4196 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

4196 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter July to September 2024 toward the objective ‘Improve access to and uptake of hepatitis C testing and treatment services in prisons’ under ‘Focus area 5: Integration and access to care’ in the National Hepatitis C Action Plan?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that during the July to September 2024 quarter, the Hepatitis C Support and Treatment Service in Northern Region continued to support vulnerable and complex patients, including those in Corrections facilities who often need intensive support to stay on required treatment. I am further advised that during the quarter, Te Manawa Taki Region continued to offer regular clinics at Probation Services centres using the mobile hepatitis C van in collaboration with an HIV nurse who also offered HIV and syphilis testing. In addition, in Te Wai Pounamu, the Hepatitis C Community Clinic initiated a testing outreach event with Community Corrections Christchurch, while Central Region provided screening and risk-factor education to Corrections staff at national office to raise awareness about hepatitis C.