TESTING points for Hepatitis C are being launched in Southampton from 12 June to help identify people with the virus.

With an aim to prevent liver scarring, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Solent NHS Trust and the University of Southampton are working with Southampton City Council to set up the approach, with testing points at various pharmacies in the city.

A blood spot test will identify the virus and alert a specialist doctor at Southampton, who will offer advice and links to treatment.

The virus is treatable with a two to three-month medication course.

NHS England has set a target to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2025, so Dr Ryan Buchanan and Dr Charlotte Cook have been training pharmacists to carry out the blood spot test in Southampton following a successful research trial in the Isle of Wight.

Dr Buchanan said: “Having the test in a pharmacy is more accessible than booking an appointment with a GP or going to a hospital and the treatment of Hepatitis C is now much easier to take as it can be given as just one pill a day for a few months.

“It is now within our reach to eliminate the virus from the City of Southampton.”

Cllr Dave Shields, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Southampton City Council, said: “Unfortunately, many people have the virus and just don’t know until it’s too late yet testing, and treatment are easy – just a finger prick blood test and tablets.

“We are excited to support the Southampton clinical and research teams in their work to eliminate Hepatitis C.”

You are at risk of getting Hepatitis C if you have injected drugs, had dental or medical treatment in a high-risk country, had a tattoo or piercing with non-sterilised equipment, received an infected blood transfusion or had sexual contact with an infected person.

The start of the campaign will be marked at the Mayor’s Parlour at the Civic Centre in Southampton on 12 June.