National HCV paediatric Multi Disciplinary Team Operational Delivery Network

On April 1^st 2021 NHS England established a new national Multidisciplinary Operational Delivery Network (ODN) to fund treatment for children and young people, aged three – 18 years of age, with Hepatitis C (HCV) in England.

First referred from their local paediatrician.  A date to discuss and approve treatment will be confirmed by the Project Co-ordinator.  All referrers are invited to join the virtual meeting.  The patient is then discussed at the virtual National Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) meeting with opportunities for the referring clinician to ask questions and then the antiviral treatment is provided through the Blueteq scheme through their local hospital

The child or young person is treated with direct acting anti-viral treatment, either as tablets or granules with follow-up blood tests performed at their local hospital. If the patient is negative at 12 weeks post end of treatment it means the child or young person has been cured of hepatitis.

This unique ODN is the first in the world to provide a virtual national treatment pathway for children and young people with HCV to provide high quality treatment and equity of access in England, ensuring that they receive care close to home at their local centre.

The aim of Specialised Hepatitis C Operational Delivery Networks is to maximise appropriate uptake and completion of HCV treatment and to cure more people of infection. This will improve quality of life, prevent premature death in line with the NHS Outcomes Framework 2014-15 and reduce the risk of onward transmission.

Further information:

The NHS has already cured more than 50,000 adults from the virus since 2015, with a further 80,000 receiving treatment over the next five years, as the health service aims to beat the World Health Organization target of eliminating the disease by 2030.

For more details please read the following press release from NHS England.