Theme: Models of Care Year: 2022
Background:
People who inject drugs (PWID) living in remote settings across the UK commonly experience levels
of isolation with increased difficulty accessing hepatitis C (HCV) testing and treatment. Many
individuals may be engaged with substance misuse services (SMS) while experiencing difficulties in
navigating pathways and overcoming barriers to accessing secondary care resulting in missed
opportunities for HCV treatment.
Objective:
To determine if the introduction of peer support, working collaboratively with clinicians and SMS
providers by providing peer-led pro-active engagement, support and education can promote
treatment uptake and reduce testing to treatment pathway times to 4 weeks or less.
Description of intervention:
A Peer Support Lead supported by peers with lived experience of HCV, working in partnership with a
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and SMS practitioners coordinated a two-week intensive HCV PCR
testing programme targeting service users at a small rural town SMS. An information sharing
agreement between services was established, facilitating timelier liaison and responsive peer
support. Testing was coordinated alongside routine appointments to ensure delivery to all PWID
with the service. All those identified as HCV +ve were supported by peers to access treatment,
delivered within the SMS community.
Effectiveness:
The model was welcomed by service users who valued reassurance and guidance in getting tested
and treated. Of the 18 patients referred, to date 15 have started treatment.
Results from the 121 service-users who were identified as at risk are summarized below. Additionally, SMS Recovery Coordinators demonstrated increased confidence in promoting HCV testing and treatment.
Conclusion and next steps:
Objectives were met – in shortening the test to treatment pathway and 83% of service-users
identified as HCV + commencing treatment. The successful peer led multi-agency approach has
proved replicable and is now being expanded across other locations. The project also has proven
effective in promoting a visible message of simplicity and ease of HCV treatment to service-users.
Disclosure of Interest Statement:
The Hepatitis C Trust has received funding via the NHS England elimination agenda through Merck
Sharp & Dohme to fund the role of Peer Support Lead.