Event will raise awareness of Hepatitis C as UHDB initiative supports diagnosis for patients attending Emergency Departments
An event to raise awareness and boost testing for Hepatitis C is taking place in Derby city centre next week.
Hepatitis C is a curable form of viral hepatitis, a virus which causes inflammation of the liver and is usually contracted via blood-to-blood contact. If left undetected and untreated, hepatitis C can cause liver cirrhosis (irreversible liver scarring) and liver cancer. Due to its often symptomless nature, early detection is vital. Treatment can support curing the virus in 98% of cases and can be completed in 8-12 weeks.
Earlier this year, colleagues at Royal Derby Hospital and Queen's Hospital Burton launched an opt-out scheme in our emergency departments so that all patients aged 16 or over would automatically be tested for blood-borne viruses - including Hepatitis C - unless they wish not to be. Since then, more than 30,000 patients have been tested and 37 patients have received a new hepatitis C diagnosis.
In a bid to increase awareness and testing, the Nottingham University Hospitals viral hepatitis team, which is based at Queens Medical Centre, will be hosting a Hepatitis C Testing Roadshow, in collaboration with The Hepatitis C Trust Charity, at St Peter's Quarter, St Peter's Street, Derby.
Anyone who would like a test for hepatitis C is welcome to attend the event. If you are unable to attend for a test on the day, you can order a free and discreet test to your home via the website >