The HepCare Europe project focuses on providing an ‘integrated care’ model for HCV treatment based on the joint participation of primary and speciality care practitioners to allow for more efficient use of limited specialist resources. The project:

• Identifies those not accessing care, by using rapid HCV testing.

• Provides peer support (using community-based organisations) to assist those identified with HCV to access care.

• Develops nurse liaison links so that the secondary caregivers go to the patient, rather than the patients going to the secondary caregivers.

Patients are tested in the community and have their HCV evaluated in the community by means of a novel fibroscan test, which has replaced liver biopsy, to assess the degree of hepatic impairment caused by HCV, and community based treatments are piloted. Other supports to patients include interventions to help reduce or cease alcohol consumption, which is a significant problem among these vulnerable individuals.

In addition to outreach, the project involves education of caregivers and patient groups about HCV and the new curative treatments available.  The team at University of Bristol are leading the economic evaluation of the interventions planned as part of HepCare Europe.

Project duration: June 2016 - July 2019

For more information, please visit Hepcare Europe