The practice in Tower Hamlets is involved in the six-month pilot project as part of the NHS England Hepatitis C Elimination Programme, led by Transformation Partners in Health and Care (TPHC).
Dr Chris Streather, NHSE London Regional Medical Director, and Professor Ashley Brown, National Clinical Lead for Hepatitis C Elimination, visited the practice on July 31, 2024 to meet the team and discuss the programme.
The pilot at Health E1 emphasises a holistic and trauma-informed approach, integrating care to address the diverse needs of patients. The clinic, which operates twice a month, offers bloodborne virus testing, harm minimisation interventions, wound care, and liver health screening.
It is a lived experience-led initiative, supported by local HIV and Hepatitis teams, service partners, and healthcare champions.
"It was a pleasure meeting with Dr Chris Streather and Professor Ashley Brown. Our discussion on enhancing hepatitis C and B testing in primary care was both insightful and inspiring," said Mohammed Almahfuz, Practice Manager at Health E1.
"Together, we can drive significant improvements in early detection and treatment, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for our communities."
This visit underscores the commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for vulnerable populations. Continued progress and emerging partnerships from these efforts are anticipated.
For more information on the pilot project and the broader Hepatitis C Elimination Programme, please refer to the resources available through TPHC.