Written question WQ98189
- Asked by
- Mark IsherwoodConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 5 days
Question
What plans does the Cabinet Secretary have to increase hepatitis C testing rates to achieve the World Health Organisation’s elimination goal, following the written statement on eliminating hepatitis B and C in Wales on 7 August 2025?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
I set out the Welsh Government’s progress towards eliminating hepatitis B and C in Wales by 2030 in an annual written statement.
Overall testing rates for hepatitis B and C are at record levels with significant improvements in testing within the prison estate in Wales. Health boards are continuing their efforts to increase the amount of testing that takes place, particularly in drug services and other locations such as community pharmacies. They must continue to focus on maintaining effective drug treatment services and needle and syringe exchange provision to prevent new infections and reinfections, expanding outreach services across Wales and providing rapid access to treatment.
Testing availability has been expanded through a free and confidential home testing service, which allows people to order a kit, test themselves and receive their results via text.
About 27,000 kits have been distributed so far via 400 services across Wales.