Professor Matthew Baylis demonstrating his work to EAP members Louise Ellman, MP and John Stageman, OBE
Liverpool Riverside MP, Louise Ellman, has visited Leahurst as part of an Institute of Infection and Global Health External Advisory Panel visit.
She was joined by Institute Director Professor Tom Solomon, Dr Nichola Williams, and colleagues who showed her first-hand how they are enhancing food safety and food security, and tracking emerging and zoonotic infections.
She said: “It was really helpful to see the work the Institute is doing in these important areas. The Government has recognised the need to tackle antibiotic resistance, and also to protect the public from emerging infections. Liverpool is clearly at the forefront of this vital public health work. I also found it fascinating to see the links between the Institutes’ UK and overseas programmes.”
Returning the favour
Louise returned the favour by asking Professor Solomon to join her at her work for an official ground-breaking event for Peel Port. The new £300 million container terminal, ‘Liverpool 2’, will allow much larger ships to dock in Liverpool, and rejuvenate the Manchester Ship canal.
Tom said: “This is a momentous occasion in the city’s history, and it was a privilege to be a part of it. It was fascinating meeting John Whittaker (Hon LLD 2010) who heads the Peel Group and we realised the port, so important to his business, was historically the trigger for Liverpool to develop as a centre for global health research.”
Tom and Louise also had the chance to discuss a whole range of shared issues from each other’s perspective. Tom continued: “It was interesting to hear how things actually happen in Westminster, what really drives changes in policy and practice.”