Colm Burke
Question:
510. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if there is clear access to data on the prevalence of hepatitis C amongst the prison population in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33393/21]
View answer
Colm Burke
Question:
511. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if surveys have been carried out in any Irish prisons in the past five years in respect of hepatitis C and its prevalence amongst the prison population in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33394/21]
View answer
I propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 511 together.
It has not been possible to obtain the information requested by the Deputy within the timeframe permitted in respect of Parliamentary Questions 33393/21 and 33394/21. I have requested the relevant information and will provide it directly to the Deputy once it has been received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to your recent Parliamentary Questions Numbers 510 and 511 for answer on 22 June 2021 which asked
“if there is clear access to data on the prevalence of hepatitis C amongst the prison population in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter and
if surveys have been carried out in any Irish prisons in the past five years in respect of hepatitis C and its prevalence amongst the prison population in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter”.
As you will recall the information was not readily available at that time and I undertook to respond to you as soon as possible.
All prisoners committed to prison are subject to a comprehensive medical assessment by the Prison Healthcare Team. Hepatitis C screening is offered to all new prisoners as part of this assessment. Prisoners can also request Hepatitis C screening through their local Prison Healthcare Team at any stage of their time in custody.
In addition, all prisoners who are actively engaged with addiction services are routinely screened as per the advice of the Addiction Counsellor/Clinical Addiction Team.
The information received as part of this process is recorded on the prisoner’s individual medical record on the Prison Healthcare Management System and provides prison management with significant medical information on the prisoners in their care and allows for the development of an individual healthcare plan for the prisoner while in custody.
Medical treatment is provided, if clinically indicated, including treatment for Hepatitis C. At present, Hepatitis C treatment is available to those who are identified as requiring same and arranged by Prison Healthcare Staff supported by specialist colleagues from the Acute Hospital Sector.
While medical information, including details of the results of Hepatitis C screening, is held on the individual prisoner record, the system does not allow for centralised reporting of a particular medical condition. Steps are being taken to review how this data is compiled and the Irish Prison Service’s aim is to have this completed by the end of 2021.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that in 2017, the Service (IPS) partnered with an EU project (HepCare Europe) to enhance screening for populations at risk of Hepatitis C infection, and specifically implemented an enhanced Hepatitis C screening programme at Mountjoy Prison in collaboration with the Mater Hospital. The initiative aimed to improve access to, and the effectiveness of, Hepatitis C treatment and supporting patients through treatment. The programme consisted of an initial nurse-led screening programme. A total of 422 (78% of the study population) participated in the study.
This study reported that approximately one in five prisoners had evidence of a previous infection and that the main risk for Hepatitis C infection was intra-venous drug use. Once detected, patients with Hepatitis C infection were offered treatment with new direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) as this can reduce their viral load dramatically as well as the risk of secondary infections, extent of liver damage and the need for liver transplantation.
The reporting of Hepatitis C infection in prisoners in this way allows for the estimation of the true levels of active Hepatitis C infection, the monitoring of treatment outcomes and rates of re-infection. Identifying risk factors for Hepatitis C infection allows for targeted prevention, screening and treatment strategies. Combined they allow for the informed planning and implementation of national and international Hepatitis C strategies.
The Irish Prison Service is continuing its engagement with the HSE and developing plans for the implementation of a GP led community model of care for the screening and management of Hepatitis C across the prison estate, in line with the National Hepatitis C Strategy.
