Latest News, reports & updates

London Joint Working Group launches peer-based Hackney Harm Reduction Hub

The London Joint Working Group on Substance Use and Hepatitis C (LJWG) is proud to have launched a new peer-based Hackney Harm Reduction Hub, working with our partners from Hackney Council and The Hepatitis C Trust and with people with living or lived experience of substance use.

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Exploration of a peer-based harm reduction hub in London

Published today in the report, the case study says: Exploration of a peer-based harm reduction hub in London To reduce the harms associated with injecting drug use, Hackney Council commissioned the London Joint Working Group on Substance Use and Hepatitis C (LJWG) to scope the feasibility of developing a peer-based harm reduction hub, which would...

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Peer-based harm reduction – an essential step in the fight against hepatitis C?

We are living in a time of real hope for the elimination of hepatitis C, with work to find and treat hepatitis C bringing about a 43% fall in cases in England since 2015. NHS England even suggest the country is on track to eliminate the virus as a public health threat by 2025. However, new...

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December 2022 news: London Health Board, Emergency Department opt-out testing & 2023 plans

As we near the end of 2022, the latest newsletter from the London Joint Working Group on Substance Use and Hepatitis C (LJWG) touches on successes this year and our plans for 2023. We note Dr Emily Finch and Dr Kosh Agarwal’s presentation to the Mayor of London and London Health Board on hepatitis C...

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Dr Emily Finch & Dr Kosh Agarwal speak to London Health Board

They spoke about marked improvements Dr Agarwal had seen in liver health at King’s College Hospital due to new treatments now available for hepatitis C, but also the continued impact of stigma on those living with the virus, the need for an integrated response in London, a clear focus on Blood Borne Viruses and greater...

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LJWG conference 2022 – videos now available

The conference heard from experts about the barriers and solutions to London becoming the first global city to eliminate hepatitis C, with speakers including Dr Tom Coffey OBE (Health Advisor, Mayor of London) and Dr Monica Desai (UK Health Security Agency). We were joined by almost 100 guests, with more joining us by livestream link....

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New: agenda & speakers for our annual conference – June 16th

As we work together to make London the first global city to eliminate hepatitis C, this conference is a key opportunity to hear from experts and network with colleagues from across all relevant sectors. The event will be primarily in-person at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1 Birdcage Walk, London, SW1H 9JJ and we encourage as...

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New report: peer-based needle exchange service in London

With 43% of people who inject drugs reporting sharing needles or works in 2020, the overall level of hepatitis C transmission changing little in recent years and infections amongst people who inject drugs increasing, there is clearly a need for renewed investment and innovation in harm reduction services. Funded by Hackney Council as part of...

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Mayor of London thanks everyone involved in hepatitis C elimination efforts in London

Sadiq said: On World Hepatitis Day, I’m pleased to join leaders across the world to pledge my support for eliminating hepatitis C here in London. The NHS, Public Health England, charities and patient advocates across London have been working tirelessly in recent years to raise awareness of hepatitis C, offer testing to people who have...

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UK embraces Spring Euro Testing Week after year of disruption from COVID-19

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