Thousands of patients across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland have been tested for the hepatitis C virus as part of a major NHS project.
The Leicester Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Delivery Network based at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) have played a key role in helping the NHS reach a major milestone, with more than 100,000 people across England having now ordered home test kits for hepatitis C.
Since the launch of the home testing portal in May 2023, around 3,000 orders have been made through the Leicester HCV Delivery Network.
James Spear, Hepatitis C Network Management Lead at UHL, said: “We’re seeing the real impact of home testing here in Leicester. It ’s helping us reach people who might not otherwise come forward, and it’s allowing us to treat cases before they become serious, underlying the importance of addressing health inequalities.
“This is about making testing accessible and stigma-free. Whether it’s through home kits, emergency departments, or community outreach, we’re committed to finding and treating every hidden case.”
Analysis of the national testing data showed that 70% of all positive cases came from the most deprived half of the population. The virus, which can cause serious liver damage if left untreated, is curable in over 90% of cases with a short course of antiviral tablets. Many people live symptom-free for years, making early detection through home testing vital.
Klavs Voldins, 38, from Leicester, ordered a self-testing kit from the NHS website last summer after searching online for the easiest ways to test for hepatitis C.
He said: “I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to get an appointment, so when I saw that I could get a test at home, it felt like the best option. It was very easy to do and everything is shown and clearly explained in the instructions.”
After sending back his sample, Klavs was contacted by the liver team at UHL and told he had tested positive for hepatitis C. He was prescribed direct-acting antivirals, which typically clear the virus after 8 to 12 weeks. Three months after completing treatment, he tested again and received the all-clear.
He added: “They called me into the liver clinic and confirmed the test result. Once it was confirmed, they gave me a prescription for treatment. The treatment was fine, I didn’t have much in terms of side effects, and the nurses and staff at the hospital were brilliant.
“I didn’t have any symptoms of infection, but it feels great knowing I don’t have hepatitis C now. To anyone thinking of testing for hepatitis C, I’d suggest to just do it, because you never know. It’s so easy to test at home and you don’t have to take time off work or anything to do it, so it really has been great.”
Anyone who thinks they may need a test can order one via the NHS Hepatitis C test website.