IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HEPATITIS C ACTION PLAN

That this House notes that hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that is estimated to affect between 200,000 and 500,000 people in England and Wales; further notes that only a tiny fraction of these people have been diagnosed and are receiving treatment; recognises that without treatment hepatitis C can lead to serious health complications, including cirrhosis of the liver, which can require a transplant; is deeply concerned by the findings of a recent audit conducted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hepatology which found that only 8 per cent. of primary care trusts are effectively implementing the Department of Health's Hepatitis C Action Plan; and calls on the Government to take urgent action to address this, including publishing timetables for implementation and measures against which primary care trusts can be held to account for their performance in improving hepatitis C services.