HEPATITIS C

That this House notes that hepatitis C is a major cause of the rising number of avoidable premature deaths from liver disease; further notes that hepatitis C predominantly affects the most disadvantaged in society and remains a pressing public health concern; acknowledges the availability of highly-effective new treatments that can cure the disease in almost everyone; recognises that the complexity of community pathways for hepatitis C results in local bodies requiring guidance on responsibilities and actions to treat the virus; understands that a hepatitis C improvement framework has been expected for over 12 months; and calls on the Government, NHS England and Public Health England to work towards eliminating hepatitis C as a major public health concern by publishing a national improvement framework as a matter of urgency.