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Antenatal

NHS England has a national aim of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat ahead of 2030, as part of a wider global World Health Organisation goal.  Hep C U Later exists to support the elimination of viral hepatitis.

Hepatitis C can be prevented, identified, and cured with a simple course of tablets. It is estimated there are currently less than 60,000 people in England who are unaware they have a hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis B can be prevented with a course of vaccinations, identified through testing and managed with effective treatments.  It is estimated there are currently 269,000 people in England who living with hepatitis B, and just over half are unaware they have the virus.

If viral hepatitis is not identified and managed, or treated, this can lead to liver damage, cancer, and death.   There are a number of ways viral hepatitis can be transmitted, and people do not always recognise they have the infection due to a lack of symptoms.  The only way to know is to engage people in testing.

“Picking up hepatitis C infection in pregnancy, alongside other tests that are already conducted, reduces the future harms related to infection for both mother and baby. Effective treatment is available to both – mum after delivery and baby from the age of three.  So for every case identified, that’s potentially two life-threatening health issues that can be solved. This is why NHS England is working to progress a testing programme in antenatal services that will help us to eliminate the virus from expectant mothers and their children.”

Mark Gillyon-Powell, Head of NHSE’s HCV elimination programme

Hep C U Later: Hepatitis C in Pregnancy

In this video professionals working within antenatal services, and hepatitis C elimination, discuss the importance, impact, and implementation of antenatal hepatitis C screening.

Further Hep C U Later Antenatal Videos

Reaching England's Undiagnosed

This is the introductory summary video of a set of videos we have to help inform, and raise awareness of hepatitis C for professionals working within antenatal services.

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Transmission

Watch this short video with Ashley Brown, Professor of Viral Hepatology, and Deidre Kelly, Professor of Paediatric Hepatology, discussing the importance of hepatitis C testing in antenatal services and hepatitis C treatment for children aged 3-18.

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Inside the Laboratory: The Path of an Antenatal Sample

In this short video Alison Cope, Consultant Virologist tells us more about the path of antenatal samples inside the laboratory and how additional testing for hepatitis C can easily be added.

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Antibody Testing in Antenatal Care: Balancing Costs and Capacity

In this short video Alison Cope, Consultant Virologist, and Sarah Williams, Screening Midwife, talks about balancing cost and capacity when screening for hepatitis C in antenatal services.

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Breaking the Cycle: Hepatitis C Treatment and Maternal Care

Watch this short video with Sarah Williams, Screening Midwife, discussing the importance of testing in antenatal services and what it means to be diagnosed with hepatitis C.

Watch here

Do you want to learn more about hepatitis C? You can access our CPD accredited training for free!

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Resources

Hepatitis C Leaflet

Download our 'Everything you need to know' hepatitis C leaflet

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Antenatal Factsheet

Download our factsheet on hepatitis C in antenatal care.

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GP Poster with the QR Code

Download our GP Poster which includes a QR code that directs you to the national testing portal

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Guidelines and Documents