I have worked with Lizi Sims for 6 years as a Hepatology clinical nurse specialist. Three years ago, Lizi left the hospital-based service to set up a service in the community in order to allow patients, who are historically difficult to engage, to be able to access hepatitis C treatment.
Lizi provides clinics at several drug and alcohol centres across the region and has recently begun to provide clinics at homeless hostels.
Lizi provides testing for all blood-borne viruses and then facilitates treatment for hepatitis C virus in those settings if needed. This service has allowed a large number of patients to be tested and treated, which may never otherwise have occurred, as this patient group is often reluctant to attend a hospital setting.
Lizi provides tailored support to each patient, seeing them whenever they can attend and texting them to remind them about appointments and to see how they are. Lizi provides outstanding care to these patients. Without her, they would be very unlikely to receive treatment.