As we mark World Hepatitis Day, the Lanarkshire Blood Borne Virus (BBV) Network has outlined how it’s helping tackle hepatitis C.
The network leads on all aspects of BBV-related work across Lanarkshire, including the delivery of the Scottish Government’s Hepatitis C Elimination Strategy.
One of Lanarkshire’s pivotal BBV services is the Lanarkshire Harm Reduction Team (HRT), a specialist service based at Coathill Hospital in Coatbridge. The HRT delivers targeted testing and harm reduction interventions to high-risk groups, and is critical to helping eliminate hep C in both Lanarkshire and Scotland.
Leon Wylie, HRT Team Lead, said: “We’re currently focusing on improving access to hep C testing for those who most need it.
“Using a specially-equipped clinical van we already deliver a vital outreach service right across Lanarkshire. With new testing technology that can give results within an hour of a test, the team can use this in community settings such as homeless units and soup kitchens, lowering the barriers to someone knowing their hep C status. This makes it much faster and easier for people with the virus to get treatment.
“The outreach van provides a person-centred, anonymous and needs-led service. The two specialist staff offer a wide range of injecting equipment tailored to individual needs, with safer injecting advice, overdose awareness and naloxone training, wound care, BBV testing and vaccination, sexual health support and many links to wider services such as treatment, housing and debt support. As a team, we also oversee the 27 community pharmacies delivering injecting equipment, as well as being the naloxone lead for Lanarkshire.
“The goal isn’t to pretend drug use is ever fully safe but to make it less risky, keep people alive and healthier, and connect them to help in a respectful, confidential way.
“Our core mission is to reduce the health and social harms linked to drug use – both for individuals and for communities. The team works with often highly marginalised patient groups using an approach rooted in compassion and respect, recognising that drug use is a complex health and social issue, not a moral failing.
“The experience and specialist knowledge of the team delivers many positive short and long-term health outcomes for people using the service. Our service runs at full capacity amid rising demand, showing just how important it is to reducing harm and promoting health in Lanarkshire.”
- Lanarkshire BBV Network Education Programme: Webinar – Hep C: Lets Break It Down. As part of a series of education webinars, the Lanarkshire BBV Network will be delivering a webinar to raise awareness of hepatitis C globally, nationally and in Lanarkshire. It will be held on Wednesday 29 July, 12.30pm to 1.30pm, delivered by Leon Wylie, Lanarkshire HRT Team Leader. Register here Hep C: Lets Break It Down or contact BBVNetwork@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
