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Hepatitis C

Work in progress for improving hepatitis treatment services in New Zealand.

Latest updates

March 2011

1. HealthLink Limited will undertake the development and deployment of a nationally standardised Hepatitis C electronic referral form, for the purpose of achieving consistency in the referral process of individuals with suspected or confirmed HCV from primary care to secondary care. The e-referral form will be rolled out to DHBs over the next 12 months.

2. The Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand will be undertaking the following over the next 12 months:

  1. Establishing the current status of Hepatitis C (HCV) service delivery and will include assessing the differing status, issues, service delivery models and needs for individuals with HCV within DHBs and regions. The findings will contribute to strategies and / or recommendations for the implementation of key interventions.
  2. Shared Care Tool. Shared care between primary care and specialist services for these groups of patients will manage and, if possible, avert any downstream complications.
  3. Fibro scanning. Equitable access to fibro scanning technology will allow all patients with HCV to have access to this technology in order to assess the stage of liver damage. Assessment of liver damage is usually required before patient treatment plans are commenced.
  4. The development of education / information resources for specific sub-population ‘risk’ groups. These resources will support better detection and treatment of infected individuals from these groups.
  5. Research and provide an implementation plan for a potential three-year programme to promote the targeted testing of specific ‘at risk’ groups to improve early HCV diagnosis rates and treatment options for these individuals. Development of a plan for targeted testing will enable implementation of more effective detection and treatment of at-risk groups.
  6. Undertake research and development of innovative HCV service delivery model(s) for New Zealand. Time-limited pilot projects with appropriate evaluation will improve future access to and quality of HCV treatment services.
  7. An assessment of the current status of HCV Service delivery in New Zealand. Establishing the current status of Hepatitis C (HCV) service delivery will act as a primary tool for the accurate assessment and design of new interventions, and will include: assessing the differing status, issues, service delivery models and needs for individuals with HCV within DHBs and regions. The findings will contribute to strategies and / or recommendations for the implementation of key interventions.

Jan 2011: Hepatitis C e-learning tool
The Ministry has launched an e-learning tool for general practitioners and nurses.

9 Jun 2010: Women at Risk of Hep C Contacted
Calls for women at risk of hepatitis C following treatment at a private medical clinic in Australia have prompted a positive response.

4 Jun 2010: Update on efforts to contact 55 women at risk of Hepatitis C
New Zealand and Australian health authorities are working closely to contact 55 New Zealand women who may be at risk of having contracted Hepatitis C after having visited Croydon Day Surgery in Melbourne between 1 January 2006 and 7 December 2009.

2 Jun 2010: 55 women at risk of Hep C being traced
New Zealand and Australian health authorities are tracing 55 New Zealand women who visited a private medical clinic in Australia between 1 January 2006 and 7 December 2009 who may be at risk of having contracted Hepatitis C.

More information

Publications

Hepatitis A B C
Advice on symptoms, treatment and prevention for hepatitis A, B and C, and general hygiene practices to help prevent spread of these diseases.

Action on Hepatitis C Prevention [Find it in the Ministry's Library Catalogue]
This action plan identifies priority areas for action at a national, regional and local level by government agencies, and in a local area by District Health Boards, service providers and others.

An Integrated Approach to Infectious Disease: Priorities for Action 2002–2006 [Find it in the Ministry's Library Catalogue]
The Integrated Approach to Infectious Disease (IAID) complements and reinforces a number of other key goals and objectives in the New Zealand Health Strategy, including improving physical health, providing accessible and appropriate health care services, creating a healthy physical environment, and reducing inequalities in health status.

Related websites

Page last updated: 24 March 2011