26 August 2025
WithYou's North East Lincolnshire team have held an event to celebrate achieving micro-elimination of hepatitis C.
Chaired by clinical lead Yvonne Ward, the event brought together key partners and stakeholders who have been instrumental in achieving this significant public health victory. Public health programme manager for North East Lincolnshire Council - which commissions WithYou to deliver the service - Sarah Lumley delivered a keynote speech thanking staff for their incredible work. She presented operations manager Fiona Wilkinson with a special recognition award, acknowledging her leadership and the team's dedication in reaching what she described as "not just a public health milestone" but also "a deeply human achievement".
The event featured presentations from leading experts and partners across the hepatitis C elimination landscape:
- Andy Madison from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
- Emma Lamond, director of integrated treatment at WithYou
- Frances Barrowclough from Gilead Sciences
- Jason George from The Hepatitis C Trust
- Layla Spauls, hepatitis C specialist nurse at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust
- Kasey from the NHS' Operational Delivery Network
- Dr Easom, consultant in Infectious Diseases and ODN Clinical Lead, who sent a congratulatory message and celebratory refreshments to mark the occasion
- 100% of clients in structured treatment are offered a hepatitis C test
- 100% of those with a history of injecting have been tested
- 90% of current and previous injectors have had a hepatitis C test within the last 12 months
- 90% of clients who tested positive have completed or commenced treatment
The North East Lincolnshire service's success contributes to the World Health Organisation's ambitious goal to eliminate hepatitis C as a major health threat by 2030.
