Resources

In recognition of the exceptionally high prevalence of blood borne viruses (BBVs), in particular hepatitis C, amongst people in prisons and previously very low rates of testing, in October 2013 Public Health England (PHE), NHS England and the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) agreed to introduce opt-out testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV across the prison estate by 2016/17.

On 2nd - 4th September 2015 in Glasgow, the World Hepatitis Alliance staged the first ever World Hepatitis Summit in conjunction with the World Health Organisation and the Scottish Government. Over eighty countries were represented at the Summit which brought together delegates from national governments, World Hepatitis Alliance member organisations, public health and the pharmaceutical industry.

A hepatitis C peer to peer (P2P) mentoring project established in 2012, in partnership with The Hepatitis C Trust, in order to engage with and support people who have, or may be at risk from, hepatitis C. As an extension of the project, in 2014 a series of testing events were held in order to both raise awareness of hepatitis C among people at risk, and also to increase the numbers of people tested, with mentors playing a key role in ensuring that those being engaged with were fully supported throughout.

This report provides a summary of the good practice hepatitis C roadshow held by HCV Action and Public Health England on 24th November 2015. The roadshow was aimed at sharing good practice around hepatitis C and other BBVs, and instigating local action to address the virus. The report includes summaries of the talks and workshops held on the day, as well as suggested next steps to be taken in order to tackle hepatitis C more effectively in the Brighton and wider Sussex area.