05 September 2024
Drug and alcohol charity WithYou, partnered with Gilead Sciences, has achieved micro-elimination of hepatitis C across its North Somerset services; a huge step towards NHS England’s target to eliminate the virus by 2025.
Hepatitis C is a bloodborne virus which can cause liver cirrhosis and cancer. Early testing is vital, as quick detection and treatment reduces the likelihood of serious liver damage. More than 90% of people who are treated can be cured.
Working with their partners, Bristol and Severn Operational Delivery Network and Bristol Royal Infirmary NHS Foundation Trust, the charity has been actively raising awareness of the importance of testing and treatment, which includes taking testing right to people’s doorsteps.
Gill Flanagan, WithYou’s Head of Service Delivery in North Somerset, says:
“If left untreated hepatitis C can cause serious and potentially life-threatening damage. But we’ve made so much progress in recent years, and now 90% of people who are treated can be cured.
“It’s really important for us to do what works to help our clients. It’s been a whole team effort from testing new clients straightaway, testing people when they’re visiting, setting up stalls at the hospital, and going to meet people in their own homes.
“I’m so proud of the North Somerset WithYou staff who have put so much dedication and commitment into supporting our clients to get tested and achieve micro-elimination of hep C.”
One of WithYou North Somerset’s healthcare assistants, Hannah Ritchie, was appointed as the charity’s hep C Champion. Hannah has spearheaded the work - boosting the confidence of staff, and supporting clients. For those who test positive, she helps them through the whole process - ensuring they get the right treatment and checking in on how they’re progressing.
Rickie Bartlett, WithYou’s Clinical Lead in North Somerset, says:
“Every successful treatment, every person who is now free from hepatitis C is a direct result of the relentless efforts and hard work of our staff.
“Some of our clients were hesitant to get tested for a long time. We spoke to them all and explained how important micro-elimination is. This isn’t just about helping people in North Somerset - we’re playing our part to stamp out this virus in the UK, and the whole world.
“This milestone is just the beginning. We have proven what is possible when we come together with a common goal. Our next step is full elimination.”
Emma Lamond, Director of Integrated Treatment at WithYou, said:
“As an organisation, we are committed to — and passionate about — eliminating hepatitis C and supporting NHS England and partners to achieve and sustain our shared ambition. We recognise that clients may not always disclose their past injecting history or other risk factors; that’s why we want to challenge the stigma that surrounds hepatitis. Through these interventions, we have an opportunity to bust those myths, raise awareness, and empower people to stay safe and make informed decisions.
“There is of course still work to be done — we must continue our comprehensive testing programme to sustain micro-elimination status and strive towards complete elimination of hepatitis C going forward which includes strengthening our harm reduction provision and reaching more people .”
“I would like to thank the North Somerset team and our partners who have achieved micro-elimination; the impact they’ve had is extraordinary. Their hard work means our clients have a greater chance of receiving timely, appropriate and successful treatment.”
Micro-elimination is defined as:
- 100% of clients in structured treatment are offered a hepatitis C test
- 100% of those with a history of injecting have been tested
- 90% of current and previous injectors (at risk) have a hepatitis C test date within the last 12 months
- 90% of clients who’ve tested positive for hepatitis have commenced treatment
Most hepatitis C infections occur through exposure to blood from unsafe injection practices, unsafe health care, unscreened blood transfusions and some sexual practices, but the virus can also be shared through tattoos, sharing razors and even toothbrushes.
Across the world, around 58 million people live with chronic hepatitis C, and there are around 1.5 million new infections each year. The NHS have committed to eliminating hepatitis C before 2025, and through achieving micro-elimination, the service has played a key part in helping the NHS to achieve this target.
