As part of the national Hepatitis C Elimination Programme and the Community Liver Health Checks initiative, the West Yorkshire Liver Care Operational Delivery Network (ODN) funds dedicated support roles embedded within charities, drug services, and primary care settings. These roles are designed to enhance testing, improve access to treatment, and strengthen community engagement—particularly among individuals who face barriers to traditional healthcare pathways.
Read about the impactful work of Carol, Chiamaka, and Megan. Each a trusted connector across services, using their positions to build relationships, deliver targeted outreach, and guide individuals through the Hepatitis C care journey and broader liver health support.
Liver Buddies Case Study – Carol Williams-Powell
When Carol Williams-Powell first learned she had tested positive for Hepatitis C, it came in the form of a blunt letter from the NHS, which also recommended she take an HIV test.
“The letter was so blunt that I was really shocked.” said Carol, a mum of three, from Huddersfield. “And the recommendation to take an HIV test really shocked me. I was so upset. There were no offers of help or support in the letter, and I didn’t know what to do.”
Carol believed she contracted Hepatitis C, a viral infection that can seriously damage the liver and cause liver cancer, when she had a tattoo around twenty years previously. She believes the infection came from the tattoo ink, which wasn’t known about at the time.
She is now clear of the disease after several years of treatment and is using her experience to help the people in West Yorkshire in a similar situation to the one she faced.
Carol underwent three rounds of treatment over a five-year period before being given the all-clear. Although she benefited from new medications becoming available, knowing her liver had been damaged, and would require lifelong surveillance, was emotionally very difficult for her.
“I know first-hand the effects Hepatitis C can have, and it affected my entire life. It caused a great deal of anxiety and stress that has remained with me. I feel very passionately that people need support and help and the ear of someone who has been through something similar.”
“I feel very strongly that there should be a clear support system linked to this level of lifelong surveillance. Whilst I really appreciate the health care and treatment I received, emotional and psychological support is lacking”.
“I know I can provide this help and support and am very excited about my new role”
Carol has been appointed Liver Surveillance Peer Support Lead within the West Yorkshire Liver Care Operational Delivery Network (WYLCODN). As part of her new role, Carol offers peer to peer support, encouraging people to have liver health checks to help detect and diagnose liver cancer as early as possible – when it is easier to treat – whilst also supporting anyone who tests positive.
The checks take place on our mobile clinic vehicle, affectionately known as O-liver. The vehicle is equipped with a Fibroscan machine that travels around Leeds and West Yorkshire, including Bradford, Keighley, Wakefield, Halifax and Huddersfield, which is hosted by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The WYLCODN is a managed NHS network for the treatment of Hepatitis C and other liver diseases and allows the teams to visit high-risk communities as part of a major NHS drive to catch more cancers earlier and save lives.
Following Carol’s induction in November 2023, she first started to pre-call patients in December 2023 (up to February 2024), with the following outcomes:
- 84 patients were contacted
- 35 patients were unable to be contacted
- 13 patients had incorrect contact information
- 1 patient had already had a scan
Out of the 84 patients contacted:
- 82 patients attended their appointment which equates to 97.62%.
- 2 patients did not attend which equates to 2.38%.
Overall, out of the 133 patients booked since Carol started, 112 (84.21%) of people have attended their appointment.
Mobile Liver Health Checks Bring Life-Saving Screenings to West Yorkshire – KLTV
Staff Spotlight: Megan Greasby – Advancing Hepatitis C Elimination in Leeds
Since joining the team, Megan Greasby has quickly become a recognised lead in Forward Leeds’ Hepatitis C elimination efforts. Her proactive approach, strategic outreach, and commitment to underserved communities have strengthened service delivery across Forward Leeds and beyond. Megan’s leadership and initiative continue to support maintenance of Hepatitis C elimination in Leeds, making her a vital part of the team. Megan explains how:
Integration and Impact at Forward Leeds
“Since joining Forward Leeds I have embedded myself into the team. I have identified clients for testing, encouraged open conversations around Hepatitis C, and supported linkage to care. Coordinating World Hepatitis Day testing, I supported over 20 client tests across two hubs and contributed to the city-wide campaign of eliminating Hepatitis C.”
Outreach Leadership
“Partnering with the Hep C Trust, I have led targeted testing in hostels, community hubs, and public events. I represented Forward Leeds at the ODNs ‘Love Your Liver’ week with the British Liver Trust at the event in Leeds, engaging the public in liver health awareness.”
Expanding Reach
“I independently secured Forward Leeds involvement in the Hamara Centre’s Health Awareness Week in Beeston, extending testing into areas with lower healthcare engagement. Doing this has built strong links with York Street Health Practice, initiating plans to improve pathways for clients outside structured care.”
Clinical Collaboration
“My collaboration in multidisciplinary discussions with hepatology nurses from Leeds Teaching Hospitals and the Hep C Trust has strengthened service integration. To do this I have shadowed clinics, joined home visits, and visited a local prison to speak directly with Hep C positive individuals, which has deepened my understanding and impact.
I am committed to bridging the gap between services and underserved communities, with the goal of moving Leeds closer to Hep C re-elimination.”
Driving Hepatitis C Elimination in Bradford: Chiamaka’s Community Impact
Chiamaka Edeh is making a meaningful contribution to Hepatitis C (Hep C) elimination efforts across Bradford, working closely with the hepatology nurses at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, the Operational Delivery Network (ODN) team, GP practices, and community partners. Her role bridges clinical support, patient advocacy, and public health outreach ensuring that testing, treatment, and education reach those who need it most.
As her role continues to evolve, Chiamaka remains committed to supporting equitable access to Hep C care and contributing to the wider public health mission in Bradford.
Chiamaka explains how:
Supporting Testing Events in the Community
“I have actively participated in local Hep C testing events, delivering point-of-care tests and supporting liver health checks. These events, often run in collaboration with the Hep C Trust, ODN nurses and non-clinical team, have helped raise awareness and improve access to early diagnosis.”
Engaging Primary Care for BBV Testing
Recognising the importance of primary care in Hep C elimination, I have reached out to GP surgeries across Bradford to promote Blood Borne Virus (BBV) testing. I have:
- Sent introductory emails to practices outlining my role and the support I offer
- I have personally, delivered letters to surgeries to initiate conversations
- I have attended meetings with interested practices to explore tailored support pathways
These steps aim to embed sustainable BBV testing and treatment access within primary care settings.”
Direct Patient Support and Medication Delivery
“I have provided hands-on support to patients, including delivering Hep C medications during home visits under the guidance of Hepatology nurses. My role ensures that patients with complex needs or limited mobility can still access life-saving treatment.”
Continuous Learning and Patient Education
“I am committed to delivering accurate and empathetic care, I have completed all mandatory training and continue to expand my knowledge of Hep C and liver health. This enables me to confidently educate clients and dispel myths around BBVs.”
Building Partnerships with Local Services
“My outreach extends beyond GP surgeries. I have worked alongside New Vision staff and recently participated in World Hepatitis Day 2025 at Bevan Healthcare, where I hosted a display and engaged staff in conversations about my role. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with Bevan staff expressing interest in a more permanent collaboration.
A tentative meeting with a Bevan nurse is already scheduled to explore how my role could support their patients on an ongoing basis.”
Looking Ahead: A Vision for Impact
“My goal is to make a lasting impact on Hep C elimination in Bradford by:
- Increasing awareness and testing uptake, especially in underserved communities
- Supporting patients with barriers to accessing care
- Strengthening partnerships with GP surgeries and community organisations
- Acting as a bridge between services and patients to improve health outcomes”
“It is my hope that, in due course, my role in GP surgeries will positively impact patients who have difficulty accessing treatment. It will also act as a bridge for them to access BBV testing easily.”
Championing Hepatitis C Elimination in Bradford: A Frontline Perspective – Noreen Bushra
“At New Vision Bradford, the fight against Hepatitis C is not just a public health initiative it’s a deeply personal mission. As a Hepatitis C Outreach Worker, I am proud to play a pivotal role in advancing the micro-elimination of Hepatitis C across our community, combining education, advocacy, and hands-on support to reach those most in need.”
Building Capacity Through Collaboration and Training
“Since joining New Vision, I’ve worked closely with Recovery Coaches (RCs) to strengthen our Blood Borne Virus (BBV) testing efforts and ensure accurate data collection. One of my early contributions was training a new volunteer to conduct BBV tests, equipping her with both technical skills and a deeper understanding of Hepatitis C its impact on liver health, and the broader implications for individuals and communities. This capacity-building approach ensures our outreach is sustainable and informed.”
Leading Community Engagement Events
“I took a leadership role in organising and delivering our World Hepatitis Day event, which offered testing opportunities and raised awareness among service users and staff. I also participated in the Community Liver Health Checks ‘Love Your Liver’ event in Bradford, engaging with diverse community members to promote liver health, facilitate testing, and support liver scans. These events have significantly boosted screening rates and helped normalise conversations around liver health.”
Reaching the Hardest-to-Reach
“In partnership with the Hepatitis C Trust and local outreach teams, I’ve extended our services to clients in hostels and other hard-to-access settings. Many of these individuals face complex barriers to care, including stigma, mistrust, and socioeconomic hardship. By working alongside RCs and using clear, empathetic communication, I’ve helped clients who previously tested positive but were hesitant to seek treatment take the next step toward recovery. I also support them in attending appointments and managing medication delivery and maintaining close contact with hepatology nurses to ensure continuity of care.”
A Personal Commitment to Community Health
“As a Bradford resident, I understand the social and economic challenges that shape health outcomes in our city. This personal connection fuels my commitment to supporting vulnerable groups and breaking down barriers to Hepatitis C treatment. My role is more than a job it’s a responsibility to advocate for equity, empower individuals, and contribute meaningfully to the health and wellbeing of our community.”
Final Thoughts “Through education, outreach, and client advocacy, I am proud to be part of Bradford’s journey toward Hepatitis C elimination. Each test, each conversation, and each appointment attended is a step closer to a healthier, more informed community. Together, we are making a difference one person at a time.”