§ Dr. NaysmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how the national strategy on hepatitis C will be implemented; what funding will be available; and what timetables are proposed. [80809]
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§ Ms BlearsThe hepatitis C Strategy for England will form the basis of an action plan as proposed in the Chief Medical Officer's infectious diseases strategy, Getting Ahead of the Curve. This action plan will be drawn up by the end of 2002, following the consultation exercise. It will serve as a clear framework setting out actions that need to be taken by Government, the national health service and others to secure improvements in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C.
A number of funding streams will support the strategy. A major component has been included in health authority allocations to support the National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommended combination drug treatments for moderate/severe liver disease caused by hepatitis C. Other funding streams are:
Central funding of £1.3 million over two years, 2002–03 and 2003–04, has been allocated for raising professional and public awareness and improving surveillance. Funding for future years has yet to be decided.Funding for the voluntary sector specifically for hepatitis C projects and for projects which are directed at prevention activities for injecting drug users in general has been increased and currently stands at around £0.2 million for 2002–03.HIV prevention funding includes health promotion for injecting drug users. From 2002–03, HIV prevention is funded through main national health service allocations and £55 million has been included for the coming year. From the returns collected under the AIDS (Control) Act, approximately 14 per cent. in 1999–2000 of the separate allocation before mainstreaming was spent on prevention work on injecting drug use.The Department also has a central budget for drug misuse for the National Treatment Agency of £175.7 million for 2002–03.