Via reaches hepatitis C micro-elimination milestone in Kingston

We’re delighted to confirm that our Kingston Wellbeing Service has reached an important milestone by successfully achieving hepatitis C micro-elimination.

Micro-elimination means the virus has been effectively controlled and treated within our service community, and that a set of key performance metrics have been achieved. These metrics form the national standard for micro-elimination status and directly align with the national mission to eliminate viral Hepatitis in England by 2030.

Across the service, staff ensured that:

• 100% of those in treatment have been offered a hepatitis C test.
• 98-100% of people who currently inject or have previously injected have been tested for hepatitis C.
• 90% of individuals who currently inject or have previously injected have been tested in the last 12 months.
• 90% of people who were diagnosed with hepatitis C at the service have started treatment

By meeting these targets, the service has been formally recognised as having achieved hepatitis C micro-elimination.

Working together

This success was made possible by close, collaborative partnership working with: South Thames Hepatitis C Network – West (hosted by St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), The Hepatitis C Trust, Gilead Sciences, and NHS England.

We’d also like to thank all the staff and volunteers at Kingston Wellbeing Service who have been working tirelessly to promote testing and treatment with the people they work with, on their journey to micro-eliminate hepatitis C.

Katy Scammell, Director of Public Health, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames said: “Eliminating hepatitis C (a virus that harms the liver) is a major goal for Kingston by 2030. Thanks to the hard work of the local drug and alcohol service, Kingston Wellbeing Service, the team has achieved this goal. In the UK, injecting drugs is the biggest risk factor for getting hepatitis C. The great news is that by offering quick tests and early care, the team has successfully treated everyone at the service, helping our residents to stay healthy.”

Sarah Drainey, Drug and Alcohol Commissioning Lead, Kingston said: “I am so proud to share that the Kingston Wellbeing Service has eliminated hepatitis C within the service! This fantastic achievement happened thanks to the hard work of the team and our partners at St George’s Hospital. Most importantly, it is making a real, positive difference in the lives and health of the people in contact with Kingston Wellbeing Service.”

Kamalpreet Kaur, Clinical Lead at Via Kingston Wellbeing Service said: “Achieving hepatitis C micro-elimination in Kingston is a fantastic milestone and one that reflects the hard work and commitment of our clinical team, recovery team, partner organisations and everyone involved in supporting people to access testing and treatment. Hepatitis C is now a curable infection, and this achievement shows what can be achieved when services work together to reach those who need care. While we’re proud to celebrate this success, we’ll continue to focus on making sure people at risk can access testing, treatment and the support they need.”

Marlon Freeman, National Hepatitis C Coordinator at Via said: “Achieving micro-elimination is a significant public health initiative and a goal we have worked towards across all Via services. I would like to congratulate the team at Kingston Wellbeing Service for their continued commitment to delivering effective harm reduction interventions and improving health outcomes for the people they support. Knowing your hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV status is vital to accessing care early if needed and staying healthy.”

Pictured above: the team from Kingston Wellbeing Service