Summary report: Hepatitis C in the justice system - going beyond prisons

This Public Health England report covers the findings of analyses of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic response on sexually transmitted infection (STI), HIV and viral hepatitis service provision and epidemiology. Despite a resurgence in hepatitis C testing and treatment initiations from June 2020, testing and treatment initiations in the summer of 2020 were considerably lower than in corresponding months in 2019. The report notes that "HCV testing through traditional venues may not have reached those in greatest need", describing this is "of particular concern".

This document details the pilot of a prison to community 'Follow Me' project in the North East of England which took place in 2020. The scheme was designed to help support people who left prison during treatment and facilitate effective follow-up and assertive outreach in the community with people once they had been released. It builds on The Hepatitis C Trusts peer support work, which involves a 'Follow Me' programme in which people are supported as they undertake treatment.