Australasian Viral Hepatitis Elimination Conference Community

A report back on Kate Allardice's session Jack of All Trades – a nursing experience of Hep C treatment outreach work in the TAP study. 

As nurses working with vulnerable and difficult to engage communities, we are constantly looking for new ways to become a Jack of all trades. Kate and her team’s innovative program is an exemplary example of how we can create new models of care & remove barriers.

Kate and her team had the innovative idea of setting up a van that is equipped to perform hepatitis C screening, treatment, follow up and monitoring. This allowed them to access those vulnerable people on the streets who were difficult to engage in mainstream health services, particularly IVDUs. By meeting client’s on their terms and in a place that is familiar and comfortable to them, the team were able to remove a significant barrier to care.

A report back on Rebecca Brereton and Bradley Whitto's session Integrating hepatitis C care within community health and addiction services. 

Rebecca and Brad provided an insight into what services they provide at the Alfred Hospital for the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, from m the point of view of a Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Consultant working with people who have hepatitis C, drug addiction issues and/or diagnosed with a mental health disorder. The aim of the service is to provide a nurse-led model of care, to educate people with hepatitis C, on the new treatment regime, allowing them to feel included and not excluded, due to their mental health and lifestyle choices.  The idea is to minimize the barriers of treatment by allowing everyone who has hepatitis C, no matter what their status is, in having access to affordable accessible treatment and being cured.