Media release from the Hepatitis Foundation

People in the Wairarapa and greater Wellington regions will have better access to testing, assessment and treatment for hepatitis C thanks to a two‐year pilot programme being rolled out in the sub‐region.

Capital and Coast, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa DHBs are working with The Hepatitis Foundation (NZ) and community‐based health providers to improve access to support services for patients living with chronic hepatitis C and encourage people that may be at risk to get tested. Preparations are underway to launch the pilot at Capital and Coast, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa DHBs in early 2013.

According to the Foundation there are an estimated 5,800 people living with hepatitis C across the sub‐region. Chronic hepatitis C is the main cause of liver transplants in New Zealand and if left untreated can have serious health effects.

"This programme will be a terrific help to identify people that need treatment and offer them ongoing support," said Dr Richard Stein, supervising clinician for the Wairarapa pilot. "We have around 50 patients we hope to enrol in the Wairarapa and combined with the Hutt Valley and Wellington pilots will mean better service coverage and better outcomes for our populations," he said.

During the first stage of the pilot, people already diagnosed with hepatitis C will be enrolled into a Community Assessment and Support Programme. Patients' care is centrally managed by a community hepatitis nurse who is supported by a range of specialists including hospital staff, GPs and other community‐based health providers.

Patients will have improved access to services, including FibroScan. This ultrasound technique measures the amount of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the liver, which helps measure the progression of the disease. Patients will also receive ongoing follow‐up care which is important for managing their condition. During the second stage of the pilot, people will be encouraged to get tested if they are, or have been at risk of hepatitis C.

Those at risk of hepatitis C are people who have ever: injected drugs; received a blood transfusion before 1992; lived or received medical attention in high‐risk countries; been in prison; or used unsterile equipment for tattooing or body piercing. Children born to mothers with hepatitis C are also at risk.

Dr Nigel Stace, Wellington Hospital Gastroenterologist says, "the key to this pilot is to encourage and support people to come forward early to be tested and treated. It's easier to treat the disease in its early stages and there is a much better chance of a cure when patients complete their treatment."

"Before Fibroscan was available, patients had a biopsy and spent up to a day in hospital after the procedure to make sure they were fit to go home," says Dr Stace. "Results also took several days to come back from the lab. Now testing takes around 20 minutes and doesn't involve needles which can discourage people from being tested."

"The gastroenterology services at the three DHBs are looking for opportunities to work more closely together. We see the pilot as a great opportunity to get this started," says Dr Stace.

Gastroenterology involves providing care for people with diseases of the 'gut', liver and pancreas.

Dr Jeff Wong, Hutt Hospital gastroenterology specialist says, "we are delighted to participate in the Foundation's Hepatitis C Pilot Programme. We hope it will increase the number of people completing treatment and with the treatment currently available, two thirds of patients can be cured," he said.