For the first time in the UK, hepatitis C has been eliminated amongst a prison population. The feat was achieved by the Her Majesty's Prisons (HMP) Swansea in Wales, which has a substantial turnover of individuals.
All male prisoners in the remand prison have been tested for hepatitis C and were found to be either negative or already receiving treatment, as of September 5, 2019.
The accomplishment is attributable to the rapid testing and treatment system piloted in HMP Swansea. The system enables successful initiation of hepatitis C treatment in prisoners within a day or so of their entry in the prison. Under the previous system, the prisoners had to wait several weeks until the test results and treatment could be organised. Therefore, they were often released prior to commencement of treatment, resulting in negative implications on their health and well-being.
The achievement is a collaborative effort of HMP Swansea, Swansea Bay University Health Board and Public Health Wales Cardiff. Louise Davies, Specialist Biomedical Scientist and the National Virology Point of Care Testing Lead, said: "It would be good to see this new and improved pathway implemented as a routine service in HMP Swansea and similar pathways rolled out in other prison estates and settings across Wales."
