§ Lorna FitzsimonsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the percentage of the prison population with hepatitis C; and what(a) preventive measures are taken against and (b) treatment is available for hepatitis C in the Prison Service. [90425]
§ Mr. George HowarthA voluntary, anonymous survey of HIV and hepatitis and risk behaviour was conducted in 1997–98 by the Public Health Laboratory Service at eight prisons. The survey found prevalence of hepatitis C to be 7.4 per cent. of the prison population overall.
The Prison Service has a strategy for preventing the spread of communicable diseases which covers training, education, prevention, risk reduction and harm minimisation. A pilot project on the provision of disinfecting tablets to reduce the risk of spreading hepatitis C through prisoners sharing injecting equipment has recently been completed. The Prison Service hopes to be able to extend this initiative across the remainder of the prison estate during the coming year. Advice and guidance is sent to prison governors and doctors on an ad hoc basis and covers the management of blood-borne viruses including hepatitis C. Every prison is expected to have a communicable diseases management team to deal strategically with the management, medical and social challenges involved.
The treatment available for prisoners with hepatitis C follows that provided to members of the general public by the NHS with decisions about initiating further investigations and treatment taken only by specialists.