Published on 20 March 2026
A patient representative with Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance (CMCA) has been appointed to a national Patient and Public Voice forum supporting NHS England’s National Cancer Programme, giving the region a direct role in shaping cancer work at a national level.
Jo Williams, who is also a Senior Programme Manager with the Cheshire and Merseyside Diagnostic Programme, will represent CMCA on the forum, contributing insight from both lived experience and professional work on diagnostic pathways and digital projects.
Jo said her focus will be to bring patient perspectives – particularly from Cheshire and Merseyside – into national discussions. “I love being able to share the voices of Cheshire and Merseyside, advocating for those going through any part of the cancer journey and beyond,” she said, adding that she is often involved in digital projects and “one off requests for insight from a breast cancer patient”.
Jo said she initially hesitated to put herself forward for the role. “When the opportunity to be involved in the Patient and Public Voice forum for the National Cancer Programme came up last year, my imposter syndrome initially got the better of me and I decided not to apply,” she said. “Several months later, thanks to the Cancer Alliance’s enthusiastic encouragement, I realised that I actually had a lot to give and after a several-stage recruitment process, I was over the moon to be appointed.
“In addition to lived patient experience, I'm able to use my strategic knowledge of diagnostic pathways to support the National Cancer Programme projects I get involved in, along with my digital project experience.”
Jenny Brazier, CMCA’s Patient Engagement Senior Project Officer, said the appointment highlights the value of patient leadership in improving services across the system. “Jo brings a rare combination of lived experience and programme expertise, and we’re delighted she’ll be representing Cheshire and Merseyside on a national stage,” she said.
Jo added: “I feel incredibly grateful to have survived an aggressive breast cancer and turn it into a positive, despite living with challenging late effects. A huge thank you must go to my team in the Cheshire and Merseyside Diagnostics Programme, who are so supportive of me.”