Hepatitis C treatment

The Viral Hepatitis team at St George’s, led by Dr Daniel Forton, is working towards eliminating hepatitis C by 2025.

Since the elimination campaign started in 2016, the team has treated and cured more than 1,000 people.

Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus; Public Health England estimate that 6,450 people in south London may have the virus of which many people are unaware. It is known as a silent disease as there are generally no or minimal symptoms. Click here to see a list of the common symptoms.

If left untreated it can cause cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. Hepatitis C can now be successfully treated with just a few weeks of oral medication.

The team delivers the majority of its clinics in the community setting, working collaboratively with drug recovery services, HMP Wandsworth, and community pharmacies. The team also continues to raise hepatitis C awareness to GPs and local communities in south west London.

Getting tested for Hepatitis C

If you think you are at risk of hepatitis C and would like to be tested, please make an appointment with your GP.

The causes of Hepatits C are outlined in this guidance from NHS England.

Alternatively, you can also be tested in the following community pharmacies:

• Pearl Chemist, 159 Mitcham Road, SW17 9PG
• Lords Pharmacy, 98 Tooting High Street, SW17 ORR
• Earlsfield Pharmacy, 595 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, SW18 4SU
• Pearl Chemist, 11 The Broadway, Tolworth, Surbiton KT6 7DJ
• Barkers Chemist, 49 Falcon Rd, London SW11 2PH
• Barkers Chemist, 245 Garratt Ln, Southfields, London SW18 4DU