Ms Nicola Perry:

We do not need to change our model because we have some excellent practices. Dr. O'Carroll, who spoke earlier, is involved in several initiatives. We have outreach models, a pathway of care, as I said, and an accessible treatment. What we do not have is everybody who may be impacted included. We do not have a general understanding of this disease among the population. Usually, it is people who are individually affected who understand what this disease is. Even when people do understand it, they often do not know there is a cure. When we think that a cure has been available for some time, this situation is concerning.

What we have, and what the research showed us, is the commitment, passion and drive of professionals working in the hepatitis field. Those are mainly in hospital settings but also in outreach endeavours. They know what to do in respect of how to work this out once we identify the people affected through implementing our national screening guidelines. We have an excellent document drawn up in 2017 on the means of implementation. It is like a handbook for everyone out there regarding how we can work with, or not work with, who we screen. It is a matter of finding out where those people are and letting them know. I remember in Germany a few years back there was an amazing campaign undertaken on public transport in this regard. It consisted, basically, of a poster with three questions on it. It was along the lines of "Have you done this, this and this?". If people had done those three things, then it was recommended that they go to the equivalent in Germany of their GP or medical health centre and ask for a test. I refer to that kind of initiative.

Our clinical approach and clinical responses, particularly in certain locations, are excellent. It would be impossible to take away from them or from the hard work being done on this disease. Is it something that is always at the forefront of minds? No, it is not. Does everyone who needs to know this disease may be a risk for them know that it is? No, they do not. We can take lessons from models abroad. Australia and Canada have done fantastic work. Again, populations may be different but the scenarios are similar.

We have, however, what we need here. Regarding what the Deputy mentioned earlier, we have the budget and the resources. The problem we have may be some blocks. If I am being really honest, some people may also just wonder why people cannot just take a treatment that is available and being provided and paid for. As was mentioned and emphasised, the key is information. This is about addressing a situation where people will not go and get a treatment if they do not know they have the disease or they do not know there is a cure for it. There are nuances around hepatitis C, because of its core group, that are not relevant in other medical domains. It is important that we do not ignore these aspects and that we ensure there is a context to how we respond and that this perspective is considered.