4202 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

4202 (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 ‘Develop an approach for targeted testing of the New Zealand adult population at high risk of hepatitis C infection, to increase access to testing, diagnosis and treatment’ under ‘Focus area 3: Testing and screening’ in the National Hepatitis C Action Plan?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that during the July to September 2024 quarter, regional hepatitis C services continued to deliver nurse-led clinics and point-of-care testing in a wide range of community-based settings and through outreach services. This included promoting peer-led, point-of-care testing in needle exchange services and probation services, and working with contracted Hauora Māori providers to raise hepatitis C awareness, education, and testing. I am further advised that during the quarter, point-of-care testing continued to be offered in some pharmacies.