Press Release
07 November 2024
Changes to HepatitisWA Leadership
After six years of productive collaboration, the HepatitisWA Board and Chief Executive Officer, Brent Bell, have mutually agreed to part ways.
Matthew Armstrong, Community Services Manager, will act as Interim Chief Executive Officer while an external recruitment process is conducted.
HepatitisWA remains committed to providing services and empowering those affected by and living with viral hepatitis.
All enquiries regarding HepatitisWA operations can be directed to Matthew via ceo@hepatitiswa.com.au.
Needle and Syringe Programs Needed in Prisons 17 SEP, 2024
At HepatitisWA, we strongly advocate for the introduction of needle and syringe programs (NSPs) in Australian prisons as a crucial step in preventing the transmission of blood-borne viruses (BBVs), including hepatitis C. Despite Australia’s commitment to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules), which state that prisoners should have access to the same health care as the general community, this standard is not being met when it comes to harm reduction in prisons.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) highlights the rising rates of hepatitis C infections in prisons, largely driven by unsafe injecting practices. Around 1 in 7 prisoners report injecting drugs while incarcerated, often using makeshift and reused equipment in non-sterile environments, which exacerbates the risk of infection. This is especially concerning for young people, men, and First Nations Australians, who are disproportionately affected.
Without NSPs, prisoners face high rates of reinfection even after successful hepatitis C treatment. Studies, including the SToP-C study (Hajarizadeh et al., 2024), demonstrate that prison-based NSPs are effective in reducing BBV transmission and improving public health outcomes. Current efforts are not enough, and Australia’s progress toward BBV elimination is being undermined by the lack of harm reduction programs in prisons.
International research shows that NSPs reduce risk behaviors, improve health outcomes, and even contribute to safer prison environments (Dolan et al., 2003; Moazen et al., 2020). HepatitisWA joins health professionals across the country in calling on Australian governments to implement NSPs in prisons to address the significant health risks posed by unsafe injecting practices.
References:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) The health of people in Australia's prisons 2022, AIHW, Australian Government.
McCall-Smith, K. (2016). United Nations standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules).
Winter et al. (2023). Consensus recommendations on the management of hepatitis C in Australia's prisons.
Merone et al. (2022). A complex increase in hepatitis C virus in a correctional facility.
Hajarizadeh et al. (2024). Incidence of hepatitis C virus infection in the prison setting: The SToP‐C study.
Moazen et al. (2020). Availability, accessibility, and coverage of needle and syringe programs in prisons in the European Union.
Dolan et al. (2003). Prison-based syringe exchange programmes: A review of international research and development.
Naloxone saves lives
Recent overdose deaths raise fears for people in prison – naloxone must be made available to save lives.
Click here to read the media statement
What is naloxone?
Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It is an antagonist. This means that it attaches to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose.
How is naloxone given?
Naloxone should be given to any person who shows signs of an opioid overdose or when an overdose is suspected. Naloxone can be given as a spray or it can be injected into the muscle, under the skin, or in the veins.
World Hepatitis Day 2024
The aim for World Hepatitis Day 2024 in Australia is to mobilise action on the elimination of viral hepatitis in Australia supported by national coordination.
The global theme for World Hepatitis Day 2024 is "It's time for action.”
Download the 2024 factsheet here
Hepatitis C Testing
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Results in 1 hour
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Hepatitis C Testing • Results in 1 hour •
The Deen Clinic now offers point of care (finger-prick) testing for Hepatitis C.
It is quick, easy and accurate.
Just walk in, no appointments needed.
Upcoming ASHM Viral Hepatitis Training
Download the ASHM upcoming viral hepatitis flyers below
The Deen Clinic is Proudly AGPAL Accredited
The Deen Clinic general practice is AGPAL accredited – what does this mean?
Being accredited means that our general practice is committed to a comprehensive program that involves:
• Engaging our whole practice team to review our practice’s systems and processes
• Opening our practice doors to allow a team of independent surveyors to assess how our practice operates
• Assessment of our practice, and achievement of the nationally recognised Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
Standards for general practices, that focus on health care quality and patient safety. As a member of the community, you may be surprised to learn that general practice accreditation is a voluntary process – which means not all practices undergo an independent on-site assessment on a regular basis.
Achievement of AGPAL accreditation reassures you that our doctors and practice team are committed to providing you with high quality health care in a safe environment.
Next time you visit our practice be sure to look out for the AGPAL Accredited General Practice Symbol (to the right) or our accreditation certificate.
Our practice team is proud of this achievement and as part of this process, we continuously strive to make quality improvements to better your patient experience. Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL) is a not-for-profit independent provider of general practice accreditation in Australia.
To learn more about the benefits of accreditation to you, your family, and the Australian community visit www.agpal.com.au.
What is Hepatitis?
The word hepatitis simply means inflammation (titis) of the liver (hepat). Hepatitis can be caused by viruses, harmful consumption of alcohol, drugs, medications, contact with some chemical and toxins, and some autoimmune conditions. The inflammation in the liver is your body’s natural reaction to the damage being caused by these conditions and toxins.
Motivate C Project
New research project offering cash rewards to people commencing Hepatitis C treatment
Most people with hepatitis C can be cured with as little as 8 weeks of treatment. Despite this, many Australians with hepatitis C are yet to undertake the treatment and be cured. The Motivate C project is studying whether the offer of a cash incentive will encourage people to take up hepatitis C treatment in primary care and is looking for people living with hepatitis C to take part.
The University of Sydney is leading this national project in collaboration with researchers, healthcare providers and GP experts within the hepatitis C field. Funding for the project is provided by the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund. The Motivate C study is approved by the Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee (2022/ETH01681) and is now recruiting participants from May 2023.
Adults with hepatitis C and who haven’t received hep C treatment in the past 6 months can take part in the project.Participants self-register for this study and will be connected with a treatment navigator, to guide them through all study procedures. The project will provide all participants with a compensation payment for their time. Additionally, participants may be randomly assigned to receive a reward payment for commencing hepatitis c therapy.
GPs are critical to the success of the Motivate C project. They can help by identifying eligible participants and letting them know about the project. For more information, please see https://motivatec-project.sydney.edu.au/
Hepatitis Australia Launches New National Hepatitis Infoline
The National Hepatitis Infoline (1800 437 222 / 1800 HEP ABC) is a collaboration between Hepatitis Australia and it's members, the State and Territory Hepatitis Organisaitons, including HepatitisWA.
The infoline provides confidential and free information on hepatitis B and hepatitis C and allows people to speak with someone from their state who can provide brief interventions, peer support, referral and linkage to services in their area, and individual advocacy.
Find out more about The National Hepatitis Infoline
Upcoming ASHM Hep B Training
Practical Updates in HCV Management and Treatment
Download Course Flyer
Register for the Training
Upcoming CDCD & RACGP Training
WA Syphilis Outbreak - Updates for Clinicians
Download Flyer
Zoom Registration Link
Personal stories of hepatitis C treatment and cure
HepatitisWA would like to introduce you to this excellent new hep C initiative,
“Vital voices: Personal stories of treatment for hepatitis C.”
This website has two aims. First, it aims to support people living with hepatitis C in thinking about and/or having treatment. Second, it aims to inform the public about hepatitis C and what can be done about it.