Welsh Government renews commitment to eliminate hepatitis C with support from health organisations

MAIDENHEAD, Dec. 07, 2017 – AbbVie is sponsoring a roundtable meeting, Chaired by The Hepatitis C Trust and sponsored by Ynys Môn Assembly Member, Rhun ap Iorwerth, to consider how the NHS in Wales can be supported to meet the Government’s commitment to eliminating hepatitis C as a major public health threat in Wales by 2030.1 

The meeting will bring together a range of stakeholders to identify the barriers and opportunities to implementing a new hepatitis framework, published in October by the Welsh Government. 2 The framework aims to prevent the transmission of hepatitis C (HCV) through identifying, testing and treating people currently infected with HCV and those who are engaged in behaviours likely to lead to further transmission of the virus. Included within the framework is a focus on effective and sustained community outreach services to engage people not already in contact with services. 

“Despite being a preventable and now curable condition, hepatitis C has remained a challenge for us to eliminate in many communities including some of the most vulnerable members of society, such as those affected by homelessness, substance misuse, and people from countries where the virus is highly prevalent”, said Dr Brendan Healy, Consultant in Infectious Diseases & Microbiology at the University Hospital of Wales and blood-borne virus lead for Wales, who contributed to the drafting of the new framework.

“Treating people in all of these communities is not only good for them but also good for the population as a whole because it reduces the burden on the healthcare system and it decreases the chances of people in Wales becoming infected (regardless of which part of society they inhabit). The programme in Wales is ambitious and well respected because of its success to date in eradicating hepatitis C from many individuals. There’s still a lot more that needs to be done though, including securing more support and funding, to make sure we’re reaching those who remain undiagnosed and preventing the virus from spreading to others.” 

It is estimated that 12,000 people in Wales are chronically infected with hepatitis C 3 - a curable blood-borne virus that can cause fatal liver damage and cancer if left untreated.4 Wales is among the most highly affected regions in the UK. 1 

Latest Public Health Wales figures suggest there has been an increase in recent transmission of hepatitis C among people who inject drugs in Wales; particularly among younger populations injecting amphetamines that do not have a long-term history of drug misuse. 5

Others thought to be at risk include migrant populations (in particular South Asian and Eastern European communities), men who have sex with men, prisoners, and homeless people. 6 

Speaking at the meeting, Charles Gore, Chief Executive, The Hepatitis C Trust said: “The relatively recent introduction of direct acting anti-viral drugs provides the opportunity, which is so rare in public health, to actually eliminate the virus as a major public health threat. “Wales has the opportunity to lead the way by implementing its framework, which is dedicated to attaining the World Health Organization’s target for eliminating the virus. With a highly motivated and experienced clinical community, and a host of organisations committed to the task, Wales is well-placed to deliver against its ambition.”

The Blood Borne Virus Service led by Dr Healy and his team at the University Hospital of Wales is providing outreach support in the Cardiff & Vale community that they hope to see rolled out across Wales. The service offers ‘one stop shops’ for assessment, diagnosis, liver surveillance and treatment of hepatitis C. These also include drop-in clinics for information, testing and advice.

About The Hepatitis C Trust 

The Hepatitis C Trust is the national UK charity for hepatitis C. It is committed to eliminating hepatitis C as a major public health threat, by 2030, and it provides information, support and representation for all those affected by the disease. Started by patients, almost all of its governing Board of Trustees, paid staff and volunteers are patients. www.hepctrust.org.uk Helpline: 0845 223 4424

References

1 Public Health England, Hepatitis C in England 2017 report, 28 July 2017 

2 Welsh Health Circular (WHC/2017/048), Attaining the WHO targets for eliminating hepatitis (B and C) as a significant threat to public health, 16 October, 2017. http://cardiffandvaleapb.org/download/mediaresources/WHC-2017-048-Attaining-the-WHO-targets-for-eliminating-hepatitis-B-and-C-as-a-significantthreat-to-public-health.pdf (Accessed: November 2017) 

3 Public Health Wales, Hepatitis C, 2017. Available at: www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/43746 (Date Accessed: November 2017) 

4 Harris, R. J. et al. 2016. New treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV): scope for preventing liver disease and HCV transmission in England. J Viral Hepat, 23: 631–643

5 Homar, L. F. et al. Evidence for an increase in recent transmission of hepatitis C amongst people who inject drugs in Wales www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/888/HepC_PWID_SMS_ESCAIDE2015_f.pdf (Accessed: November 2017) 

6 The Hepatitis C Trust, Hepatitis C in Wales: Perspectives, challenges & solutions, 2015. http://hepctrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/Hepatitis%20C%20in%20Wales%20- %20Perspectives%2C%20Challenges%20%26%20Solutions_0.pdf (Accessed: November 2017)

AXHCV171710 Date of preparation: November 2017