FRIDAY, 23 JULY, 2021

Photographs attached: 1 - Professor Dillon with some of the team involved in the project, 2 – Professor Dillon

Tayside doctor recognised for pioneering work to eliminate hepatitis C

A Tayside doctor who led a pioneering project to eliminate hepatitis C in Tayside has been recognised with a global award.

Consultant hepatologist and gastroenterologist Professor John Dillon has been named as a 2021 Elimination Champion by the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination. The accolade is in recognition of Professor Dillon’s contributions to advancing hepatitis elimination in Scotland and ensuring learning is shared throughout the world.

In 2020, NHS Tayside became the first region in the world to effectively eliminate hepatitis C with its innovative approach to treating the disease. This was achieved through a successful collaboration between NHS Tayside’s community nursing, pharmacy and lab teams, Public Health’s Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Managed Care Network, University of Dundee and third sector partners including the Cairn Centre in Dundee.

Professor Dillon said, “I am honoured to receive this award. It is recognition for a team effort by many people, to improve care for people who are often lost in our systems. The approach of keeping it simple for people in need of healthcare is one we can all use and learn from.”

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a blood borne virus which affects the liver and can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. Around 90% of HCV infections occur in people who inject drugs, or have previously done so, through sharing needles.

The NHS Tayside project, led by Professor Dillon and developed in collaboration with the University of Dundee, targets people who inject drugs without waiting until they go on to recovery programmes or stop using drugs. This prevents them passing the virus on to others and helps stop the spread of HCV among the population.

So far, NHS Tayside has treated almost 2,000 people living with hepatitis C – which is more than 90% of the estimated number of people living with HCV in Tayside – meeting both the World Health Organisation and Scottish Government elimination targets ahead of schedule.

NHS Tayside Chief Executive Grant Archibald said, “This project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved in partnership with our university and third sector colleagues.

“Professor Dillon has led the way in developing new approaches to improve care and treatment for patients in Tayside and beyond and he thoroughly deserves this international recognition.

“We are all very proud of this pioneering programme which has made such a difference to the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens.”

Contact:

Louise Wilson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718