Stakeholder Newsletter - December 2025

Our Services

Mersey Care appoints interim Chair

David Fillingham CBE has been appointed as the Trust’s new interim chair for the next six months, during which time he will also continue as Chair of Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Trust.

He brings a wealth of NHS experience to the role, having joined the NHS in 1989 following a successful career in manufacturing. More information is on our website.

Professionals - Please Help Shape Perinatal Care Referrals

We want to make the Specialist Perinatal Service referral process as smooth and effective as possible - and your professional feedback is key to making that happen.

If you’ve referred a patient recently, please take a few minutes to share your experience by filling in our Referrer Feedback Form:

• Who do you usually contact?
• How confident are you in the referral criteria?
• What works well - and what could be better?

Your insights will help us improve outcomes for families and professionals alike.

We’re listening, please share your thoughts on perinatal referrals. Find out more about Perinatal and Maternal Mental Health Services here.

Specialist Mother and Baby mental health unit opens

A new specialist mother and baby mental health unit has opened to support pregnant and postnatal women experiencing severe mental ill health for residents from Cheshire, Merseyside, and North Wales, aiming to provides care closer to home in a therapeutic environment.

Seren Lodge, designed with input from women with lived experience, is based in Chester and is the results of a unique partnership between Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCHUB), Mersey Care, NHS England and NHS Wales. More information is available on our website.

New vaccine to provide protection against Chickenpox for children

Children will now be offered protection against Chickenpox with a new vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox or varicella (MMRV) being included in the NHS routine childhood vaccine schedule from 12 months old.

The first dose of the vaccine will be given at a child’s routine 12 month appointment and replaces the MMR vaccine. The second dose will be given at a new 18 month appointment for children born on or before 31 July 2024, with those born before this date getting their scheduled dose at their three years, four month scheduled appointment. More information is available on our website.

Video released to help those ready to access Talking Therapies

A new video which aims to prepare people before they access NHS Talking Therapies has been released and explains how to make the most of the sessions and begin their journey towards improving their mental wellbeing.

The new video, produced by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, 'Readiness for Therapy' has been developed to help those attending sessions understand what therapy involves, what they can do to get the best from their sessions, and how to prepare for the changes ahead. More information on our website.

Our Achievements

MBE for Mersey Care’s Chief Executive Officer

Trish Bennett, Mersey Care’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), was recognised for her services to the NHS in Merseyside by being awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours List.

Trish has more than 40 years of knowledge and experience in all age community and mental health services and despite advancing during her career into more strategic roles, she has never lost her passion for nursing and patient care. More information is available on our website.

Specialist Perinatal Service wins regional award

Cheshire and Merseyside's Specialist Perinatal Service, run in partnership between Mersey Care and Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), has been named Psychiatric team of the year at the prestigious Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) North West Awards 2025.

The service received the award for its outstanding work supporting parents, babies and families through pregnancy and the postnatal period. They support families across the region to access specialist advice about their mental health during the perinatal period (pregnancy to 24 months postnatal). More information on the news pages of our website.

CQC recognises community mental health services

Our community mental health services have been given an official ‘good’ rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which at the time of the inspections were the only service of its type nationally to achieve such a positive review. 

The ‘good’ rating was received despite the acute nature of the services and the system wide pressures faced by the community mental health teams by working collaboratively and flexibly and sharing best practice both across the trust and with external partners.

Estates and Facilities Team shortlisted for HSJ Partnership Award

Our Estates and Facilities Team, in collaboration with our partner Lexica, has been shortlisted for the Health Service Journal’s Partnership Awards Environmental Sustainability Project of the Year award.

The nomination is in recognition of our refreshed Green Plan which aims to accelerate progress towards net zero and offers a replicable and scalable model for other NHS organisations wanting to embed sustainability into operations while delivering on national net zero commitments. The winners will be announced on19 March 2026.

Our Research

New study explores anti-inflammatory medications for psychosis

The Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (M-RIC) and Mersey Care have launched a new feasibility study which aims to design a trial to explore immune problems in people with schizophrenia.

The Neuroimmune Profiling for Psychosis feasibility study aims to examine the problem that current drug treatments for psychosis do not work in approximately 30% of patients. It is not yet understood why this is the case, but it appears that some patients’ non-responsiveness to medication may be associated with their levels of inflammation. More information on the M-RIC website.

M-RIC team co-author piece on ‘overdiagnosis’ of mental health conditions 

Prof Dan Joyce, M-RIC Co-Director and Dr Oladayo Bifarin, Mersey Care’s Research Effectiveness Lead, have co-authored a piece exploring the dialogue around ‘overdiagnosis’ of conditions such as depression, anxiety, autism and ADHD. The co-authored piece also highlights how we can build a mental health system that supports people’s long-term needs.

Learn about M-RIC’s plans for 2026

The newly published M-RIC Review of 2025 includes information on their research activities, see some of their highlights from 2025 and read about their exciting plans and ambitions for 2026. More information about the review is on the M-RIC website.

Get Involved

Secret Santa 2025 - That's a wrap!

We have wrapped up our Secret Santa Appeal 2025 which saw an incredible response from our staff and supporters.

Through our Amazon Wishlist, a total of 240 gifts were generously purchased, with an estimated value of £1,670. In addition, we received £980 in cash donations, which was used to further support children and families in need during the festive period.

This overwhelming generosity has enabled us to provide gifts and festive support to those who may otherwise have gone without, helping to bring joy, comfort and reassurance at what can be a challenging time of year. Thanks to everyone who contributed to our appeal.

New courses at The Life Rooms

January’s Learning timetables at The Life Rooms are available to book to support people to actively manage their health and wellbeing. Course highlights for this month are:

• Cyber Security (New course) – learning about how to stay safe online, through an engaging escape room style activity
• Walk and Talk (additional sessions) – shorter walks have been added to the timetables alongside longer routes, to give more people an opportunity to get active
• Understanding Mental Wellbeing (an RSPH accredited course) – improving knowledge and developing practical strategies for moving forwards.

Employability tips to support people with mental health conditions

Individual Placement Support (IPS) employment services at The Life Rooms support people with mental health conditions to achieve meaningful full or part-time employment and working with them through their journey back into work. The IPS service have shared some tips for helping people find work and improve their applications, like the 3 essential tips for improving your CV.

Giving back through fundraising

Elsa Buckley, Assistant Practitioner in the ICRAS Central and South Urgent Therapy Team, proudly crossed the finish line at the world famous Aintree Racecourse, home of the Grand National, for her first 10km run on a rainy day in December.

The challenge marked a personal milestone and a heartfelt way to 'give back,’ after being inspired by the charity’s Impact Report. Elsa took on the 10km race to raise funds for Mersey Cares inspired by the care and maternal mental health support she received from the Silver Birch (Maternal Mental Health) service, following the difficult birth of her daughter and subsequent diagnosis of PTSD. She credits the team with playing a vital role in her recovery, helping her navigate a challenging time as a new mother, with compassion and expertise.

"Having read the Mersey Cares impact report I was so impressed by the initiatives Mersey Cares have provided that enhance the lives of people in my local community. I hope my funds can go a small way to helping you continue the important work you do,” she said.

MC Magazine

Available now: MC Magazine winter issue

Read real life stories:

• Music as medicine – how the power of music can benefit health
• Winter well – ways to stay healthy in the coldest season
• Unforgivable – how a Mersey Care psychologist’s work inspired a BBC drama
• Protein packing – a dietitian explains if it’s health or hype
• Perinatal mental health – a mum describes how support changed her life
• Benefits of volunteering – why it’s good for you to volunteer your time
• Falls prevention – a new campaign by Longmoor House to keep patients safe.