Australian news

Staff changes at Hepatitis NSW

New South Wales – We say goodbye and heartfelt thanks to Damian Young (Organisational Services Officer), Stephen Scott (Coordinator Client Services), Althea Mackenzie (Coordinator Education and Development) and Kerry Walker (Project Officer Aboriginal Projects) see page 41. We warmly welcome David Pieper (Coordinator C-Me Community Advocacy Project). Katia Chehade (Organisational Services Officer) and Kirsty Fanton (Project Officer Client Services). See page 44. At time of going to print, we welcome Rob Wisniewski to the newly created position of Programs Coordinator, a merging of our Client Services Coordinator and Education & Development Coordinator positions. • Hepatitis NSW

C Me, Hear Me DVD resource

Australia – This DVD has been produced by the NSW Workforce Development Program; a part of ASHM (Australasian Society for HIV Medicine) for the community and health workforces. The stories on the DVD can be used to become familiar with what it is like to live with hep C. It is hoped the personal stories will increase awareness and understanding of hep C, dealing with symptoms, considering and managing treatment, stigma and discrimination. All segments can be viewed free online at http://tinyurl.com/866ltvl Hard copies of this 50 minute DVD cost $60, or are free if you are based in NSW. Visit http:// tinyurl.com/72ro9je to purchase hard copies. • Abridged from www.ashm.org.au

Triple treatment Medicare listing update

Australia – Both telaprevir and boceprevir have now been approved for use in Australia but have yet to be recommended for Medicare-subsidy by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. If this recommendation is made, it will then be considered by the Federal Cabinet (a grouping of senior ministers who form the highest level of federal government decision making). Hepatitis NSW is hoping for fast-track Medicare listing by December 2012 and we’ll be working with the community via the C-me project to engage support for cabinet approval. • Hepatitis NSW

ASHM hep B nursing course gets a re-run

Australia – With over 100 nurses on the waiting list for the first ASHM/AHA (Australasian Society for HIV Medicine & Australasian Hepatology Association) Hepatitis B Nursing: Advanced Nursing Management and Care course, it was no surprise all places were gone within 48 hours of registration opening. ASHM now has funding to run the course twice more this year. To add your name to the waiting list, contact Emily Wheeler on 03 9341 5244. • Abridged from BBV News (5 April 2012).

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Multicultural hepatitis website

Australia – The Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS) website is now home to more than 1,000 pages of HIV and hep C information, in plain-English and more than 20 community languages. Multilingual info on chronic hep B will soon be added to the website. Check it out by visiting www.multiculturalhivhepc.net.au • Abridged from ASHM email alert (20 April 2012)

Hepatitis Victoria and TasCHARD farewells

Australia – Hepatitis NSW pays tribute to Helen McNeill, CEO of Hepatitis Victoria who has moved on to head up Cystic Fibrosis Victoria. Helen played a key leadership role for years with both Hepatitis Victoria and nationally. We also say farewell to Keven Marriot who has played a leading role as head of the TasCHARD – the Tasmanian hepatitis peak body. • Hepatitis NSW

Report of the National Hepatitis C Treatment Forum

Australia – In March 2012, Hepatitis Australia brought together community representatives, NGO partners, GPs, hepatology and infectious disease specialists and nurses, researchers and government representatives in a national forum. The forum participants discussed the evolution of hep C treatment in Australia and how Australia can best respond to ensure that, as a country, we reap the full benefits of the advances in treatment for the more than 220,000 people currently living with chronic hep C in Australia. The report from the forum can be accessed by visiting http://tinyurl.com/6wv2uan • Abridged from www.hepatitisaustralia.com

Hep B help website

Australia – “Hep B help” is a website set up by the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) to assist GPs diagnosing and managing patients with hep B. It includes a clinic finder to assist GPs and patients to link with hep B treatment services around Australia. Check it out here: http://www.hepbhelp.org.au/ • Abridged from BBV News (5 April 2012).

Featured resource:

The Big Combo DVD

The Big Combo is an engaging doco-drama which personalises hep C treatment. Anywhere a DVD can be played has just become an outlet for hep C treatment related information and support.

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Improving access for marginalised populations

Australia – In a recent article from Australian Family Physician, Dr Craig Rodgers makes recommendations to fellow GPs about how to improve access to disadvantaged people in their communities, including at risk young people, sex workers and people who inject. Check out the article by visiting http://tinyurl. com/7dkefan • Abridged from BBV News (26 April 2012).

AIVL policy update on hep C

Australia – With recent developments in hep C vaccines and emerging treatments, AIVL (Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League) has prepared a policy update focussing on varied topics related to hep C. The articles within this update cover: spontaneous clearance of hep C, factors associated with uptake of treatment (the ATAHC study, see page 8), vaccine preparedness, insight into hep C vaccine development and future hep C treatments. Check it out by visiting: http://tinyurl.com/6rx576j • Abridged from BBV News (26 April 2012).

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Hep C stigma in healthcare settings report

Australia – Stigma and discrimination towards people with hep C has been associated with negative health outcomes for affected populations both within Australia and internationally. While policies, legislation and guidelines have been developed at State and Federal level to protect people living with hep C, evidence suggests that these people continue to report stigma and discrimination within health care settings. The NSW Ministry of Health funded ASHM and the National Centre for HIV Social Research to undertake a study to describe the current experiences of stigma and discrimination within health care settings for people living with HIV and/or hep C. The report also makes recommendations to address these issues. Hepatitis NSW applauds the NSW Ministry of Health for funding this valuable study. • Read the full report by visiting http://tinyurl. com/6nqo62f

St Vincent’s viral hepatitis clinic

St Vincent’s Hospital Viral Hepatitis Clinic, Darlinghurst, offers treatment for hepatitis. Featuring a fibroscan machine, the clinic offers a multifaceted approach to your liver care and viral hep treatment. • For further information, please contact Rebecca

Hickey: ph 8382 3825 or rhickey@stvincents.com. au or Fiona Peet: ph 8382 2925 or fpeet@stvincents. com.au

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