NHS Cheshire and Merseyside June 2026 Blog
Monday, 8 June 2026
A further round of resident doctor strikes is due to take place from 7am on Monday, 15 June until 7am on Friday, 19 June.
While this action is expected to cause some disruption, we are working closely with NHS organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside to minimise the impact on patient care.
If you have an appointment, please continue to attend as normal unless you are contacted and told otherwise. Anyone who needs urgent medical help but is unsure where to go should continue to use NHS 111, which can direct you to the most appropriate service.
Elsewhere, there has been encouraging news nationally, with the latest NHS operational performance data showing that just over 65% of patients were seen within 18 weeks over the past year.
The NHS waiting list also fell by more than 312,000 patients during this time – the largest year-on-year reduction in 16 years – reflecting the hard work and commitment of NHS staff across the country, who continue to deliver record levels of activity while improving access to care.
In our region, new figures show that Cheshire and Merseyside has surpassed national cancer performance standards for both faster diagnosis and timely treatment.
The North West is now the most improved region in England for faster cancer diagnosis, with Cheshire and Merseyside making a significant contribution to that achievement.
Cheshire and Merseyside is also the third best performing area in the country for the 62-day referral-to-treatment target.
These improvements mean more people are being diagnosed and treated sooner, giving them the best possible chance of positive outcomes.
Last week, Parliament debated plans for a single patient record for the NHS in England as part of the NHS Modernisation Bill.
A single patient record has the potential to improve how information is shared between services, reduce duplication and help clinicians provide more joined-up care.
There is still considerable work to do before any changes are implemented, and we will continue to keep partners, staff and the public informed as this work progresses.
Finally, I would like to remind everyone who is eligible for the spring COVID-19 vaccination programme that 30 June is the last opportunity to receive this season’s vaccine.
If you are in an eligible group and have not yet booked your appointment, please do so as soon as possible to ensure you remain protected.
Liz Bishop
Chief Executive
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside