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Connecting Communities, Building Knowledge, Improving Liver Health Dear Member, Hepatitis NSW wants to keep all of our members informed about the work that we do, especially those of you currently in prison. For that reason we have produced this print version of our email newsletter especially for you. We hope you find it useful. Regards Steven Drew CEO.
HEP C TESTING AND HEALTH CHECKS Hepatitis NSW has been out and about supporting hep C testing and health checks in prisons and community corrections. At South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra, we joined Justice Health NSW for Hepatitis Awareness Week. We talked with people in prison about hep C, how it spreads, how to stay safer, and how to look after your health. There was also a fun quiz about FINCOL to clean personal items. More than 80 people joined in. Public Health nurses also ran a clinic on the day. More than 20 people had health checks, including hep C tests and blood pressure checks.
At Junee Correctional Centre, JD from Hepatitis NSW joined NUAA and Murrumbidgee Local Health District staff for four days of hep C testing and treatment. More than 400 tests were done. That is about 70% of the people in prison at Junee. Continued over
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There was also testing work in the community. Hepatitis NSW staff spent three days in Bathurst doing Dried Blood Spot testing. This test uses a small blood sample to check for active hep C. Bathurst Community Corrections helped tell people about the testing event. In Leichhardt, Sydney Local Health District HARP and Hepatitis
LISTENING TO YOU Hepatitis NSW wants to hear from people in prison. Your feedback helps us make our information and support easier to use. At a prison health conference run by Justice Health NSW, Susanne from our Infoline team shared a poster called “Fully Sick”. The poster showed feedback from people in prison who used our Hepatitis Information Packs. These packs have easy info about hepatitis. They also have a feedback
NSW peer worker Liam went to a Service Hub at Community Corrections. Eighteen people had a quick hep C finger prick test and got a $20 gift card. Flu shots and women’s health checks were also offered. At visits like these, we share simple hep C info and tell people in prison about the free Hepatitis Infoline, Hepatitis Information Packs, playing cards and Tx! Mag comic book.
form and stamped envelopes so people can write back to us. One big message from the conference was this: people in prison should get health care that is clear, kind and useful. Support should also keep going when people leave prison and return to the community. If you are in a NSW prison, you can call the Hepatitis Infoline for free. Press #3 on the Common Auto Dial List (CADL). You can also ask us to send you a Hep Info Pack.
BETTER CARE FOR ABORIGINAL PEOPLE IN PRISON
Aboriginal people are overrepresented in prison. This can make the risk of hep C higher. It can also be harder to get testing, treatment and health information that feels safe and respectful.
liked was “Yarnties”. This is an Eldersled program. It shares hep C info with yarning, culture and trust. People also liked the idea of a short hep C video on a tablet. This could help people learn in a private and easy way.
Hepatitis NSW is working with Justice Health NSW to support Aboriginal “One idea people people in prison. liked was “Yarnties” This includes testing This is an Elder’s led trips, treatment support, and program. It shares messages shaped hep C info with by Mob.
Maia and Saysana from Hepatitis NSW also went to Close the Gap Day at Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre. Many services gathered to support yarning, culture and We have also better health for trust” been talking with people in prison. Aboriginal people Thanks to Alan and in prison about what kind of support Gary from Justice Health NSW for would work best. One idea people helping organise the day.
WORKING TOGETHER TO END HEP C Ending hep C takes teamwork. Hepatitis NSW works with Justice Health NSW, Local Health Districts, NUAA, Community Corrections and other services to help more people get testing, treatment and support. In November 2025, the National Prisons Hepatitis Network held its yearly workshop in Melbourne. The topic was how prisons can help end hep C. Steven and Liam from Hepatitis NSW attended, talking about hep C testing in prisons and Community Corrections events across NSW. The workshop also
looked at how health services can work better together. When services share ideas and work as a team, it can make support easier to find and easier to use.
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NO PEEKING..!
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Hepatitis NSW Member’s Newsletter - Issue No 1 Winter 2026. PO Box 432 Darlinghurst NSW 1300