| Accessing hepatitis C testing can be difficult for many of those more likely to have been at risk. Often the service offering testing is far away, or people are frightened of having blood taken, or they simply don’t know they’re at risk. These are important reasons why most people with hepatitis C in the UK today are still undiagnosed. | |  |
The Hepatitis C Trust’s outreach & testing van is designed to overcome some of these barriers to diagnosis. We target the most at risk populations in an area where testing’s not yet easily available, and we go to them, offering clear information and advice from trained staff as well as on the spot rapid antibody testing.
Before we arrive we work with local services to publicise the visit to ensure we make the most of our time there, and that the right facilities and onward referral steps are in place. Sometimes what’s needed most is information and we often attend events to raise awareness and help educate people about hepatitis C.
We are now planning the second stage of the project. In March, the van will move on from London and begin a 9 month tour of the UK. A broad schedule has been set for 2012, setting out when we will be planning the bulk of our visits to each region:
| January – March March –April May – June June – July July – August August – September September – October October – November November – December | | London West Midlands East Midlands Yorkshire & the Humber South West South East North East North West East of England |
For more information, or to book a visit, please contact Leila Reid at testingvan@hepctrust.org.uk or on 020 7089 6220
