Southport Town Hall will be lit up purple on Thursday 28th July to mark World Hepatitis Day.

Southport Town Hall will be lit up purple on Thursday 28th July to mark World Hepatitis Day.

This year sees the start of the final, three-year countdown to NHS England’s goal of eliminating Hepatitis C in England by 2025.

Liverpool University Hospital Foundation Trust (LUHFT, Hepatitis C Trust and Change Grow Live (CGL), who are commissioned to provide drug and alcohol treatment service for Sefton, are hosting a Hepatitis C Awareness Week between Monday 25th and Friday 29th July.

CGL staff will be available to promote testing and treatment at their Southport and Bootle Offices all week for all people who would like to know their Hepatitis C status.

Support, guidance, and treatment information will also be available. Refreshments will also be provided, and vouchers will be available for anyone who completes a test.

CGLS’ offices are at The Greenhouse, 2 Bridle Way, Bootle, L30 4UA and 8 Church Street, Southport, PR9 0QT. People can also contact Change Grow Live on 0151 203 9755 or find out more at www.changegrowlive.org/sefton 

The Hepatitis Trust runs a helpline on 020 7089 6221 which can be reached 10.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays and over the Christmas break, when dates and times may vary). People can also email at [email protected] to arrange a call back or find out more at http://www.hepctrust.org.uk 

Sefton is joining councils across the north in lighting up Southport Town Hall in purple to support the campaign.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said:
“I am pleased we are able to support World Hepatitis Day and NHS England’s ambitious goal of eliminating Hepatitis C in England by 2025, by turning Southport Town Hall purple on Thursday 28th July.

“I would recommend anyone who wants to check their Hepatitis C status to take advantage of CGL’s offer and go along to their Bootle or Southport offices for a free test this week.”

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health said:
“For Sefton says this is a really important initiative and an opportunity to both increase local awareness of hepatitis and to put people in touch with essential treatment services.

“This is an example of how services can work together to reduce harms associated with substance use in line with the Government’s latest strategy on drugs.”

A range of activities are taking place across the country to mark this year’s World Hepatitis Day including fundraising skydiving events, which people can support by donating at www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/WHD2022