies-in-cheshire-and-merseyside/

Anyone who would like to request some help to complete the questionnaire, or to request a printed version or an alternative format or language, can do so by phoning: 0151 295 3052 or emailing: engagement@cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk

Dr Fiona Lemmens, Deputy Medical Director for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside said: “The NHS is currently facing serious financial challenges, and this means we’re having to make some very difficult decisions about how we spend our local health budget.

“We know that access to fertility treatment is a sensitive issue, but we believe that moving to a single IVF cycle is the best way to ensure that we can continue to provide this treatment for our population.

“We have drafted the new policy based on what we feel balances local need and affordability, but before we finalise it, we are committed to listening to feedback from our communities.

“We want to encourage people to share their views by taking part in the public consultation, to tell us how these changes might affect them, and what they think might help to minimise any negative impact.”

Once the consultation closes, the findings will be analysed and compiled into a report. This will be presented to the Board of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside for a final decision, likely in late summer or early autumn 2025.

Further information will then be shared about the outcome, and what this means for people who use fertility services. Until then, the existing policies will still apply and people can continue to access fertility treatment just as they do now.

To learn more and take part in the online questionnaire, go to: https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/get-involved/current-consultations-and-engagements/share-your-views-on-proposed-changes-to-fertility-treatment-policies-in-cheshire-and-merseyside/

To stay updated on how this work progresses, people can also sign up to receive monthly NHS Cheshire and Merseyside email updates at: https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/latest/sign-up-for-updates/

An upcoming Devolution Consultation Event will take place at The Mornflake Stadium (Alexandra Stadium) in Crewe on 26th March, between 6:00pm and 8:00pm.

At 6:00pm and 7:00pm, officials from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will deliver presentations outlining the details of the consultation. Each presentation will last approximately 15 to 20 minutes, followed by an opportunity for attendees to discuss any individual queries with officials.

For planning purposes, attendees are encouraged to confirm their attendance via Eventbrite link, though walk-ins on the day are also welcome.

Organisations and individuals are encouraged to share information about this devolution consultation event with their networks to ensure broad participation.

The consultation closes on 13 April 2025. The easiest way to submit a representation is online at consultation link. Please note that replies to this email will not be counted as a consultation response.

In addition, any organisations hosting meetings before 13 April where a short presentation on the consultation would be beneficial are encouraged to get in touch.

All interested parties are invited to take part and share their views before the consultation closes.

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is holding a public consultation on a proposal to stop making gluten free bread and bread mixes available on prescription.

Gluten free bread and bread mixes are sometimes prescribed to individuals who live with coeliac disease, or other diagnosed conditions which mean that people have to follow a gluten free diet.

The public consultation is a chance for people to find out more about the proposal and share their views. It takes place between 28 January and 11 March 2025. The feedback received will be used to make a final decision about the proposal.

Further details about the public consultation, and how to share your views, are available on the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside website www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/glutenfree

We Are Undefeatable is a campaign supporting people with long term health conditions to be more active,
developed by 15 leading health and social care charities, and backed by National Lottery funding from Sport
England.
This September they’re gathering ideas from the public on the type of tools and resources that are most
needed to support people with health conditions to get active. These ideas will shape what We Are
Undefeatable provides in the future and how the campaign works with partners locally and nationally.
They’re keen to hear from people who live with health conditions, care for others who do, or have a
professional interest in the area – for example those working in health or social care, the charity or voluntary
sector, sport or physical activity or in local or national government.
If this sounds interesting to you, please get involved and have your say. Click here to complete the online
questions.
Thank you for your support and we would hugely appreciate if you could share this with others.

Over the last six weeks, Cheshire West and Chester Council has been asking the public for its views on how to balance its budget in challenging times, and it’s not too late to have your say.

A public consultation was launched in October giving local people the opportunity to share their views. With publicity having had to be limited during the run up to the Chester by-election, the consultation will now run for an extra day until Monday 5 December 2022.

Feedback from the consultation is carefully recorded and considered and will inform decisions Councillors make, on 16 February next year, on the overall Council budget.

The Council currently spends £862million on services for local people, which have an impact on everyone’s lives and futures.  These services range from schools to social care and support for vulnerable families, from public protection to economic growth and from libraries to highways and street cleaning, plus many more.

Financial pressures, the increase in demand for some services, and inflation are all taking their toll on what the Council can deliver, leading to increasingly challenging choices having to be made.

Leader of the Council Councillor Louise Gittins said: “We are in the middle of a social and economic crisis. We know that the cost of living is making it hard for many local people to make ends meet.

“Like organisations up and down the country, our costs have gone up. We also have increasing numbers of children and adults with complex needs that need our help, placing pressure on our finances. Now, accelerating costs and inflation are squeezing out the headroom available in our capital programme to invest in our borough’s future.

“We will put all our efforts in continuing to provide help within the resources we have available. Overall, we could face a funding gap of around £105 million over the next four years.  After additional business rates and council tax income are accounted for, alongside existing savings proposals that we have already consulted on, the gap remains around £42 million, with £19 million we need to bridge in the first two years.

“This represents the biggest funding challenge faced by this Council in its history.  And it may yet increase in severity.

“Our proposed response is to be innovative, and in line with our values. We want to protect the vulnerable who depend on our help. We want to introduce new ways of working that are as efficient and effective as possible, and to invest in prevention to avoid more people requiring more expensive care.  However, some incredibly difficult decisions may need to be considered, informed by your views.

“I’d like to thank all those who have already taken part in the consultation, and I urge more people to take part in it. Your responses matter, now more than ever. Have your say and play your part in shaping your services and helping us make hard decisions.”

Cllr Carol Gahan, Lead Member for Legal and Finance said: “The Council has been recognised for strong financial management and this continues in our approach to engaging residents on how we spend our scarce resources.  But we face a stark financial challenge. We must plan for the next two years, and a future beyond that. We need our residents’ views on some of the ideas we are proposing to address the budget gap in the medium term.

“These ideas include areas where we could save money but also areas we want to protect.

“This year, as well as commenting on the budget proposals, local people can have a go at a Budget Simulator Challenge which asks, ‘If it was up to you, how would you spend the Council’s budget?’.”

Here’s how you can have your say.

• Visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/choices to find out about the budget proposals, complete a survey and try out the budget simulator.
• Email your views to: councilbudget@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
• Write to: Choices in challenging times, Insight and Intelligence, Cheshire West and Chester Council, The Portal, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA.
• Call the Council’s Contact Centre on: 0300 123 8123 quoting ‘Choices in challenging times’ to give your thoughts.
• Pick up a paper questionnaire from your local library.  Alternative formats are also available on request.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is urging residents to share their views on its draft strategy for ensuring everyone aged fifty-five and over can live safely and age well within their local communities and own homes.

The Council is undertaking a borough wide consultation to support the development of a new Accommodation and Support Strategy. The final strategy will make west Cheshire a place that can support older people by ensuring local accommodation meet the changing needs of an individual as they age and is flexible to adapt to changing physical conditions and health.

For further information on the consultation please visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ageingwellconsultation.

There are a number of ways that you can get involved and share your views.

• Complete a survey online here https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/CWCC-AWAS.
• Email your views to: info@askforresearch.co.uk.
• Share your views by telephone: please call Ask for Research on 01630 658000 and quote ‘Ageing Well Accommodation and Support Strategy consultation’ (standard phone charges apply or we will be happy to call you back).
• Send your views by letter to: Ask for Research, Pell Wall Court, Pell Wall, Market Drayton, TF9 2AD (please email or phone above to be sent a Freepost envelope if preferred).
• Request a copy of our consultation in alternative formats, including paper and easy read, using the contact details above.

The consultation is open until 28 August 2022. Feedback will help shape the Ageing Well Accommodation and Support Strategy, which will change the way we deliver and commission accommodation and support for Older People living in Cheshire West and Chester.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s commission into the future of adult social care is to meet for the first time next week and the council is seeking people’s views on their experiences of social care.

The commission is working to ensure that adult social care provision in the borough is ready for future challenges and opportunities. It will be considering the vision for adult social care in the borough at its first meeting on Tuesday, 16 November.

The commission is made up of Labour, Conservative and Independent councillors along with representatives of the local community and voluntary sector and the NHS.  A range of other partners will also be invited to participate as expert witnesses, with findings and recommendations to go to the Council’s Cabinet.

The first meeting will hear from the Cheshire Disabled People’s Panel about local people’s experiences of drawing on social care, the North West Association of Directors of Social Services about the Care Vision 2030 that they have developed, and Wigan Council about their approach to delivering social care.

The Commission is collecting evidence and a public call for evidence was launched in September asking for local people, partners and care providers to share any evidence that the Commission should consider. People have been asked to share their views and ideas using the email address: FutureOfSocialCare@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk. They can also write to Future of Social Care, Cheshire West and Chester Council, 4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port CH65 0BE.

The Commission has a webpage at www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/futuresocialcare where it will be publishing material shared at the Commission and hosting recordings of meetings.  The page also includes a forward plan of meetings dates and the themes for discussion.

Commission meetings are being held virtually and are open for anyone to attend and observe.  There will be public speaking time available at the start of each meeting for anyone to ask to speak briefly on a topic related to the theme under discussion.  Anyone wishing to speak here needs to request to do so by noon the day before the meeting.

The first part of each meeting will also be dedicated to hearing about the experiences, views and ideas from those who draw on social services, their families and carers.  Anyone wishing to speak to the Commission can share their experiences, request to use the public speaking time or propose themselves as expert witnesses via the  FutureOfSocialCare@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk email address or by writing in to the address given above.

The Council is currently engaging with a variety of local groups and communities to raise awareness of the Commission and to understand and explore how else they might wish to share their expertise with Commissioners.

The Council is asking residents to share their views on proposals to improve its mental health support service.

The Council currently offers a dedicated support service to people with severe and enduring mental health needs via day services, supported living accommodation and outreach support in the community.

The proposals outline a service focused on delivering short-term, recovery-focused support to prevent, reduce or delay longer-term and more complex and severe needs. The aim is to strengthen the service to ensure that it is a modern and valuable offer that can meet growing demand in a cost-effective way.

The redesigned service would support more people across the whole borough and have strong links to community and voluntary groups to support individuals within their communities, providing the tools and techniques to manage their mental health.

Where individuals require longer term, ongoing support, this will be met by a mix of support from external providers and community support.

The consultation is now live and will remain open until Monday, 5 September. There are a number of ways to take part:

• complete the survey at: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/adultmentalhealthconsultation
• complete a paper questionnaire and send your response back to us at the following address: NWA Research, PO Box 309, Stockton on Tees, TS20 1XP
• email your views to: norma.wilburn@nwaresearch.co.uk
• telephone 01642 360982 and quote ‘Mental Health In-House Provider Services Consultation’
• request a copy of our consultation in alternative formats, including hard copy and easy read, using the contact details above.

Feedback from residents and professionals has asked that Mental Health and urgent services are easier to find on the Live Well Cheshire West website.

When someone is suffering with a mental health or other crisis they need information quickly and easily. We are proposing some changes to the location of Mental Health Services, the addition of ‘Urgent help’ information and navigation on the site which will improve people’s access to this information and we would very much value your views.

Take the survey here:

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/LiveWellMentalHealth/

Council information is also available in audio, Braille, large print or other formats. If you would like a copy in a different format, in another language or require a BSL interpreter, please email equalities@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk, telephone 0300 123 8 123 or textphone 18001 01606 275 757.

The Under 16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey (U16 CPES) aims to find out what is good about the cancer and tumour care being given to children, and what could be better.

Children and young people (aged under 16) who have received cancer or tumour care in a Principal Treatment Centre, and their parents or carers, are invited to take part. Some children who are 16 years old may also be sent a survey if they received care within the past year as a 15 year old.

Results are published at a national and local (Principal Treatment Centre) level, on the U16 CPES website.

The Principal Treatment Centre within Cheshire and Merseyside is Alder Hey. You can view an overview of the 2020 results here.

Find out more:

https://www.cmcanceralliance.nhs.uk/work/patient-experience-and-health-inequalities/under-16-cancer-patient-experience-survey

The Strategic Collaborative Cheshire, a group of voluntary and public sector organisations, has published a survey  (https://www.cvsce.org.uk/news/support-carers-people-end-life) to inform its work to improve palliative and end-of-life care. The survey takes 6 mins to complete