Partnerships must continue to prioritise reducing blood-borne viruses and drug-related deaths as part of a recovery-oriented treatment system, NTA Chief Executive, Paul Hayes told a conference on substance misuse and hepatitis C this week.

Speaking at the London Joint Working Group for Substance Misuse and Hepatitis C, Mr Hayes said that while the drug treatment sector has made notable strides on tackling this issue there is still more work to be done.

The data shows that progress is being made, he said. Testing among injectors in England is increasing and levels of reported sharing of injecting equipment has steadily decreased in recent years among all injectors. However, tackling hepatitis C remains "work in progress".

The Drug Strategy made clear that improved health and wellbeing is essential if people are to achieve sustained recovery from drug dependency, he said.. Recovery encompasses a range of interventions designed to assist someone at every stage of their journey towards freedom from drug dependence.

It does not exclude harm reduction interventions, and in fact, 'preventing drug-related deaths and blood-borne viruses' was listed as one of the best practice outcome for successful delivery in a recovery-orientated system.

The Drug Strategy also makes clear that in commissioning a recovery-orientated treatment system, local areas should continue to prioritise preventing the spread of blood borne viruses, reducing drug related deaths and working with local GPs and hospitals to improve the mental and physical health of injectors.

Providing appropriate medical treatment for hepatitis C positive people remains a significant challenge, he said, but a recovery-orientated substance misuse treatment system will help support people to face up to their health problems, get tested, deal with their status and get treated.

Once treated, these people will be better able to make progress in their recovery journey, to get closer to or to enter the job market, and look after their families.

As we move towards a new de-centralised public health system Mr Hayes said it was up to local champions to continue to make the case and drive local innovations needed to improve hepatitis C outcomes.

"In the past this has not been the priority it should be," he said. "If we do not take immediate action the future cost to NHS London alone is estimated at more than £600 million. We cannot afford not to tackle this issue now."