The Cocoon project, set up in Tayside, Scotland seeks to address the high rate of drug-related deaths in the area.
The project delivers point-of-care diagnosis of HCV in needle exchange sites, while also integrating services which typically require travel to alternate NHS sites to reduce the burden of multiple visits and different providers. The result is a ‘one-stop’ holistic care bundle which seeks to address the inequity of access experienced by PWUD by increasing their engagement through services tailored to their specific needs.
Face It: Hepatitis C Best Practice - Developing a local hepatitis C strategy

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Dr Erika Duffell, Consultant in Health Protection at Greater Manchester Health Protection Unit (HPU) led a project on behalf of the local Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to improve services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C in Greater Manchester. A steering group produced a comprehensive needs assessment and evidence-based strategy, which convinced PCT commissioners to invest in services. So far, the programme has led to the development of outreach clinics in local drug services, the recruitment of extra medical and nursing staff to treat
patients, new testing methods for drug users and the formation of a local prevention network and research team to improve prevention services. This document provides a description of the project.