Sir Chris’ findings will help inform his forthcoming CMO’s Annual Report, which this year will be themed around health in rural areas and small towns. England’s CMOs have published an annual report for over 150 years and they are considered to be a cornerstone of public health assessment and policy advice to the government. Previous reports have focused on topics such as health in cities, in an ageing society, coastal communities and the impacts of air pollution on health.

The visit was hosted by Herefordshire Council’s Director of Public Health, Zoe Clifford. Following meetings with Paul Walker (Chief Executive), Councillor Jonathan Lester (Leader) and strategic health and care leaders at the council’s offices in Plough Lane, Hereford, Sir Chris was taken to Ledbury. Here he visited Ledbury Food Bank and heard about how the Talk Community Hub based there provides a wide range of support for local residents. This includes money management and housing advice as well as significant partnership working to support some of the community’s most vulnerable groups.

Later, Sir Chris was taken to Ledbury Rugby Club where representatives from some of Herefordshire’s key voluntary and community organisations were assembled, including Halo Leisure, Turning Point, We Are Farming Minds and Stride Active.  This was an opportunity for Sir Chris to find out about all the important work the organisations are undertaking, as well as to hear how they adapt their services for our dispersed rural population.

Finally, Sir Chris returned to our Plough Lane offices to participate in a Q&A session with the council’s wider Public Health team.

Zoe Clifford, Director of Public Health at Herefordshire Council, said:

It was wonderful to welcome the CMO to Herefordshire and to have the opportunity to showcase some of the exceptional work we are doing here to address the health and care needs of our diverse, rural population. We all know and appreciate the beauty of our rural environment, but we are also fully aware of some of the challenges that rurality brings. We are sure that Sir Chris will have taken away some great examples of what can be achieved and hope he is inspired by all he has seen and heard.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer, said:

It was a pleasure to visit Herefordshire and hear about the important public health work happening across the county. Delivering services in remote and rural communities is a challenge, but I was struck by the excellent examples of partnership working showcased throughout the day. I am grateful to the public health team and wider colleagues for their efforts in making the visit possible.

Sir Chris has visited a number of other rural counties to gain information and case studies to include in his forthcoming Annual Report. His Annual Report 2026 is due to be published late next year and will be accessible via the dedicated page on the Gov.UK website.