#85 HepSA Community News

Community News

#85 • April 2020

FREE!

Please take one

Hepatitis SA provides free information and education on viral hepatitis, and support to people living with viral hepatitis.

Street Address: 3 Hackney Road, Hackney Postal Address:

PO Box 782 Kent Town SA 5071

Phone:

Fax:

(08) 8362 8443 1800 437 222 (08) 8362 8559

Online: www.hepsa.asn.au HepSAY Blog: hepsa.asn.au/blog Library: hepsa.asn.au/library @HepatitisSA

@hep_sa Resources: issuu.com/hepccsa Email: admin@hepatitissa.asn.au Cover: COVID-19 virus artwork by Alissa Eckert, MS & Dan Higgins, MAMS Correspondence: Please send all correspondence to

The Editor at PO Box 782, Kent Town, SA 5071,

or email editor@hepatitissa.asn.au.

Editor: James Morrison Some photos in this publication have been altered to disguise identifying details of members of the public.

Contents

1 New HA CEO HEPATITIS SA BOARD Chair Arieta Papadelos

2 COVID-19 & Hepatitis 5 Easier Prescriptions?

6 COVID and HCV Cures

Vice Chair Bill Gaston

8 Five Years of CNP Peers

Secretary Deb Perks

Treasurer Michael Larkin Ordinary Members Julio Alejo John Beeslee Catherine Ferguson Sharon Jennings Bernie McGinnes Sam Raven Kerry Paterson (EO)

ISSN 2651-9011 (Online)

12 For Our CNP Clients IFDS Day

13 What’s On? 14 In Our Library 16 Youth Education

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of Hepatitis SA. Information contained in this newsletter is not intended to take the place of medical advice given by your doctor or specialist.

We welcome contributions from Hepatitis SA members and the general public.

SA Health has contributed funds towards this program.

Leadership Change

Hepatitis Australia appoints new CEO Carrie Fowlie at a drug policy discussion in Canberra

H

epatitis Australia has appointed Carrie Fowlie as its incoming Chief Executive Officer.

Following the retirement of Helen Tyrrell at the beginning of February, Hepatitis Australia undertook a rigorous recruitment process to identify the person to take over the operational leadership of the organisation and work closely with the Board.

Hepatitis Australia President Associate Professor Grant Phelps said, “The Board is delighted that Carrie has accepted the position of CEO. Carrie brings deep experience and knowledge of the sector and is well known to and highly regarded by many who have worked with Hepatitis Australia.

“Carrie is very well positioned to assist the Board and staff of Hepatitis Australia to continue to drive towards improving the lives of people with hepatitis B and hepatitis C and our vision of an end to viral hepatitis in Australia.”

Carrie Fowlie heads to Hepatitis Australia with almost two decades of peak body experience.

Carrie Fowlie has extensive representational experience at the national and international level. Her work with elected officials and their offices, in parliaments, at the United Nations and with government officials has resulted in policies that are consistent with the evidence and the priorities of the constituencies she has represented.

Carrie Fowlie said, “The leadership of Hepatitis Australia with its members, affected communities, the sector and allies over the past decade has been transformative.”

“What an extraordinary opportunity, working

together to achieve a shared goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030.

“I look forward to contributing to the health and wellbeing and strengthening the voices of around 400,000 Australians living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C and those who represent them.”

Acting CEO Kevin Marriott said, “The staff team at Hepatitis Australia is excited to welcome Carrie and we look forward to her leadership and guidance into the future.”

Carrie Fowlie will formally commence with Hepatitis Australia in mid-April. v

April 2020 • HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85

1

COVID-19 & Hepatitis

Some basic facts

C

OVID-19 is the name of the disease caused by a new coronavirus first reported in Hubei Province, China in 2019.

Coronaviruses can make humans and animals sick. Some coronaviruses can cause illness similar to the common cold and others can cause more serious diseases, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

COVID-19 is most likely to spread from person-toperson through: • direct close contact with a person while they are infectious • close contact with a person with a confirmed infection who coughs or sneezes, or • touching objects or surfaces (such as door handles or tables) contaminated from a cough or sneeze from a person with a confirmed infection, and then touching your mouth or face.

The virus causing COVID-19 infection has not previously affected humans, and

2

no vaccine is currently available. This means there is no immunity to this infection in the community. Practising good hand and sneeze/ cough hygiene is the best defence against most viruses. Face masks are not routinely recommended for members of the public, unless you already have the virus (to reduce the risk of spreading to others), or if you are caring for someone who has COVID-19.

Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene and keeping your distance from others when you are sick is the best defence against most viruses. You should: • wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet • cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and use soap or alcohol-based hand sanitiser • avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 metres from people) • stay at home if you are unwell

HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85 • April 2020

• exercise personal responsibility for social distancing measures.

The virus will affect individuals differently.

Many people who come in contact with the virus will experience a mild illness or no symptoms at all, but some can go on to develop serious effects such as pneumonia. People with COVID-19 most commonly experience: • fever • flu-like symptoms, including coughing, sore throat and fatigue • shortness of breath So, what are the risks of COVID-19 for people living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C? At this stage there is no evidence to suggest people living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C and who are otherwise well are at greater risk of infection with COVID-19. However, current information suggests some people living with hepatitis B and hepatitis C who also have other conditions— such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes—will likely have an increased risk of

Electron microscope image of COVID-19 virus particles (in blue)

Image by Hannah A Bullock & Azaibi Tamin

serious illness if they get COVID-19.

People who have developed advanced liver diseases (including cirrhosis) and deteriorating health as a result of hepatitis B or C should be vigilant in protecting themselves from contracting COVID-19 as they are at risk of more serious illness. This includes people who have ongoing health conditions as a result of a previous hepatitis C infection which has been cured.

People with weakened immune systems (e.g. people on immunesuppressing medications (perhaps after a liver transplant), people receiving cancer treatments), elderly people (especially those aged over 70 years), Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander people and people with chronic medical conditions are particularly at risk from the effects of COVID-19.

If you have hepatitis B or hepatitis C, or have previously had hepatitis C, this crisis is a good reminder to consider asking your doctor for a liver health check if you have not had one in the last six months. Be vigilant and use the same COVID-19 protective measures recommended for the general population, and consult a healthcare provider if in doubt about your risk, especially if you have been around someone who has travelled overseas recently.

People with significant liver disease are recommended to receive vaccinations

against influenza and pneumococcal disease.

These are funded for people aged 65 and over, and influenza vaccine is funded for all people with chronic liver disease. It is a good idea to make an appointment with your GP to discuss vaccination as soon as possible.

The influenza vaccine provides optimal protection for the first three to four months after vaccination.

People within one year of liver transplantation are recommended to have a second flu-shot at least four weeks after the initial vaccination.

Pneumococcal vaccination every 5–10 years is also recommended for people with reduced immunity.

Specific recommendations vary according to age

April 2020 • HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85

3

An earlier version of this piece first appeared on our blog, HepSay, at hepatitissa.asn.au/blog. Come and visit us there! and previous vaccination history.

If you are a smoker, cigarette smoking also increases the risk of severe respiratory illness, and quitting smoking may reduce your chances of complications due to COVID-19.

If you are currently taking treatment for hepatitis B or hepatitis C, or other chronic conditions, it is recommended to ensure you have an adequate stock of your medication to reduce unnecessary visits to health services or pharmacies. Your medications were prescribed to manage your medical condition and to keep your condition well controlled. Stopping medication poses a risk of poor disease control.

Any adjustments to your medications should only occur in discussion with your treating clinician.

If you are unwell with COVID-19 then the doctors treating you may temporarily stop some of your medications.

Your specialist should be notified if this happens as alternative medications may be required.

It is important that people with GI and liver conditions remain under

4

care through the COVID-19 outbreak. Hospital clinics and specialists are reducing the numbers of people attending for routine review. Some people with active issues of concern may need to be seen for a face-to-face consultation.

However, from 13 March 2020 new Medicare item numbers are available for attending a specialist tele-health consultation by video-conference. As older people and those with chronic illnesses or who are immuno-suppressed may be at increased risk if they develop COVID-19 infection, these videoconference consultations provide a way of receiving specialist review of your condition without the infection risk associated with visiting the clinic.

You should contact your specialist to discuss whether a tele-health consultation is appropriate for you.

Remember, taking action sooner rather than later is advised, as increasing numbers of people in the general population infected with COVID-19 will put more strain on the healthcare system, making it harder to get appointments or visit medical clinics or hospitals. v

HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85 • April 2020

Further Information For more information about COVID-19, visit the SA Government hub at sa.gov.au/covid-19.

You can also contact the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.

This line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In South Australia, call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787. This operates from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.

For Hepatitis SA’s curated list of COVID-19 resources in languages other than English, visit bit.ly/covidlote.

For advice on managing stress and anxiety, start with headtohealth.gov.au/ covid-19-support/covid-19.

Advice in this article drawn from: www.health.gov.au www.hepatitisaustralia. com/covid-19 www.gesa.org.au/ resources/covid-19

Easier Prescriptions?

PBAC also wants price reduction from HCV companies

T

he Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee will consider loosening the prescribing authority for PBS-listed hepatitis C medicines, but the real focus seems to be on securing a price reduction for the government.

The Department of Health notified companies that make the reimbursed direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in writing in late February that the issue would be considered at the PBAC’s March meeting.

The letters arrived just days after a stakeholder roundtable was convened to discuss the current usage rates of the cures, including the concerning

Online industry website BioPharmaDispatch (pharmadispatch.com) first reported the story, and stated that during the roundtable stakeholders did not focus on the authority as a barrier to uptake. It is unclear the extent to which changing the authority level would improve the uptake of the DAA therapies. But the Federal Government would benefit from an increased uptake because of the existing agreements with DAA manufacturers.

Under the agreement, which expires in early 2021, the per-patient cost falls if uptake and spending on the therapies rise above specified caps, as more people are cured at a lower per-patient cost.

Lower utilisation means higher per-patient cost.

However, while changing the authority level may not lead to an increase in uptake with the potential lower per-patient cost, the federal government would immediately lock in a saving from any related price reduction.

The utilisation of the therapies surged when they were first added to the PBS in early 2016.

However, it subsequently fell, with monthly new patients starting treatment hovering at or below 1,000 nation-wide for most of the past two years.

The Australian Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, told BioPharmaDispatch in 2018 that achieving the goal of eliminating hepatitis C by the target date of 2030 requires 1,500 to 2,000 new patient initiations every month. (NB: see p13 for further positive PBS developments.) v

April 2020 • HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85

Image designed by macrovector_official / Freepik

The Committee will consider the potential loosening of the authority level from ‘authorityrequired’ to ‘streamlined’.

This would make DAAs quicker and easier for doctors to prescribe.

decline in uptake (see our story in issue 82, online at issuu.com/hepccsa/docs/ hcn82/12).

5

Preventing Transmission On COVID-19 and being cured of HCV

W

hen I was cured of hepatitis C in 2016 with the recent direct acting anti-viral pills, I was surprised by the amount of relief that I felt when I was given the result of hep C not detected. There was a remarkable weight lifted off my shoulders immediately. Having lived with hepatitis C for 27 years or more, I had not realised the weight I had been carrying around of feeling infectious.

I noticed this further when I had my first nosebleed after being cured. I have nosebleeds from time to time and this one felt strangely freeing. I enjoyed being able to bleed and not feel worried about where the blood had dripped, bagging up my tissues, scrubbing my hands and the surfaces to ensure noone else would get my blood into their bloodstream somehow. Of course, I still did all those things but not with the sense of urgency or worry. I have really enjoyed

6

that sense of freedom since being cured.

Now in light of the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact upon our most vulnerable community members, it all feels reminiscent of when I had hep C. I can’t help feeling like I have swapped out one virus for another. I don’t have COVID -19 (yet) but I can’t help feeling those same infectious feelings and worry. Knowing that COVID-19 transmits from one person to another while people feel well really worries me.

Again, I am walking around feeling infectious.

I am more aware of it with COVID-19 because we should all be aware of it. Practising social distancing, constantly washing my hands for the recommended 30 seconds, maniacally singing happy birthday (in my head) twice to ensure that all traces have been washed away, desperately trying not to touch my face,

HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85 • April 2020

staying 1.5 metres away from everyone, not shaking hands, opening doors with my elbow, surface protocolwiping door handles and regularly used surfaces with 70% alcohol.

When I had hep C, even though it didn’t feel that way, the reality was that it was the responsibility of all to use universal precautions to prevent hep C transmission. With COVID-19 it is different.

People should be responsible for themselves in that way but it goes further, it is about protecting others. It is about ensuring others don’t get it.

We know that epidemiologists are projecting that between 20% and 80% of Australians will get COVID, that 80% of them will experience mild symptoms, that 20% that have COVID will require hospitalisation, and 5% that get it will end up in intensive care. They say that the mortality rate may be somewhere

between 50,000 to 150,000 people in this country.

With prevention being our best protection until an effective vaccination is approved (when? Six, nine, twelve months from now?), I feel the weight heavily on my shoulders to ensure people that I have contact with are not infected with COVID-19 as a result of that contact with me.

There are many people in my life that are predisposed to complications and higher risk of death if they were to get COVID-19.

One of the most important people in my life is aged 76, has hypertension, is on non-steroidal antiinflammatory medication, has diabetes and a vitamin D deficiency, that’s 5 things that make it more likely that she will be at a higher risk of death from COVID. I don’t want her to get it and I don’t want her to be one of the people that ends up in critical care if the number of people in SA requiring health care exceeds the capability of our health care system.

Elle Jay Cee Community member April 2020 • HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85

7

Image designed by Freepik

I am feeling weighed down with trying to do all I can to drive down the rate of new infections—but that’s OK. Thankfully, I had room on my shoulders because the weight of hep C had gone. v

Five Years of Peers

CNP Peers reflect

A

Derived from artwork by pikisuperstar / Freepik

mong its other services, Hepatitis SA runs four Clean Needle Program (CNP) sites in Adelaide, at Hackney, Noarlunga, Port Adelaide, and Salisbury. Our CNP peer educators also attend rostered sessions at other sites at various times during the week. In late 2019, we celebrated this program’s fifth successful year, which would have been impossible without the hard work and dedication of our peer educators, who have personal experience and knowledge of injecting drug use and also have up-to-date knowledge on hepatitis B, hepatitis C and other bloodborne viruses. We asked some of our peer educators to reflect on how they came to the job, and what rewards they find in it.

8

What first made you want to be a peer worker at Hepatitis SA? PENNI: I first wanted to be a peer worker at Hep SA when they adopted CNP management—due to the focus on blood-borne viruses, this made sense. I was already familiar with the roles of CNP operator and peer educator, really enjoyed and felt fulfilled in the position, and felt an affinity for the work and the clients. I wanted to continue my existing employment as a CNP peer along with my existing part-time peer educator role with HepSA, so I was fortunate that I could perform both roles on a part time basis, plus the subject matter overlapped, permitting me to engage

HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85 • April 2020

in both CNP and HCV peer education work. I could bring skills from either specific role to help the other.

MARGIE: I became a peer worker because I wanted to help drug users get the correct information about how to use drugs and do the least amount of damage to your body and mind while doing it. I started using in the 1980s, when the only information came from other users. There were no CNPs, no Google, so you learned from others. We bought equipment from medical supplies shops. We bought glass barrels called Blue Ladies, and boxes of tips. There was no swabbing that I can remember, and we used the tips over and over

To see how our CNP services have changed during the COVID-19 outbreak, please see p12. until they wouldn’t push through the skin anymore.

We shared everything, though we did rinse the equipment a lot in between each use. As I owned a Blue Lady I got to go first—a big plus. When I moved to Sydney there was one chemist to get equipment from, in the Cross. Police sat outside taking photos of everybody going in and out, so we would go as little as possible. We all shared equipment. Nearly everybody I knew had what was then called Hep Non-A Non-B, which we now know is hepatitis C. We had no idea you could get different strains—they didn’t have a name for it or any information. Then AIDS hit and sharing became a game of Russian roulette. Many didn’t win.

Then in 1986 the first needle exchange—that’s what we called them—came in. It was a life-changer.

Not only could you get new equipment, you could get advice and information. If I remember correctly it was in an old police station! At that time I asked if I could volunteer there because I thought it was an amazing service. They didn’t have peers at the time so I was given the job of making up

10-packs. I didn’t last that long as I was put in a room alone and, to be honest, I got bored.

Life moved on and I didn’t really think about working in CNPs or being involved until I came to South Australia. I was told about SAVIVE and started volunteering there. It was great to be around people that felt the same about treating drug users with respect and offering as much information as I could to keep them safe. When a job came up at Hep SA as a peer educator, I jumped at the chance to apply.

BERNADETTE: I worked as a peer educator when the AIDS Council was funding the SAVIVE and SIN programs. I jumped at the opportunity to work for Hepatitis SA when it was provided with funding to continue to run the peer program—it’s very rewarding work and I knew how important the program was. I applied to do casual/relief work when Hepatitis SA advertised.

I enjoyed my role at SIN doing street outreach, providing condoms and needles to street-based sex workers and educating them on keeping safe while working, providing

education to prevent them from contracting BBVs, and educating them about ways in which they could minimise harm to themselves and make educated choices—again, to prevent the spread of BBVs. I also provided education on how to care for their veins by using sterile water, filters, swabs, and a new fit every hit, in order to prevent vein damage or a dirty hit. We also provide information about hepatitis and how hardy the virus is, education on not sharing tourniquets, spoons or mixing up in the same bag, and not sharing vein care cream or toiletries such as shavers, toothbrushes, or nail clippers.

SUE: I had been a peer worker for about 10 years when the AIDS Council, which used to fund the SAVIVE and SIN injecting drug programs, closed down, so I came to work for Hepatitis SA. Being a peer worker fulfilled me with work that I found myself good at. I have learned to listen, and to give the clients some referral advice in the areas that might help them.

However, I cannot do the job for them, and I believe we need more advocates to assist people lost in their

April 2020 • HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85

9

own depression or lifestyle choices. We peers have all been around for a number of years now, so we have all have a great rapport and trust with our clients.

JUSTIN: Working with my community is such a rewarding experience.

Given my own early interactions with CNPs, being able to step into that role and provide information and education to people that they simply can’t access anywhere else was so important. Without harm reduction education it can be very difficult to appreciate what can be important practice and what are myths. Given the taboo nature of injecting drug use, so many of the harms arise from stigma, and from the prohibition of substances as opposed to the substances themselves.

Helping people understand this not only gives them the tools to not cause detrimental harms, but also to be proud of who they are.

We help show people they have options, and that they can live happy and healthy lives whether they continue to need our service or not.

What have you found most rewarding about the role?

PENNI: I feel lucky to be in part-time employment where the work is 100%

10

interesting, worthwhile, enjoyable, and utilises personal skills, experience and aptitudes. Working as a peer with other peers allows you to grow in the workplace with like-minded and supportive people, where your goals and objectives are meaningful, and the subject matter has relevance for yourself and others, and where the client group is one for whom I have a strong affinity.

Interactions with the clients are positive, whether we’re providing assistance or simply exchanging a few words or a laugh. Being able to operate with autonomy in pursuit of these extremely worthwhile goals is highly rewarding. I actively and regularly appreciate numerous aspects of this CNP peer ed role with Hep SA. MARGIE: The most rewarding thing about being a peer worker is being able to share my knowledge and experiences with service users. I’m able to give them a piece of information that could change their quality of life, whether it is as simple as explaining swabbing to them or just having a chat with them.

That piece of information will then get shared amongst their friends, increasing their knowledge and keeping them from

HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85 • April 2020

harm. Many come in with serious problems—they don’t want you to fix it, they just want to be able to talk to someone who isn’t going to judge them or dismiss them. When they know that you have used drugs there is almost a sigh of relief because they don’t have to defend their life choice. We have something in common that lifts a veil, they become more honest and open about asking advice. I want that person to walk out after having had a good interaction with a service provider and knowing they can ask me anything. I also find I learn things from clients, they tell me about their lives, equipment and what’s happening in their community. I would love to keep doing this and keep learning for as long as I can.

SUE: The most rewarding thing about this job has been the confidence we give to our clients when we inform them of information they are clearly very worried about.

One regular client came in, distressed that his doctor had just informed him that he had hep C, and he was threatening suicide! I was distraught with that comment and went into overdrive giving him information about the disease and how now was the best time ever

to get cured, as the new medications had been in the community around six months by then, and success rates were astronomic… So I gave my client all this information and managed to calm him down, got him an appointment with a liver nurse, and he went on the medication and within the 12-week period he was cured, and he was over the moon. I haven’t had many interactions with clients like that one, but knowing we are acknowledged by them means an awful lot.

BERNADETTE: I find the feedback that we receive from clients to be a reward in itself. For example, to hear how comfortable they felt using our services and how they could openly talk about any issues they were having. Clients often relay how they like using our services because we are peers and have lived experience. They like that we not only can talk the talk, we walk the walk. The most positive feedback is clients saying how they know we are not judging them.

They compare our program

and services with other programs and say how they can see that even though often they are receiving their equipment needs, that they don’t feel like they can openly ask for advice, as the staff don’t have the experience to answer their questions, or they feel rushed or judged. Some of our long-term clients actually call in when they don’t need equipment just to say hello, or will make a point of having a chat about what’s happening in their life in general. Clients will often share with us how helpful another peer was or how we really helped them or changed the way they were feeling that day, just by being friendly and approachable, or because we took the time to listen, or we could see they seemed stressed, so we asked them if they were OK. A smile costs nothing but gives so much.

What other job is there where we are recognised for and able to share our own lived experiences with our peers and not only are we encouraged to share this, we

are recognized as “experts” and given the title of Peer Educator?

JUSTIN: Being “out” in a workplace as someone who has used drugs is an interesting experience—it has broken down barriers with so many people across the many agencies I have worked in. Drug users are usually portrayed and understood in a very narrow way, but by being a trustworthy and capable co-worker and caring about our clients, co-workers and workplace, it only takes a small amount of time to show people that those assumptions are wrong. It is most rewarding seeing people who might have once been afraid of, or scowled at the idea of drug users, now accepting and welcoming us as clients and members of the community.

We thank all of our peer educators for their hard work, and for taking the time to talk to us about it! v

April 2020 • HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85

11

A Note to Our CNP Clients We are approaching the COVID-19 pandemic with an abundance of caution in line with the recommendations of health experts.

We ask that you arrange for someone else to collect your equipment, if you have • any flu-like symptoms such as fever and cough, or

F

ounder and CEO of Family Drug Support (FDS), Tony Trimingham OAM, who started the organisation after the death of his son Damien 23 years ago, welcomed an Australian Government funding announcement on Family Drug Support Day, on 24 February.

The government has announced it will be providing $900,000 to Family Drug Support Australia so it can continue providing a free 24hour support line for families dealing with drug issues over the next three years. This is in addition to the support for the Family Drug Support’s Bridging the Divide activities

12

• We will place equipment on a table for you to pick up: this will maintain social distancing • We will fill out the data sheet

• We recommend that you collect a month’s supply of equipment (in case of any upcoming closures or supply delays)

• recently returned from travel overseas.

• If you can ring ahead, please do so in case any further changes have taken place.

When collecting equipment, we ask that you cooperate with ‘social distancing’ recommendations:

These measures are for YOUR safety as well as ours. Please respect the CNP workers so we can keep this service going!

IFDS Day 2020

already supported by the Australian Government.

“This funding will enable FDS to recruit and train volunteers in all jurisdictions.

The national number, 1300 368 186, currently receives over 25,000 calls each year from families dealing with drug and alcohol issues, and are answered by our trained and dedicated volunteers,” Mr Trimingham explained.

The unanimity of support across political views for families dealing with drug and alcohol issues is vitally important for families.

Highlighting the important work of FDS, family member

HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85 • April 2020

Anne also welcomed the announcement and added: “Family Drug Support is more than a telephone support line. It is a community of people, many of whom have experienced what we are experiencing. FDS supports families and friends as we navigate our way through the chaos of knowing that someone we love uses drugs.”

Mr Trimingham in particular wanted to thank the many sponsors and supporters who helped mark the date and supporting families.

For more information about International Family Drug Support Day please visit internationalfdsday.fds.org.au v

Calming the C E NEED FOR • Information and support in a confidential, TH D N A 9 -1 ID V CO O T DUE friendly environment CALMING THE LL A , G N CI N TA IS D L SOCIA • Speak to others who have had SPENDED SUtreatment BEENwelcome E friends HAV SSIONS • Partners, family and C SE OTICE: UNTIL FURTHER N 7 222 Please ring 1800 43 ation for hepatitis inform

•

Hutt Street Day Centre: 258 Hutt St, Adelaide SA 5000; call Margery on 0423 782 415 to make an appointment • Information and support friendly environment • WestCare Services: 11/19 19 DVI CO TO E DU • Speak to others Millers Ct, Adelaide SA 5000;who hav R 415 FO Partners, and frien call on ED 0423 family 782 THE• NE DMargery AN , to make an appointment NG SOCIAL DISTANCI •

Now meeting at HACKNEY, ELIZABETH and PORT ADELAIDE Call Us! For information, phone 8362 8443 Free, confidential information See over for dates and support on viral hepatitis:

C

CLINIC Wonggangga L LIVERTurtpandi AL Aboriginal Primary Health SESSIONS HAVE Care Service (Pt Adelaide meeting ENDEDat HACKN SP SU st BEEN1Now CNP); Wednesday of each and PORT ADE L FURTHE month, amR , 11 UNTI9.30–11.30 ChurchNO St, For Port Adelaide SA : TICE information, phon 5015

•

•

1800 437 222

Calming

Free Fibroscan Clinics

ring See over for

e Pleas Anglicare Elizabeth Mission; 7 22 18001443 17 April, Aug, 132Nov, 9.30am –12 pmpa , 91-93 titisElizabeth he for Way Elizabeth (Bookings via mation for in reception in person, or call 8209 5400) Noarlunga GP Plus; fortnightly, Alexander Kelly Dr, Noarlunga Centre SA 5168 (Bookings via Noarlunga CNP

Changes to PBS for easier hepatitis treatment

hanges to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 April will benefit a number of community groups affected by viral hepatitis.

Firstly, younger Australians— those over 12 years of age—are now able to access direct acting anti-viral (DAA) medication to treat hepatitis C. While a relatively small percentage of the population who live with hepatitis C, these many young Australians were still understandably keen

to be cured of the virus. It is very good news that the age restriction for under-18s has now been changed.

Another change sees the removal of mandatory genotype testing. In the early days of DAA treatment, when the medications could only treat specific hepatitis C genotypes, it was important for specialists and treating GPs to know their patient’s genotype—that way they could prescribe the correct treatment. Pangenotypic DAAs (which work regardless of

genotype) have been available for some time now and the requirement for genotype testing added an unneeded extra step for people wanting to start treatment.

Finally, Nurse Practitioners (registered nurses with authority to work in an extended clinical role) can now prescribe s100 medicines for the care and management of people living with HIV and hepatitis B in the community, and also hepatitis C in corrective services settings. v

April 2020 • HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85

13

W

e’re proud of our library at Hepatitis SA: it’s a unique collection of the latest Australian and international resources, free to access online - and updated on a weekly basis.

Our collection now contains over 2000 items in different formats and languages - and you can be sure that they’re all based on reliable evidence.

In this age of ‘Dr Google’ this is more important than ever: if you find information in our library you can be assured that it has been thoroughly checked for accuracy and is from a credible source.

So whether you’re looking for reports, journal articles, books, brochures, factsheets, posters, podcasts, videos or comics: it’s all there for you – access is free, easy and confidential.

The exciting news is that we’ve been working on a new cataloguing system for a few months and we’re now up and running. The new search page gives you more options for easy searching: either just type in any words from the topic, title or author, or just pick one of the ‘Quick links’.

14

Finding Information: easier than ever ‘Browse by Topics’ for easy access

There are two lists you can browse through on the search page:

All resources These links lead to everything that we’ve collected: online publications (reports, journal articles, factsheets, websites etc) and also resources that we hold in hard copy in our library (books, games, DVDs, etc).

These resources are suitable for clients, service providers, policy makers and the general public.

Australian community resources These are shortcuts to free, online resources that are produced in Australia and are suitable for distribution and use by anyone whose life is affected by Hepatitis.

It includes books, booklets, brochures, factsheets, videos, podcasts, comics and posters—all available from the links provided.

HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85 • April 2020

Search results

The results list will give basic information about the resource – just click on the title of any interesting items and you’ll see more details including a content description, publication details, format and what languages are available.

One of the new features is the ability to refine your search via lists on the left-hand side of the page: especially useful when your search

gives you dozens of results— or more. You can choose to view certain formats… for example if you’ve searched for resources about tests and procedures – and have ended up with a list of almost 100 items - you can then choose to only view posters or factsheets or videos. You can further refine your topic by choosing those that are available in languages other than English, relevant to certain groups of people, certain modes of transmission, by certain authors etc. It’s a great tool

and easy to use.

For really serious searchers there is an advanced search option where you can add keywords, author names, series names etc., and preselect the format of the resources that you’re looking for.

So have a look and try it out.

If you have any problems get in touch with us (admin@ hepsa.asn.au) and we’ll do our best to help you find what you’re looking for. v

From ‘Little Hep B Hero’

hepatitissa.asn.au/library April 2020 • HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85

15

Youth Education

Nunga community celebration

O

n 11 March, Hepatitis SA spent the day at the Southern Region Nunga Tag Carnival at the South Adelaide Football Club (Panthers) in Noarlunga Downs. This community event celebrates cultural unity and provides positive experiences for young people.

The day commenced with the community volunteers setting up their stalls and giving an introduction to the school kids about the day. When the tag games commenced the children who weren’t playing at that time were able to walk through the stalls, talk to people, pick up goodies and do some activities. There were many stalls from different organisations, including education, health, awareness and more. A number of the stalls had different activities for the children to engage in from art and crafts to games to quizzes.

draw to win a gift card.

There was also a henna tattoo artist who attracted a lot of attention from the children. This created a great opportunity to talk to and educate the children on hepatitis C while they waited in line to get their tattoos.

We knew the day was successful when we had children who came back to receive another tattoo who were able to remember the information that they had learnt from us earlier in the day.

We want to thank Southern Region Nunga Tag for such a positive experience, and for having us be involved in the day, and we hope to be able to attend any future events. v

The Hepatitis SA stall had a short quiz about hepatitis C for the children to complete, going into a

16

HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85 • April 2020

Useful Services & Contacts Hepatitis SA Free education sessions, printed information, telephone information and support, referrals, clean needle program and library.

(08) 8362 8443 admin@hepatitissa.asn.au www.hepsa.asn.au Hepatitis SA Helpline 1800 437 222 (cost of a local call) Adelaide Dental Hospital A specially funded clinic provides priority dental care for people with hepatitis C with a Health Care Card.

Call Hepatitis SA on 1800 437 222 for a referral. beyondblue Mental health information line

Hutt St Centre Showers, laundry facilities, visiting health professionals, recreation activities, education and training, legal aid and assistance services provided to the homeless.

Nunkuwarrin Yunti An Aboriginal-controlled, citybased health service, which also runs a clean needle program.

258 Hutt St, Adelaide SA 5000 (08) 8418 2500

PEACE Multicultural Services HIV and hepatitis education and support for people from nonEnglish speaking backgrounds.

Lifeline National, 24-hour telephone counselling service.

13 11 14 (cost of a local call) www.lifeline.org.au Mental Health Crisis Service 24 hour information and crisis line available to all rural, remote and metropolitan callers.

13 14 65

1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au

MOSAIC Counselling Service For anyone whose life is affected by hepatitis and/or HIV.

Clean Needle Programs in SA For locations visit the Hepatitis SA Hackney office or call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service.

(08) 8223 4566

1300 131 340 Community Access & Services SA Alcohol and drug education; clean needle program for the Vietnamese and other communities.

(08) 8447 8821 headspace Mental health issues are common.

Find information, support and help at your local headspace centre 1800 650 890 www.headspace.org.au

(08) 8406 1600

(08) 8245 8100 Sex Industry Network Promotes the health, rights and wellbeing of sex workers.

(08) 8351 7626 SAMESH South Australia Mobilisation + Empowerment for Sexual Health www.samesh.org.au Youth Health Service Free, confidential health service for youth aged 12 to 25.

Youth Helpline: 1300 13 17 19 Parent Helpline: 1300 364 100

Viral Hepatitis Community Nurses Care and assistance, education, streamlined referrals, patient support, work-up for HCV treatment, monitoring and follow-ups. Clients can self-refer. Contact nurses directly for an appointment.

Central: Margery - 0423 782 415 margery.milner@sa.gov.au

Debbie/Rose - 0401 717 953

North: Lucy - 0401 717 971

Michelle - 0413 285 476

South: Rosalie - 0466 777 876 rosalie.altus@sa.gov.au

Jeff - 0466 777 873

Specialist Treatment Clinics Subsidised treatment for hepatitis B and C are provided by specialists at the major hospitals. You will need a referral from your GP. However, you can call the hospitals and speak to the nurses to get information about treatment and what you need for your referral.

• Flinders Medical Centre Gastroenterology & Hepatology Unit: call 8204 6324 • Queen Elizabeth Hospital: call 8222 6000 and ask to speak a viral hepatitis nurse • Royal Adelaide Hospital Viral Hepatitis Unit: call Anton on 0401 125 361 or 8222 2081 • Lyell McEwin Hospital: call Michelle on 0413 285 476 or Lucy on 0401 717 971

Free Blood Safety + Viral Hepatitis Professional Development via

Book your online education session.

All you need is internet access.

Sessions cover: ¤ Blood and bodily fluid safety ¤ An overview of hepatitis A, B and C ¤ Transmission risks/myths (including issues like needle-stick injury) ¤ Testing and treatments ¤ Best practice after blood exposure ¤ Standard precautions ¤ Stigma and discrimination ¤ Disclosure ¤ Available Services Cost: Free Duration: 1 hour How to book: Contact education@hepsa.asn.au with your preferred date/time (we will then send you instructions, and a link, to access Zoom) 2

HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 85 • April 2020