This report from the Scottish Drugs Forum assesses the learning needs of the Sexual Health and BBV sector across Scotland, based on an online survey that was completed by 270 frontline workers across the NHS, third sector and local authorities. Its aim was to give an overall perspective and understanding of the training needs and knowledge gaps of workers in relation to sexual health and blood borne viruses.
Good practice case study: Lancashire & South Cumbria mobile hepatitis C pathway
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Amid service closures and disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Lancashire & South Cumbria ODN, CGL and The Hepatitis C Trust developed and delivered a clinical van-based hepatitis C care pathway. The project involved clinical vans attending hostels and hotels accommodating the homeless population during the pandemic and making appointments for the van to be taken to individual patients at locations convenient to them. A ‘whole system’ approach was adopted, meaning those accessing the clinical van could access testing, liver health assessments, treatment initiation, medication delivery and confirmation of treatment completion (SVR12). A hepatitis C care appointment attendance rate of less than 40% in CGL services pre-pandemic was increased to a 79% attendance rate for appointments with the clinical van. The outreach increased engagement with treatment among a group traditionally less likely to access services.
