Landmark buildings in West Country lit up in support of World Hepatitis Day

To raise awareness of the importance of testing, buildings across the West Country were lit up to mark World Hepatitis Day on Monday (28 July 2025).

These include City Hall in Bristol, The Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare, Gloucester Quays and Forest Green Rovers Football Club in Stroud.

The Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare will continue to be lit up in purple until Sunday 3 August 2025.

The national hepatitis C elimination programme in England started in 2015 and has significantly improved testing and treatment of the virus, with the aim to eliminate it completely, by the World Health Organisation (WHO) target of 2030. Since implementing the elimination programme, 78 per cent of people who tested positive for the virus have received treatment. 

In Bristol and Weston, more than 50,000 extra tests for hepatitis have been carried out in Emergency Departments (EDs) at Bristol Royal Infirmary, Weston General Hospital and Southmead Hospital since October 2024.

All adults who have their blood tested in one of the three EDs have their samples sent for hepatitis B and C testing, as well as HIV, unless they opt out.

Known as blood-borne virus (BBV) testing, the pilot has identified more than 120 people with one or more of these viruses, many of whom had no obvious risk factors for hepatitis.

One patient, who is in their 70s and did not wish to be named, said: “I think the introduction of these blood tests at emergency departments is invaluable. I for one would never have known that I had hepatitis C. I very much hope this work can be continued.” 

Dr Fiona Gordon, Consultant for Hepatology at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) and clinical lead for the Hepatitis C National Elimination Programme across the Bristol and Severn Region, said: “Routine screening for hepatitis B and C in our EDs will greatly improve patients’ access to specialist care, by rapidly linking them to simple and highly effective treatment. We are hopeful that this will enable the Bristol and Severn region to eliminate hepatitis C well before the WHO target of 2030 and improve outcomes for patients with hepatitis B.

“Viral hepatitis is usually a silent disease until patients develop either liver failure or liver cancer, both of which can be completely prevented by early antiviral treatment. The ED testing programme complements a wider Bristol initiative to improve screening for liver disease including the Alright My Liver? community fibroscan project.

“We are fortunate to have an experienced team of peer support workers from the Hep C Trust and Brigstowe working closely with our hospital teams to help counsel patients previously not known to have a blood-borne virus.”

Professor Tim Whittlestone, Bristol NHS Group Chief Medical and Innovation Officer, said: “We’re proud to be offering BBV testing across our EDs, helping thousands of people better understand their health, and when needed, access the care they need.

“This routine screening could make a huge difference, especially for those who may be living with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV without any symptoms. Early detection is key, and this programme ensures that more people get the right support at the right time. It’s also a great example of what we can achieve through collaboration between our two Trusts, working together to improve health outcomes in our communities.”

Hepatitis B and C can be symptomless, meaning people can live with them for years and not know. However, treatment is free on the NHS and can be lifesaving.

What are the risk factors for hepatitis?

• If you've ever lived in, or had medical or dental treatment, in a country where hepatitis C is more common
• If you've had a tattoo or piercing with unsterilised equipment, including in prisons or in a non-professional setting
• If you share personal items, such as toothbrushes, scissors and razors
• If your mother had hepatitis C
• If you have experienced a needle stick or sharps injury
• If you live, or have lived, with someone with hepatitis C
• If you've had sex without a condom with someone with hepatitis C (but the chance is low unless it is sexual activity that might expose you to blood)
• If you had a blood transfusion, blood products, or an organ or tissue transplant in the UK before 1996.
• If you've ever used drug paraphernalia, or ever shared injecting equipment for any type of drug

You can order a free hepatitis C test at home kit from NHS England by visiting https://hepctest.nhs.uk/