Anyone worried they may be at risk of Hepatitis C can now order a confidential test online through the NHS website.
Hepatitis C is preventable, treatable, and curable for most people. If left untreated, however, the infection over time can lead to scarring on the liver (cirrhosis), liver failure or cancer.
The earlier people find out whether they are infected, the better the chance of a long and healthy life, and no further onward transmission.
Last year, the NHS launched a testing service, allowing people to easily and discreetly get tested for Hepatitis C from the comfort of their home using a free home test kit available on the NHS website.
Self-testing is simple – order the free confidential kit, take your sample by simply pricking your finger and collecting some blood and post your sample to the lab.
The person will then be contacted with their test result within two weeks. If an individual tests positive, a member of the Sussex Hepatology Network will call to discuss the result and next steps regarding treatment.
Duncan Cresswell, Clinical Networks Manager (Hepatitis C/HIV) at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust said: “In Sussex, we’re on a mission to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2025 and we really need your help! Last year the UK Health & Security Agency estimated that there were more than 60,000 people left to treat in England, with many of them undiagnosed and completely unaware of the infection. If we’re going to find the undiagnosed patients and reach elimination, we need as many people as possible across Sussex to get tested.
“We can only reach elimination in Sussex with your help, so please order a test today and together we can make Hepatitis C a thing of the past!”
Since it was introduced, more than 1,000 tests have been ordered in Sussex and four people have been identified as being positive for Hepatitis C through this self-testing method and are receiving treatment and care.
Hepatitis C can be treated with a free course of tablets from the NHS, this highly effective treatment has minimal side effects and has a 95% cure rate.
The Sussex Hepatology Network, set up in 2016, is responsible for delivering Hepatitis C treatment across the whole county and is comprised of two NHS Trusts: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust), covering Brighton & Hove and West Sussex locations, and East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT).
As well as other NHS trusts, they also collaborate with many different partner organisations, all of which are working toward the same goal of eliminating Hepatitis C in the UK by 2025.
The network have recently been raising awareness for the test-at-home service in The Argus and on bus stops in Worthing, Brighton and Eastbourne to encourage more people across Sussex to get tested.
Since 2016, the network has delivered more than 2,000 Hepatitis C treatments to patients and out of all the networks in England, they treat the highest proportion of patients outside of hospital settings, focusing on making treatment as accessible as possible for people across Sussex.