Oldham drug and alcohol service achieves ground-breaking micro-elimination of Hepatitis C

A leading drug and alcohol provider in Oldham has announced that they have achieved micro-elimination of Hepatitis C.

The Rochdale and Oldham Drug and Alcohol Service (ROAR), which is part of the social enterprise Turning Point, set out to compete with a high rate of testing, treatment initiation, and treatment completion within the population it serves. 

The Oldham service achieved micro-elimination by meeting four targets set out by the NHS, which are 100 per cent of people using the service have been offered a hepatitis C test; 98 per cent of those with a history of injecting have been tested, 91.5 per cent of these people have then been tested in the last 12 months and 95.1 per cent of people who were diagnosed with hepatitis C have started treatment. 

Hepatitis C is a bloodborne virus that damages the liver. Over time, persistent infection can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure or cancer. Globally, Hepatitis C causes around 290,000 deaths and 1.5 million new infections each year. 

Injecting drug use (previous or current) continues to be the most important risk factor for Hepatitis C infection in the UK. 

Substance use services provide free Dried Blood Spot Tests (DBST) a simple, minimally invasive procedure used to test for blood-borne viruses (BBVs) such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. 

Lacey (not real name) went into treatment with Turning point in September 2019. She did routine DBSTs throughout 2019 – 2022. After all the tests came back negative, she decided to decline further tests as she felt she wasn’t putting herself at risk of contracting any blood borne viruses. 

However, in August 2024, when she did have another DBST, the result came back positive for Hepatitis C. 

Lacey said she was ‘absolutely gutted’. She was confused as to how she had contracted the virus given she had not injected for 11 years. The clinical team explained to her that there are other means of transmission to which Lacey revealed she had sporadically used a pipe to smoke drugs. 

Lacey was referred to Turning Point Oldham’s Hepatitis C clinic that is run alongside Manchester Foundation Trust. She began treatment in January 2025 and completed it in April 2025. Lacey received the news in July 2025 that she was clear of Hepatitis C. 

‘’The news of my positive test really dragged me down to reality. I thought after not injecting for 11 years I would not test positive,” said Lacey. 

“The treatment, however, was fabulous. Turning Point were wonderful. People often struggled to get my blood which I was worried about, but it was not a problem - I was always reassured. I got supported with being picked up and taken to appointments. 

“Taking one tablet in the morning became part of my usual medication routine, it was so quick and easy, the team were brilliant’’. 

Julian Guerriero, Senior Policy, Strategy & Commissioning Manager, Public Health, said: “Achieving micro-elimination of Hepatitis C in Oldham drug services is a fantastic milestone to have achieved and demonstrates the positive work that Turning Point have been delivering to Oldham residents accessing the service and supporting them to address their wider health needs.  

“This is an excellent achievement and shows how supporting people to access our services can have a massive impact on their health and wellbeing.” 

Chelsea Whittaker, Operations Manager at Turning Point’s Oldham drug and alcohol service, said: “We are proud to announce that Oldham has successfully reached Micro-elimination. This is a testament to the hard work of the staff team and the relationships we have with our service users. 

“We have been able to educate people on the micro-elimination journey and its purpose. This success shows what is possible when we combine compassion, innovation and determination, it gives us real momentum for the future and maintaining micro-elimination within our Oldham service.’’ 

Dawn Baker, Turning Point’s National blood-borne viruses (BBVs) lead, said: “I am extremely proud of the teams' efforts ensuring some of the county's most vulnerable people easily access testing and treatment for Hepatitis C. Collaborative and person-centred care has allowed us to achieve this target.”