scotPHO introduction:
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  Chronic Liver Disease
  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
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  Introduction
  Risk factors
Policy context
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  Key references and evidence
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Hepatitis C: policy context

In 2000, the Scottish Needs Assessment Programme (SNAP) published a report on hepatitis CPDF Button(2.85MB) that reviewed existing services and made recommendations on how prevention, diagnosis and treatment could be improved.

In 2005, the Scottish Executive released for consultation the Hepatitis C proposed action plan in ScotlandPDF Button(303Kb), which was designed to promote further implementation of the SNAP recommendations and the key messages in the that emerged from a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh conference in April 2004.

Following an extensive consultation in 2005, the Scottish Government launched the Scotland Action Plan for Hepatitis C PDF Button(403Kb) in September 2006; its aims are:

  * To prevent the spread of Hepatitis C, particularly among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs)
  *To diagnose Hepatitis C infected persons, particularly those who would most benefit from treatment
  *To ensure that those infected receive optimal treatment, care and support

Taking a two-phased approach, Phase 1 (undertaken during September 2006 to March 2008), comprised 41 actions spread across the areas of co-ordination, prevention, testing/treatment/care and support and education/training/awareness-raising, and involved increasing awareness about Hepatitis C among professionals and undertaking extensive research and consultation to inform proposals for the development of Hepatitis C services during Phase II.  All but one of the 41 Phase I actions have been delivered; the outstanding action – the piloting of an in-prison needle and syringe exchange scheme – has been rescheduled to be implemented during Phase II.

Phase II, launched in May 2008, saw serious commitment from the Scottish Government, to tackle the Hepatitis C challenge facing Scotland, with an investment of approximately £43 million (the bulk of which is being allocated to NHS boards), over the three years of the Plan, to deliver 34 actions designed to dramatically improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and support services for Hepatitis C throughout the country.