MPs debate hepatitis C elimination

MPs today (12th June) held a debate in Westminster Hall on eliminating hepatitis C, led by Sir David Amess MP (pictured). The debate was secured following the publication of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Liver Health’s ‘Eliminating Hepatitis C in England’ report in March of this year, which The Hepatitis C Trust supported as the secretariat for the group.
The debate saw contributions from MPs from a range of different parties, with the need for an awareness campaign for hepatitis C repeatedly highlighted. MPs also emphasised the importance of increasing testing rates and removing any restrictions on access to treatment for hepatitis C.
Responding at the end of the debate, Public Health Minister Steve Brine said that the Government is committed to “meeting and beating” the World Health Organization goal of elimination by 2030, and promised to respond in writing to each recommendation of the ‘Eliminating Hepatitis C in England’ report.
The full debate can be viewed on the Parliament TV website here and a full transcipt of the debate can be read here.