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.
Watch hereAntenatal
NHS England has a national aim of eliminating hepatitis C 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 hepatitis C, recognising that hepatitis C can be prevented, identified, and cured. It is estimated there are currently 60,000 people in England who are unaware they have a hepatitis C infection.
If the hepatitis C virus is not identified and treated this can lead to liver damage, cancer, and death. There are a number of risk factors for hepatitis C 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.
