New treatment from NHS staff is having a ‘life-changing’ impact on homeless people in North East Wales living with the hepatitis C virus.

Those who have benefitted from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s pioneering new treatment programme say it’s helped them regain access to their children, hug family members again, and re-enter the world of work.

Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus which left untreated can cause liver cirrhosis and cancer. However, advancements in medicine have ensured that it can be successfully treated with an 8 to 12-week course of tablets.

The virus disproportionately affects the homeless community. Because they often struggle to access and engage with treatment, those who contract hepatitis C can be at risk of long-term complications, including liver cancer.

Determined to change this, staff from BCUHB’s Pharmacy, Point of Care, Substance Misuse Harm Reduction and Hepatology services have introduced a pioneering new approach to treatment, which is the first of its kind in Wales.

By taking their services to homeless people, the team have reduced the time it takes to diagnose and begin treatment from over six months, to just two weeks.

Those supported include Catrin*, who said: “I can finally hug my family; I have avoided any physical contact with people because I felt dirty. The easy access to services made the world of difference to me.”

Seb* said the treatment had changed his life: “For the first time in over five years, I am now able to see my children again. My partner considered me dirty and would not allow me access. This treatment has changed my life.”

*Real names have been changed to protect their identity.

Graham Boyle, Senior Nurse Specialist with BCUHB’s Substance Misuse Harm Reduction Team, said: “Hepatitis C is transmitted through direct contact with infected blood and not through every day interaction with other people. However, because of the stigma associated with the virus, some of those infected have found themselves estranged from friends and loved ones.

“This project has had a life-changing impact on the service users we support. It’s reduced stigma, reunited families, led to further engagement with healthcare professionals, as well as reducing the transmission of hepatitis c and the progression of liver diseases, including cancer.

“We’re very proud of the work undertaken to date and our focus now is ensuring we can roll this support out more widely across North Wales.”