Published on 24 October 2022

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Jo Trask, left, and Ellie Gunner-Taylor

The innovative work of the Health Inequalities and Patient Experience team at Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance has been recognised after it was shortlisted for a national award.

The HIPE team, led by Jo Trask, Macmillan Patient Experience and Health Inequalities Manager, have worked on a number of projects to increase access to cancer services by diverse communities in Cheshire and Merseyside.

These projects include creating toolkits for community groups to drive awareness of cancer signs and symptoms; information for clinicians to better interact with cancer patients who may face barriers to accessing treatment and care; and running a series of roadshows in places across the sub-region to meet the public and promote screening and other cancer-related issues.

The team has been shortlisted in the 2022 Excellence in Health Creation Alliance awards, in the Best Health Creating Population Health Management Approach category. Jo and Alliance colleagues will be attending the awards ceremony in London next Thursday (October 26th).

After the awards ceremony, Jo has been invited to a reception hosted by Health Creation at the House of Lords. Sponsored by Lord Victor Adebowale, CBE, the reception celebrates and completes Health Creation: Coming of Age, its week-long series of learning events, at which Jo was a speaker.

Jo said: “I am delighted that the hard work of the Alliance’s Health Inequalities and Patient Experience team, especially our excellent Macmillan Quality Improvement Officer Ellie Gunner-Taylor, has been recognised in this way.

"We have worked hard to break down barriers for people in our area who may find it harder than others to access the cancer services, treatment and care that they deserve.

“I am also honoured to be able to share some of the learning of what we have achieved in Cheshire and Merseyside at the Health Creation reception in the House of Lords. I’m sure there will also be the opportunity to hear how others across the country are tackling this important issue."