44464 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

44464 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter (January to March 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 regional hepatitis C services continued to deliver nurse-led clinics and point-of-care testing in a wide range of priority settings and outreach services. I am further advised that 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. In addition, hepatitis C point-of-care testing continues to be offered in pharmacies.