NHS England has announced the launch of a new Multidisciplinary Operational Delivery Network (ODN) to treat children and young people with hepatitis C (HCV) in England.
The team will be led by Professor Deirdre Kelly, Professor of Paediatric Hepatology at the University of Birmingham, Consultant Paediatric Hepatologist and Founding Director of the Liver Unit for Birmingham Women’s & Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and includes clinicians from the three National Paediatric Liver Units; paediatric infectious disease clinicians; parent and patient organisations and representation from regional centres.
The service launched on 1st April 2021 and will hold monthly virtual meetings with the first meeting planned for 21st April 2021. Referring paediatricians are welcome to join these virtual meetings to discuss their patients and/or arrange a face-to-face appointment if families or clinicians wish. Treatment will be provided through the referring centre within four weeks of the meeting. The mutli-disciplinary team (MDT) will provide support and advice to referring clinicians and families as required.
Clinicians from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are welcome to refer patients for advice about treatment and attend the virtual MDT meetings if wished. Funding arrangements for HCV therapy will be as per local agreement.
For further information, referral details and for a Referral Registration Form, contact national.hcvpmdt@nhs.net.