HCV "Follow Me" project roll out

In response to this the Hepatitis C Trust (HCT) have been successful in developing and implementing projects across the UK, designed to support diagnostic testing and linkage to care of HCV in a variety of settings. This includes a Follow Me Project which sees the deployment of peer support workers (with lived experience of HCV) to settings and services working with high prevalence communities to carry out testing for viral hepatitis. This resulting in individuals being given appropriate advice on reducing the risk of onward transmission, signposted to an appropriate service for further intervention, supported in attending the service and supported through treatment. This peer-based intervention has been designed to improve access to testing and treatment and deliver effective treatments to these high prevalent groups with all of the associated benefits including improved individual health, reduced morbidity and mortality, reduced transmission and reduced need for expensive health care and utilisation of scarce resource.

Despite the outcomes and progress achieved to date, limitations made to National Liver Disease Implementation Group funding has not permitted further extensions to the HCT national contract, and continuation of Follow Me Project activities beyond May 2023. In order to prevent loss of progress, maintenance of peer networks and ensure continuation of service the CAV Area Planning Board have agreed to commission the service as part of its Welsh Government Revenue Grant core funding. Thus, ensuring the HCT continues to work alongside commissioned Substance Misuse Services and associated partners to enhance activities aimed at preventing, diagnosis of HCV infections and linkage to treatment and care. As part of this commission it is expected the service would continue to deliver the following activities (but not limited to):

Delivery of specialist training, awareness raising workshops across APB partner services.

Consult and offer specialist advice to APB partner services on enhancing current BBV diagnosis and treatment pathways.

Undertake community testing events .

Undertake routine testing on those most at risk.

Supporting those with a HCV diagnosis into treatment, including those lost to follow up.

Support local HCV Clinical Nurse Specialists find and follow up patients.

In addition to the above, it is intended the HCT Follow Me Project team (Project Coordinator and Peer Support Lead) would continue to develop its network of volunteer peers across Cardiff and Vale UHB, as highlighted above, to support delivery of workshop activities and directly engage clients of relevant services into testing and treatment where needed. This work would require the project Peer Coordinator supported by the Hepatitis C Trust (HCT) Regional Manager to continue in its development and maintenance of local partnerships across the Health Board and explore opportunities for the project to be scaled up, expanded, and supported through existing services.