ACTION AGAINST HEPATITIS C

Background  

NHS Highland is increasing its efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat Hepatitis C infection.  An important part of this is a network of health workers, community workers, people at risk of acquiring Hep C, and people who are already infected.  This network aims to raise awareness and improve access to high quality Hep C services for all people at risk of infection.  We also want to help people use the services so that they can prevent or treat infection. 

On 19th May, World Hepatitis Day, the Scottish Government launched it’s Action Plan in a bid to raise awareness among professionals, the public and those considered most at risk of Hepatitis C. Money is being distributed through NHS Boards to improve treatment, testing, diagnostic services and care for sufferers and those at risk, as well as improving support services and raising awareness.

NHS Highland held a Planning Day - Action Against Hepatitis C - on Tuesday, 10th June 2008. This was used to set local priorities for treatment, testing, diagnosis, care and prevention. Health Professionals, other Service Providers, Voluntary Groups and members of the public attended.  A Steering Group has been established and Ron Ward has been appointed to the position of Managed Care Network Project Manager.  

Raising Awareness   You could be at risk

Due to the nature of the virus, you could be living with Hepatitis C without knowing it - symptoms don't appear for a number of years. If you think you could be at risk or just want to talk things over, in confidence, there are a number of people you can speak to:

• Mo Kerr, Liver Disease Clinical Nurse Specialist, Tel: 01463 706243 or Mobile: 07768 597030
• Agnes Boes, Health Promotion Specialist, Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, Tel: 01463 711585 or Mobile: 07816 064752
• Lisa Ross, Harm Reduction Nurse,  Tel: 01463 717594 or Mobile: 07747 015590
• Market Street Centre, Oban, Tel: 01631 703289
• Helensburgh and Lomond Addiction Services, Tel: 01436 655 053

If you would rather you can email Mo, our Liver Disease Clinical Nurse Specialist, confidentially on mo.kerr@nhs.net

We want to hear from you

Through the Managed Care Network, NHS Highland and our partners will be working together to ensure easy and appropriate access to high quality Hep C services for all people at risk of infection, as well as ensuring the patient's experience of using services is a positive one.  

Below you will find a link to a short questionnaire which has been developed to help gather information on the services you have used, what your experience was of these, what improvements we could make and how we go about continuing to raise awareness and address the stigma often associated with Hepatitis C.  It would be greatly appreciated if you could take some time to complete and return this - full details of how to do this can be found at the end of the questionnaire. 

Patient Expereince Questionnaire

Useful Links

Scottish Drugs Forum 

Scottish Drugs Forum is the national, voluntary sector and membership-based drugs policy and information agency working in partnership to reduce drugs harm in Scotland through:

• Improving awareness and understanding of drugs use issues among all sections of the community
• Developing, promoting, influencing and supporting improvements to the range and quality of services to all drug users

Terrence Higgins Trust

• The Terrence Higgins Trust provide sexual health promotion and clinical services for anyone but have a particular focus on sexual diversity

Hepatitis C Trust

• A major resource for Information on Hepatitis C. Provides practical support and advice to people living with Hepatitis C. Also maintains a list of local support groups.

NHS Choices

• Hep C can be transmitted in a number of ways.  Take their short test to see if you are at risk.

• This website provides the latest guidance for healthcare professionals and for patients, carers and others who want to know more about Hepatitis C. It also explains the Scottish Government's Hepatitis C Action Plan for Scotland

Highland Drug & Alcohol Action Team

• A list of useful websites.

Health Scotland

• Information and resources to support health improvement practitioners and organisations working with us to improve Scotland's health and reduce inequalities.

Health Information Plus

• A one-stop-shop for quality assured general health information for patients, their families and carers, and interested members of the public. The information includes: Patient leaflets, medicines information, and support groups; Information about benefits, health and social services; Learning resources to build confidence in managing your health; Treatment guidelines, evidence and research for those who want more in-depth information.