NDM8064 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Acknowledges that Wales has made good progress towards eliminating the hepatitis C virus (HCV) by establishing a highly effective national clinical network, as well as having equitable and transparent access to treatment right across the country.

2. Notes the ground-breaking successes in several areas, including achieving the elimination of HCV in the prison population of HMP Swansea (the first remand prison in the UK), as well as successfully transplanting and treating the organs from infected donors with HCV to new recipients - another UK first.

3. Recognises that whilst the Welsh Government is still committed to its strategic elimination goal, increased political prioritisation and resources are required to close the testing and treatment gap that has emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the 2030 target date is not exceeded.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) mandate the re-establishment of frontline blood borne virus and harm reduction services in all health board areas, so that the identification, testing, linkage to care and treatment of HCV patients in Wales can resume;

b) develop a national strategic plan to deliver HCV elimination by 2030 at the latest, which is sustainably resourced, patient centric and focuses on the whole pathway;

c) ensure that health boards are funded and accountable for delivering the national strategic plan, in terms of service delivery, data monitoring and reporting performance.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete point 4 and replace with:

Notes:

a) the Welsh Government’s expectation that frontline blood borne viruses and harm reduction services, including for hepatitis C, will be re-established in all health board areas as soon as possible;

b) that the Welsh Government is working closely with the NHS in Wales to support their planning to ensure that Wales is able to meet the World Health Organisation target of eliminating hepatitis C by 2030;

c) that established systems are in place to ensure that health boards are supported and held accountable for meeting the target in terms of service delivery, data monitoring and reporting performance.