Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if NHS England will take steps to engage third sector providers and the boarder hepatitis C community on how an elimination procurement strategy for hepatitis C could deliver in practice.

The Government is committed to meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) target of eliminating hepatitis C by 2030.

NHS England is responsible for procurement of new hepatitis C treatments. In addition to their usual procurements, NHS England is currently engaged in preparing a new strategic procurement for hepatitis C treatments. The perspectives and expertise of third sector, clinical and other hepatitis C representatives have already influenced the planning for that procurement and NHS England expects this to continue in the context of the rules which govern such procurements.

Public Health England has also developed and shared materials with a range of stakeholders, including third sector providers, to help raise awareness of hepatitis C infection and highlight the need for those at risk to seek testing and treatment. The resources and materials available comprise of posters, a quiz, social media videos and social banners in a variety of different languages; all of these resources are available online to download or order by healthcare professionals and third sector providers as well as the general public. The resources are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vaccine-update-issue-272-november-2017

https://publichealthengland-immunisati.app.box.com/s/iptxtlziu57evyejw8zgvhimh0pjwa05