Latest News, reports & updates

LJWG shortlisted for C+D awards for innovative hepatitis C pharmacy testing pilot

May 10, 2019

Working closely with 8 pharmacies across London, our hepatitis C pharmacy testing project offered point-of-care tests to people who use needle exchange services, engaging with and meeting the unmet needs of this vulnerable and high-risk group. The project developed a working model of testing and referral into treatment that is now being rolled out in...

London Assembly passes motion calling on Mayor to raise awareness of hepatitis C

February 8, 2019

The motion stated: “This Assembly believes that hepatitis C is a serious public health and health inequalities issue in London and urges the London Mayor, in his role as Chair of the London Health Board, to lead efforts to raise awareness about the condition and new curative treatments available. This Assembly also calls on the...

7 years to go: Healthcare leaders call for united approach to eliminate hepatitis C by 2025

December 5, 2018

More must be done to coordinate drugs services, prisons, pharmacies, GP practices and secondary care around one strategic vision if London is to become the first global city to eliminate hepatitis C, the annual conference of the London Joint Working Group on Substance Use and Hepatitis C (LJWG) heard this week. The conference brought together...

LJWG awarded ‘Highly Commended’ for showing Excellence in Collaboration and Partnerships for our pharmacy testing pilot

November 27, 2018

On 22 November 2018 the LJWG was awarded ‘Highly Commended’ for ‘Excellence in Collaboration and Partnerships’ at the prestigious PMEA awards for phase 1 of our HCV pharmacy testing pilot. The awards night was hosted by TV presenter Natasha Kaplinsky. The judges commented saying: “The work by LJWG on Substance Use and Hepatitis C, MSD...

London Mayor questioned about absence of action on hepatitis C in London Health Inequalities Strategy

September 19, 2018

In the first plenary session after the summer recess, Susan Hall AM raised this issue with the London Mayor, explaining: “Hepatitis C is a significant issue which impacts on the lives of many Londoners and disproportionately affects some of our most vulnerable and excluded citizens… We could be the first global city to rid ourselves...

Articles on the launch of the LJWG’s pharmacy testing pilot report

June 21, 2018

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, ‘Pharmacies can help in the battle to beat hepatitis C’ by Dr Suman Verma: http://blog.rpharms.com/tag/needle-exchange/ Chemist + Druggist: https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/news/steve-brine-legislation-pharmacy-contract-hepatitis-c The Pharmaceutical Journal: https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/news/more-than-half-of-patients-using-needle-exchange-pilot-tested-positive-for-hepatitis-c/20204857.article Drink and Drug News: https://drinkanddrugsnews.com/more-than-half-test-positive-in-community-hep-c-pilot/

Minister commends LJWG ‘innovative’ pharmacy testing pilot in debate on eliminating hepatitis C

June 12, 2018

Steve Brine MP said: As hon. Members know, I have a great soft spot for community pharmacies, and I think that they can and do play an important role in this space. In April, I hopped along to Portmans Pharmacy, which is just up the road in Pimlico, to see the pharmacy testing pilot of...

New report shows successful hepatitis C testing pilot in pharmacies in London

May 16, 2018

Public Health Minister Steve Brine MP gives support to pioneering project offering hepatitis C testing in pharmacies that offer needle exchange. Pilot offered tests to those at risk of exposure; half of those tested (53%) had hepatitis C antibodies and 78% of those who engaged with specialist services had hepatitis C viral particles detectable in...

Pharmacy hepatitis C testing pilot – results due in May

April 23, 2018

https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/news/hepatitis-c-pilot-london-pharmacy-test

LJWG calls on London Mayor to include action on hepatitis as part of his Health Inequalities Strategy

April 20, 2018

Hepatitis C is a serious health inequalities and public health issue in London. There are an estimated 41,500 people living with hepatitis C in London, many of whom are some of the most vulnerable and the most socially excluded people in our society. Over half of people who attend hospital for hepatitis C are from...