Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the publication of the report by the Hepatitis C Trust and HCV Action on Reframing Reinfection in March 2022, what steps he is taking to understand and address the needs of people with complex needs who are not yet being reached, diagnosed and treated for Hepatitis C.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) publishes an annual report which summarises the prevalence of hepatitis C infection in England and areas for action. This includes estimates of re-infection following treatment and how this should be addressed, such as annual testing for those most at risk in line with guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. The latest report ‘Hepatitis C in England 2022: Working to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health problem’ is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1057271/HCV-in-England-2022-full-report.pdf

NHS England’s hepatitis C elimination programme has approximately 40 elimination initiatives aimed at identifying patients, testing, prevention and treatment. The programme is now focusing on those who may be unaware that they have historically been ‘at risk’, through testing in emergency departments, antenatal services and primary care.