An audit of hepatitis C service provision in a representative sample of prisons in England.
BACKGROUND
Prisons are an important setting to address prevention, testing and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and other blood-borne viruses. This audit examined current practice against national standards in a representative sample of prisons in England.


METHODS
The audit tool was developed based on best practice guidelines and piloted in one prison. In December 2012, the audit was conducted in a further 20 prisons, which were chosen to represent different types, sizes and geographical spread across England.


RESULTS
Testing for HCV was offered in the majority of prisons audited (20 of 21), but only two-thirds had a written policy on testing and treatment; less than a third had a steering group to oversee the process. The nature of services varied greatly. There were inconsistencies across data sources on testing.


CONCLUSIONS
This audit found that while there were many areas of good practice, the quality and content of hepatitis C service provision varied. It highlighted the need to provide appropriate guidance for prisons in delivering a high-quality service, ensuring that relevant training is available for different staff and that adequate psychosocial support is provided to patients.
West Yorkshire Health Protection Team, Public Health England, Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UE, UK.
Clare
C
Humphreys
Health and Justice Team, Public Health England, Block 2, FERA, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK.
Cathie
C
Railton
Health and Justice Team, Public Health England, Wellington House, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG, UK.
Éamonn
É
O'Moore
Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool L7 8XP, UK.
Martin
M
Lombard
Health and Justice Team, Public Health England, Block 2, FERA, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK.
Autilia
A
Newton
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019985:Benchmarking; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008330:Management Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
communicable disease; prisons; public health