Non-clinical staff from the West Yorkshire Liver Care Operational Delivery Network (ODN) and peers from The Hepatitis C Trust’s West Yorkshire team are celebrating a major achievement after successfully completing newly accredited Foundation Programme in Public Health (Levels 1 and 2), recognised by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH).
Delivered through Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, the programme consists of online classroom sessions and provides essential knowledge in core areas of public health and reinforces the principle that tackling health inequalities is a shared responsibility across all sectors.
Some of the key themes explored during the course include:
- Foundational knowledge and understanding of health inequalities
- The importance of system-wide collaboration in tackling inequalities
- Strengthening the reach, quality, and impact of health promotion, protection, and prevention initiatives
The programme is designed for individuals whose roles directly or indirectly influence population health, including staff working within NHS services, the wider health and social care workforce, and third sector organisations.
Both the ODN team and Hepatitis C Trust peers work daily to improve outcomes for people at risk of liver disease and viral hepatitis. Their participation in the programme has enhanced their knowledge, strengthened their ability to influence change, and supported the embedding of public health principles into frontline practice.
The learning has encouraged both teams to think differently about service delivery, partnership working, and engaging diverse communities, while aligning with their mission to raise awareness of liver health across West Yorkshire.
The successful completion of the programme represents a significant step in expanding public health knowledge among non-clinical staff. It highlights how their work positively contributes to liver care and the elimination of viral hepatitis, while emphasising a shared commitment to improving health outcomes and supporting high-risk communities across the region.