News
Hepatitis C testing in Nottingham marks World Hepatitis
Awareness Day
1 October 2007
For the first time in the UK today, members of the public will be
able to drop in and get a test for hepatitis C in a local branch of
Boots.
The project, a unique collaboration between Nottingham University
Hospitals NHS Trust, Boots and national patient charity the Hepatitis C
Trust, was instigated by the late Dame Anita Roddick, who campaigned to
raise awareness of hepatitis C.
Members of the public can drop in for a free, confidential hepatitis
C test undertaken by nurses from the Queens Medical Centre at the
pharmacy of Boots in Nottingham’s Victoria Centre between 9am and 5pm on
Monday 1 October, where they are also able to get questions
answered by nurses and take home information about hepatitis C.
Coinciding with World Hepatitis Awareness Day, the event is supported
by an exhibition of giant portraits of people with hepatitis C being
staged at the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre in Nottingham City Centre.
One of the three-metre high portraits is of Nick Green, a resident of
Nottingham, who has been successfully cleared of the virus and is now
campaigning to get more people who may be at risk of hepatitis C to get
a test.
Launching the exhibition, Nick Green said, "Hepatitis C can be
spread in a number of ways and can affect people from all walks of life.
I want to use my experience to help reduce the stigma surrounding
hepatitis C and heighten people’s understanding of the virus.”
Charles Gore, Chief Executive of the Hepatitis C Trust, said
“Dame Anita Roddick instigated this project. She herself had hepatitis C
but it was undiagnosed for more than 30 years so she was passionate
about encouraging anyone at risk to get tested. She was also of course a
great pioneer in retail and a firm believer in the idea that business
could and should be a force for good. We are really pleased that her
wish to make hepatitis C testing available on the high street is being
put into action here in Nottingham to mark World Hepatitis Awareness Day
on the 1st of October, and that it is happening through exactly the sort
of partnership working that she was so keen to foster.”
Dr Steve Ryder from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said "The majority of people with hepatitis C are unaware that they have
it. This event provides another way for people to get a test
besides going to their GP, as well as hopefully raising public awareness
so more people understand the transmission routes that exist. I
hope we get people coming along to Boots on Monday to talk to the nurses
who will be there for the day to answer questions and carry out a test
if one is needed."
Simon Potts, Boots Healthcare Commercial Director, said, “We are
delighted to play a part in raising awareness of this silent disease as
part of a collaboration with the Hepatitis C Trust and the NHS. As
Boots is located on the High Street, we are able to help the local NHS
provide people with the opportunity of confidential and convenient
testing in a familiar environment.”
To find out more about hepatitis C, or to get support, call the
Hepatitis C Trust helpline (0845 223 4424), Monday-Friday, 12-6pm
(Thursdays till 7pm), or log on to
www.hepctrust.org.uk
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