The Hepatitis C Trust welcomes Scottish committee report on Preventative Action and Public Health

The Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee has today published a report on ‘Preventative Action and Public Health’, which calls on the Scottish Government to release an elimination plan for hepatitis C.
The Committee recognises that testing and early treatment of hepatitis C is key. It reports that the National Screening Committee is currently considering introducing screening for hepatitis C for pregnant women. The report also notes that opt-out blood borne virus (BBV) testing for new prisoners in Scotland is being discussed with NHS Boards and the Scottish Prison Service.
The Committee calls on the Scottish Government to provide its assessment of the potential to eliminate hepatitis C in Scotland and says the Committee would “welcome any plans from the Scottish Government to introduce an elimination plan”. A strategy for hepatitis C elimination in Scotland is expected to be published in the near future.
Rachael Halford, Chief Executive of The Hepatitis C Trust said: “Like the Health and Sport Committee, we welcome the Scottish Government’s plans to release a hepatitis C elimination strategy, which offers the opportunity for Scotland to reinforce its reputation as a world leader in tackling hepatitis C.”
The Hepatitis C Trust submitted written evidence to the inquiry, which is available here. The Hepatitis C Trust’s submission included a copy of our ‘Eliminating Hepatitis C in Scotland: A Call to Action’ report, which was presented to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at an awareness-raising event in Scottish Parliament last week (see picture).
A video of the oral evidence session Petra Wright, Scottish Officer at the Hepatitis C Trust, contributed to is available to view here.