8659 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

8659 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the last quarter (October – December 2023) 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 Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that during the October – December 2023 quarter, regionally led Hepatitis C services continued to deliver nurse-led clinics and point-of-care testing in a wide range of priority settings and outreach services. This included promoting peer-led point-of-care testing in needle exchange services and working with contracted Māori health providers to raise Hepatitis C awareness, education and testing. Hepatitis C point-of-care testing also continues to be offered in pharmacies.