NHS Cheshire and Merseyside has appointed Carl Marsh as the new Interim Place Director for Warrington to lead the local health service during a period of significant change and ongoing health challenges.
Mr. Marsh, a former army Field Medic with over 40 years of experience in healthcare, steps into the role as the local health system focuses on addressing persistent inequalities. He served 24 years with the Army Medical Services before joining the NHS in 2004.
Warrington, which has a population of 209,397, currently faces a range of health concerns. Statistics from NHS Cheshire and Merseyside show that 32 per cent of children are overweight or obese by Year 6, while 64 per cent of adults are overweight or obese. Additionally, 25 per cent of adults in the borough are physically inactive, and 7 per cent have diabetes. The area also experiences a notable gap in life expectancy between its most and least deprived communities, with the average life expectancy currently at 79 years for men and 82 years for women.
As the leader of the local partnership, Mr. Marsh will focus on improving population health, managing rising demand for services, and ensuring the health system remains financially sustainable. These efforts include further developing the Living Well framework, which aims to support vulnerable residents. A key part of this work is the Living Well Warrington digital platform, which has recorded over 160,000 visits since its launch in March 2025 and currently attracts 4,500 monthly users.
This leadership appointment follows the official merger of Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Bridgewater Community Healthcare on 1 April 2026. The two organisations have joined to form the North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust, a new body serving a population of over 1 million residents with a workforce of nearly 6,500 staff.
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