Testing and Treating Hepatitis C in a UK Remand Prison

Testing for bloodborne viruses, including hepatitis C, in a remand prison poses challenges for prison healthcare staff. If untreated, hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure, but early identification and treatment can prevent liver damage.

An article in Nursing Times explains how one remand prison in the UK changed from dry blood spot testing to rapid oral swabs with confirmatory viral load testing, using a rapid molecular testing machine. The initiative also secured the involvement of prisoner peers. Combined, this approach led to an increase in the number of prisoners tested and subsequently treated with hepatitis C antiviral therapy, as well as normalising testing within the prison and reducing any associated stigma.

Access the full article here.

Source: Nursing Times