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Dried blood spot testing and care pathways
Noel Craine, Research Scientist, National Public Health Service for Wales, Bangor
Abstract
In North West Wales we have now provided dried blood spot testing to substance misuse service users for over two years. Setting up the service involved collaboration between the substance misuse service and the microbiology service.
The main logistical challenges were ensuring testing kit was available to parts of the substance misuse service providing testing across a wide geographical area, ensuring staff were trained in the procedure and ensuring and that the microbiology service and substance misuse service had a clear line of communication to iron out any teething problems and any difficulties regarding samples.
Testing was widely taken up by service users; this provided the challenge of ensuring that individuals were able to access follow-up confirmation testing and ultimately treatment. Responding to this challenge required the collaboration of the drug services and the gastroenterology service who provided clinical treatment of infection. This service has evolved and developed in response to the challenges of providing treatment to a vulnerable population with a poor uptake of health care. The presentation will discuss the lessons learnt in this process.
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Biography
I work as a research scientist for the National Public Health Service for Wales, as part of the Health Protection team. My research background is in the study of disease transmission. Over the last few years the focus of my work has been the epidemiology and prevention of blood born viral transmission.
My current focus is on the forthcoming blood born viral hepatitis action plan for Wales. This plan has been developed on the basis of research in Wales carried out by the NPHS, and addresses prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infection.
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