Updates from IReSH Co-Chairs
We’ve been really busy behind the scenes this spring and summer and we’re excited to bring you a few updates:
IReSH website:
We are delighted that Scottish Government have funded three years' of costs of running the IReSH website: https://www.iresh.org.uk/. We have recently "refreshed" the website, including adding links to recordings of presentations from our Spring 2025 meetings (see list of speakers below). We hope this new function will add value both for IReSH members, and also promote connection with the wider SHBBV community internationally who will be able to access talks about SHBBV research and practice work within Scotland. If anyone would like to share anything on the website we're open to ideas of what else we can do/host on there so please do get in touch with one of the Co-Chairs.
Change of Co-Chairs:
After three years as Co-Chair of the network, Ruth Lewis is stepping down from this role. We had a fantastic response to our call for a new Co-Chair and are delighted to announce that Dr. Chase Ledin (University of Edinburgh) is joining the Co-Chair team with immediate effect. We met with those who expressed interest in the Co-Chair role to discuss opportunities to involve a wider group of network members in developing the strategic direction of the network. Please watch this space for more details on how you can get involved...
Save the date: "Collaborative Approaches to Whole-Prison Hepatitis C Testing (12-1pm, 16th September 2025)".
This session will explore recent whole-prison hepatitis C testing initiatives in Scotland, led by Jess Ryan and Paul Cushley working in Lothian prisons, in collaboration with The Hepatitis C Trust. The team recently conducted a large-scale testing event at HMP Edinburgh, with another planned for HMP Addiewell. These are the first initiatives of their kind in Scotland, drawing on The Hepatitis C Trust’s extensive experience of running over 80 similar events in England. The Edinburgh event was highly successful and well received by prisoners, serving as a strong example of collaborative efforts to tackle stigma and health inequalities. The team works both in the community and within prisons, ensuring continuity of care for patients throughout their treatment journeys. This session will provide insight into the planning, implementation, and impact of these initiatives, highlighting best practices and opportunities for future work.
Call for speakers
Are you planning, conducting or looking to share and discuss SHBBV-related research or practice that you're involved in? Approximately 30-35 members attend our online lunchtime network meetings, with speakers and attendees joining from NHS, academia, third sector and PHS to discuss work on a range of SHBBV-related topics. If you would like to share your work, please do get in touch with Nicola and Faye (you can email us on hello@iresh.co.uk).
We look forward to seeing you again in Autumn 2025!
Nicola and Faye (IRESH Co-Chairs), and Ruth (former Co-Chair)
THANKS TO ALL SPEAKERS AT OUR 2025 SPRING IReSH MEETINGS!
NB All talks are either already uploaded to the website, or will be soon - view them here:
DoxyPEP implementation: thinking across communities (Jaime Garcia Iglesias, University of Edinburgh)
Blood Borne Virus Support in Prisons (Jess Ryan, NHS Lothian, and Christopher Ward, Waverley Care)
How could a focus on sexual wellbeing help tackle contemporary challenges in sexual health? (Prof. Kirstin Mitchell, University of Glasgow)
From Scotland to South Africa: Meaningfully embedding lived-experience in research and services (Eh!woza & Ese Johnson, Waverley Care)
Sexual health access for the trans community in Edinburgh (Oliver Ellis, Waverley Care)
