Forward Leeds Film Runner Up in Worldwide Competition A short film made by Forward Leeds, the city’s alcohol and drug service, was recently voted runner-up in a worldwide competition organised by the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination. Using the testimonies of people who had been cleared of hepatitis C to emphasise how treatment has improved in Leeds, ‘Don't Live in Doubt’ encourages people to get tested and treated. “To be recognised in a global competition is fantastic”, said Lee Wilson, Operations Director. “The film is a great way to get across that treatment for hepatitis C is now much faster, simpler and has fewer side effects. We are finding our service users are going through to fully complete the treatment and there is a 90% success rate.” The filmmakers interviewed people about their positive experiences of being treated in Leeds. The interviews were then edited, together with shots of famous Leeds landmarks.
“Prevention, testing and treatment of hepatitis C is an important part of the Leeds Drug and Alcohol Strategy”, said Cllr Rebecca Charlwood, Leeds City Council Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adults. “We are really proud to have been involved with this short film, which raises awareness of how easy it is to get tested and treated in Leeds. The Don’t Live in Doubt campaign also contributes to the wider global effort to eliminate this virus.” The film was joint second in the category Political and Civil Support, alongside films from Uganda, New Zealand and South Africa. It was originally made as part of a larger 2019 campaign encouraging people to get tested and was made with support from the Leeds City Council, the Hepatitis C Trust and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The improved treatment for hepatitis C is delivered from a range of sites across the city including the three Forward Leeds hubs. To see the film visit https://www. forwardleeds.co.uk/health-campaigns/ hepatitis-c-dont-live-in-doubt/