England moves closer to eliminating hepatitis C

England is closing in on eliminating hepatitis C through testing, outreach and short courses of antiviral tablets. The virus can quietly damage the liver for years, so the NHS programme has taken treatment beyond clinics and towards people who may face stigma or struggle to access healthcare.

More than 100,000 people have been diagnosed and treated since 2015. England has met the World Health Organization target of treating 80% of known cases, while deaths linked to hepatitis C have fallen by 36% over the past decade. Modern tablets cure more than 95% of cases in eight to twelve weeks.

The useful lesson is gloriously unglamorous: medicine works best when services find the people who need it. Free home tests and support through pharmacies, GPs and specialist services can turn a hidden infection into a treatable one.

Elimination is not a victory lap yet. Around 50,200 adults were still living with hepatitis C in England in 2024, and an estimated 84.6% had been diagnosed, below the 90% goal. Continued funding, testing and trust will decide whether the final stretch is crossed.