Exeter Prisoners offered virus tests

Aim to eliminate Hepatitis C

Inmates at Exeter Prison are being offered hepatitis C testing, as part of a programme to eliminate the virus in Europe by 2025.

They're being asked to take an HCV High Intensive Test and Treat (HITT) intervention to tackle the life-limiting disease that many people live with for a long time without knowing. Early symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, such as depression, feeling tired all the time, skin problems, insomnia, pain and digestive problems.

Left untreated, some people go on to develop cirrhosis and, in severe cases, liver failure or liver cancer.

Hepatitis C is most often contracted through the sharing of drug paraphernalia, including syringes used by people taking illegal drugs. At the most challenging stages of a patient’s addiction, they will rarely engage with healthcare services and therefore have little opportunity of being diagnosed. Consequently, engagement and treatment in the community is very difficult.

Dr Iain Brew, deputy national medical director for PPG’s Health in Justice division, said: “The UK has approximately 84,000 prisoners. HCV affects as many as one in 20 in male prisons according to Public Health England data, and an even higher proportion in female prisons. While also eliminating the virus, this programme seeks to set best practice and pathways for the benefit of prisoners everywhere."