To reiterate, our motion calls on the Welsh Government to develop a national strategic plan to deliver HCV elimination by 2030 at the latest, which is sustainably resourced, patient centric, and focuses on the whole pathway. At least 8,000 people in Wales are estimated to be chronically infected with hepatitis C, about half of whom are unaware they have the virus. Hepatitis C is a preventable and treatable blood-borne virus primarily affecting the liver. It can be fatal without treatment. During a debate here on hepatitis C five years ago, which called on the Welsh Government to confirm their commitment to the World Health Organization eradication date of 2030, I stated that the elimination of hepatitis C as a serious public health concern in Wales is a wholly achievable goal. Noting that in the 1970s and 1980s, a large proportion of blood products supplied to patients by the NHS was contaminated with HIV or hepatitis C, I concluded that to achieve the elimination of hepatitis C, we must find the 50 per cent of people currently undiagnosed, by widening access to testing and further investigating which groups could be cost-effectively screened, and that with effective and accessible new treatments now available to all who need them, it is easier than ever to treat and cure patients, presenting a great opportunity to achieve the elimination of hepatitis C in Wales. That was five years ago. Five years later, action is needed to get the hepatitis C elimination journey in Wales back on track and stop Wales being left behind.

Questioning the health Minister here in February, I noted that in England and Northern Ireland, the target to eliminate hepatitis C is 2025, and in Scotland 2024, and asked the Minister to confirm that the Welsh Government will review its target date to eliminate hepatitis in Wales by 2030 at the latest, and in so doing, how she will address calls for best practice developed in Wales and other UK nations to be harnessed. Although the Minister agreed to look at whether there was any possibility of moving the target date in Wales, she subsequently wrote to me, stating:

'While I do not rule out bringing forward the elimination target in the future, realistically, our current target of elimination by 2030 is already very stretching...I will continue to update the Senedd on our progress.'

And then that 'health boards are working on recovery plans, and my officials are in the process of reviewing opposition in order to prioritise next steps.' Yet, despite the impact of the pandemic on the health services and populations of the other UK nations, they have not altered their elimination target dates and have put in place national strategic plans and programmes and additional resources. Why should Wales have to lag behind yet again?