Written Question · S5W-33375 · Session 5
What steps it is taking to gather updated hepatitis C prevalence estimates in order to (a) inform targets for NHS boards for hepatitis C tr…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to gather updated hepatitis C prevalence estimates in order to (a) inform targets for NHS boards for hepatitis C treatment and (b) measure progress towards hepatitis C elimination.
The answer
Public Health Scotland (PHS) are responsible for gathering data on the prevalence of Hepatitis C infection in Scotland.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, PHS have advised that the gathering of data on the prevalence of the HCV infected population in Scotland has been paused and will be resumed in 2021.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has had considerable impact on sexual health and blood borne viruses (SHBBV) services this year, the Scottish Government and partners remain committed to eliminating Hepatitis C by 2024.
We have made two commitments in our 2020-21 Programme for Government that will directly impact our progress towards eliminating Hepatitis C by 2024. The first is to develop a Recovery Plan for SHBBV services to help respond to the impacts of COVID-19 in 2021. The second is towork with the Scottish Health Protection Network, third sector and people who use services to understand how the Tayside approach, which resulted in the elimination of Hepatitis C 11 years ahead of the 2030 World Health Organisation target in that health board area, can be replicated across Scotland.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, PHS have advised that the gathering of data on the prevalence of the HCV infected population in Scotland has been paused and will be resumed in 2021.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has had considerable impact on sexual health and blood borne viruses (SHBBV) services this year, the Scottish Government and partners remain committed to eliminating Hepatitis C by 2024.
We have made two commitments in our 2020-21 Programme for Government that will directly impact our progress towards eliminating Hepatitis C by 2024. The first is to develop a Recovery Plan for SHBBV services to help respond to the impacts of COVID-19 in 2021. The second is towork with the Scottish Health Protection Network, third sector and people who use services to understand how the Tayside approach, which resulted in the elimination of Hepatitis C 11 years ahead of the 2030 World Health Organisation target in that health board area, can be replicated across Scotland.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-33375 by reference.