Hepatitis C work praised

AN action plan to reduce the numbers of undiagnosed hepatitis C has won a top award.

NHS Scotland wants to raise awareness of the disease, which has a recorded 3000 sufferers in the Lothians.

As part of its work, it introduced new treatment tools, making it less traumatic and more available to patients.

The team was handed the Government Opportunities Innovation of the Year award. Jim Miller, director in strategic sourcing of national procurements for NHS Scotland, said: "This initiative standardised the medicines and drug injecting equipment used in the treatment of hepatitis C across Scotland."

It is estimated there are a further 3000 who don't know they have it, and it is those people who are at greater risk.