More than 100,000 people in England have ordered an at-home hepatitis C test through the NHS confidential home testing service since its launch in May 2023.
NHS England data shows that of the 105,998 people who have used the service, around 225 were saved from the virus after testing positive and going on to receive NHS treatment.
About 130 people returned insufficient RNA results and were referred for further testing through NHS Operational Delivery Networks, with some likely to have subsequently tested positive.
Hepatitis C can remain symptomless for years but, if untreated, may lead to liver failure and cancer. Yet, it can be cured in more than nine out of ten cases with a short course of antiviral tablets.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, said the milestone showed the ‘NHS is firmly on track’ to meet the World Health Organization’s target of eliminating hepatitis C by 2030. She added that the service was also helping to reduce health inequalities.
Analysis of the testing data reveals that 70% of all positive cases have come from the most deprived half of the population. Positivity rates are highest among 40–44 and 45–49 year-olds (both 0.81%), followed by those aged 35–39 (0.6%).
The most common risk factors among positive cases include injecting drug use, sharing needles and other drug paraphernalia, and a history of prison.
‘The home testing service is available to everyone, and through targeted outreach to people at higher risk we are helping thousands avoid serious illness and reducing health inequalities in the process,’ said Prof Pandit.
The home testing portal is available in both English and Urdu to support accessibility for people who may have been exposed to hepatitis C in countries such as Pakistan and India, where people can come into contact with infected blood through medical procedures, blood transfusions and blood products, or equipment used in cosmetic services.
The self-testing kit involves a simple finger prick, with a small blood sample collected in a test tube and posted to a laboratory for analysis. Those who test positive are contacted directly and referred for treatment.
Rachel Halford, CEO of The Hepatitis C Trust said: ‘This option of home testing allows people with any concerns to get a free, confidential test without the need to attend a clinic. For many hesitant to access health services, this can act as a lifeline.’
