HNY Policy and Pathway Repository - Humber

Hepatitis C is a virus which can infect the liver.  The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is usually spread through blood to blood  contact.

This outpatient pathway should be accessed by any GP practice or other relevant organisation, such as prisons, substance misuse, etc that has a patient with untreated active Hepatitis C (HCV). The pathway starts with an assessment and appointments with the CNS prior to agreement of treatment plans / MDT discussions with consultants. The current pathway has been in place for over a year now and has sign off by NHS England who commission the service.

Active HCV infection should be confirmed prior to referral of HCV Ab+. If the PCR is negative, HCV Ab+ can be considered indicative of previous exposure only with no ongoing infection, and therefore referral is not required.

Testing should be carried out via antibody and PCR blood tests.   Active HCV infection should be confirmed prior to referral of HCV Ab+ patients into secondary care. This can be done by checking a qualitative or quantitative HCV PCR. If the PCR is negative, HCV Ab+ can be considered indicative of previous exposure only with no ongoing infection.  All patients with untreated Hepatitis C should be referred into the secondary care service to access treatments.

Any patient with untreated Hepatitis C with a positive PCR result  and Ab+ should be referred into the service.

Referrals

Referrals into the Hepatitis C service at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals Trust (HEYHT) should be made via NHS e-Referrals.  The service is listed as 'Service of Gastroenterology Hepatitis'  and is offered by Gastroenterology.  The Hep C Service can be found under the specialty GI & Liver and the clinic type Hepatology

Waiting times for first outpatient appointment are currently between 6-8 weeks.

Information to include

Include patient demographics, Ab+ and PCR results.

HCV Outpatient Pathway

HCV Admission Pathway