Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 15 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 October 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 October 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to introduce screening for hepatitis C. - Inc ref to Hepatitis Strategy for England consultation paper (Dep 02/1823). (Holding answer 21 October 2002).

Answer: Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce screening for hepatitis C. [75495] Ms Blears: [holding answer on 21 October 2002]: Our consultation paper, Hepatitis C Strategy for England, which was published on 14 August 2002, proposes that individuals at increased risk of infection or with otherwise unexplained liver disease should be offered testing for hepatitis C. The United Kingdom national screening committee has not recommended the introduction of antenatal screening for hepatitis C in the absence of a proven safe and effective intervention to prevent infant infection and limited evidence about the natural history and treatment of children infected with hepatitis C. This advice is in line with United States and European consensus statements. However, antenatal settings might provide an opportunity to offer hepatitis C testing to women at increased risk of infection.

Secondary information