Theme: Models of Care Year: 2024
Background: The NHS Addiction Providers Alliance (NHSAPA) is a group of 18 NHS Trusts in the UK providing addiction services. In 2020, 15 signed up to Hep C U Later (HCUL) which is the NHSAPA’s HCV elimination project representing over 30,000 patients, with an estimated 36% at risk of contracting hepatitis C (HCV).
The data analytic component provides high level statistical analysis using subsets of standardised Statutory National Drug Treatment datasets (NDTMS). This is provided monthly to HCUL under data sharing agreements using unique client identifiers. In 2022, the use of data was enhanced to enable analysis and subsequent targeting for testing and treatment of HCV. The analysis identified individual patients’ requiring interventions and the initiation of HCV treatment packages. In 2023, the performance management was further developed with the introduction of UK’s Drug Treatment Providers 4 micro-elimination targets.
Description of model of care/intervention/program: By providing analysis of NDTMS data, monthly dashboards are created along with specific data spreadsheets, which are returned to services. These enable targeted testing on a needs basis and an assessment of progress towards micro-elimination. Through identifying those who are RNA+ we ensure all are referred and supported into treatment and SVR’s are obtained. Robust monitoring for reinfections is also being completed using the data.
Effectiveness: Using data driven testing the project has seen over 42,000 people tested for HCV with over 2393 successfully treated for HCV. HCUL has also seen significant improvements in HCV data quality. The data analysis has allowed 20 services to declare and maintain micro-elimination of HCV based on 4 micro-elimination criteria.
Conclusion and next steps: The program has been successful in moving the NHSAPA towards the WHO elimination target by using advanced data analytics and AI to enable the services to manage and maintain micro-elimination.