The Newsletter of Hepatitis Victoria
December 2013
Good Liver Hepatitis doesn’t discriminate, neither do we and neither should anyone else.
Health literacy in a culturally and linguistically diverse society Shinen Wong, Health Promotion Officer at Hepatitis Victoria, discusses what needs to be done to ensure full equity in accessing health care for all groups.
Hepatitis Heroes The anti-discrimination campaign begins. Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Ms Crozier launched our online campaign and invited the public to make the pledge: Hepatitis doesn’t discriminate and neither do I.
Discrimination and health care Leah Higgins, Integrated Hepatitis C Nurse Consultant, is interviewed by Marg Sutherland, Health Promotions Officer at 1 Hepatitis Victoria.
Staff
Contents
Contact and postal address:
Melanie Eagle
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Communiqué
Hepatitis Victoria
CEO Telephone: 9385 9102 melanie@hepvic.org.au
From the desk of the Chief Executive Officer.
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In the news
7 7 8
Lou Reed’s death
Suite 5, 200 Sydney Road, Brunswick, Victoria. 3056 Telephone: (03) 9380 4644 Facsimile: (03) 9380 4688 Email: admin@hepvic.org.au Website: www.hepvic.org.au
HepatitisInfoline
1800 703 003
Garry Irving Programs and Operations Manager Telephone: 9385 9109 garryi@hepvic.org.au Lisa Nulty Office Coodinator Telephone: 9380 4644 admin@hepvic.org.au Judi Brewster Health Promotion Officer Telephone: 9385 9111 Judi@hepvic.org.au Kristy Garner Development Coordinator Telephone: 9385 9105 kristy@hepvic.org.au Marg Sutherland Health Promotion Officer Telephone: 9385 9103 marg@hepvic.org.au Melissa Wright Health Promotion Officer Telephone: 9385 9104 melissa@hepvic.org.au Garry Sattell Community Support Services Coordinator Telephone: 9385 9110 garry@hepvic.org.au
Summer edition Good Liver is produced by Hepatitis Victoria, with support from the Victorian Government. The opinions and language expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Hepatitis Victoria or the Department of Health. Images are used for illustrative purposes only and have no connection to hepatitis.
Reader response Your comments or experiences in regard to any articles in the Good Liver are welcome. Call, write or email: alicia@hepvic.org.au
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Shinen Wong Health Promotion Officer Telephone: 9385 9108 Shinen@hepvic.org.au Jane Little Hepatitis Champions Project Officer Telephone: 9380 4644 Jane@hepvic.org.au
From the desk of the Chief Executive Officer
were nominated for the Minister for Health’s Volunteer Awards and the Victorian Disability Sector Awards. During the event we also asked people to share with us their wishes for the future. A video of what they told us is available from www.youtube.com/hepatitisvic.
Moving In – New staff
Engaging young people: Street Shot
Hepatitis Heroes
Street Shot is Hepatitis Victoria’s annual
Anti-discrimination campaign began
hepatitis C photography project and is in its
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Personal stories
Meet our two Hepatitis Heroes
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Health literacy in a culturally and liguistically diverse society
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Discrimination and health care
An interview
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The right to health care on the Inside
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Hepatitis C – a new report
Understanding care and stigma from a social perspective
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Noticeboard and Fred Negro cartoon 20 Liver clinics list
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Contacts
Alicia Lowndes Marketing, Communications and Online Services Coordinator Telephone: 9385 9107 alicia@hepvic.org.au Claire Ferrier Community Participation Officer Telephone: 9385 9106 claire@hepvic.org.au
Communique
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/hepvic
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
www.twitter.com/hepvic
fourth successive year. This year we varied the program it to ensure greater involvement from the affected community by including
A YEAR IN REVIEW:
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE
2013 marked the 21st year of operation for Hepatitis Victoria. To celebrate the occasion many of our programs and activities focused on supporting and acknowledging the people who have helped get us here and those who will take us forward. Many people have overcome stigma and discrimination and come forward to share their stories. Some of
them as part of the education sessions and judging panel. We found that the young people related better and were more engaged this year as a result. This year we had our highest number of entries, with over 170 images from 17 schools. Entries can still be viewed on our Facebook page: www. facebook.com/hepvic
World Hepatitis Day: Sharing of personal experience One of Hepatitis Victoria’s aims for World
the year’s highlights include:
Hepatitis Day this year was to reduce stigma
New 21st anniversary logo
and discrimination. Hepatitis Victoria believes
The first activity we undertook to mark our 21st year was a new logo and tagline. We decided to build on the World Hepatitis Day slogan “this is hepatitis” and took it one step further – “WE ARE Hepatitis Victoria”. We felt this created a sense of pride, ownership and community spirit. We added a tagline to acknowledge our history but also our path ahead: Celebrating 21 Years – Our Past, Our People, Our Future. This new branding has been used in a variety of contexts including a new webpage dedicated to our 21st. The page features an interactive tour of our history, personal stories and videos. Visit www.hepvic.org.au/21years
Volunteer involvement A highlight this year was our Cheers Volunteers event held during National Volunteers Week in May to thank our supporters. The event also congratulated two Hepatitis Victoria staff members who
that a constructive way to start talking about this is to hear from people personally affected. On Friday 26th July, a panel of five speakers living with hepatitis B or C shared their stories with an audience of partner organisation representatives, the affected community and key stakeholders. A powerful and moving discussion followed
Public Speakers Bureau: Training and learning from other states Hepatitis Victoria has recently established our first Public Speakers Bureau. The aim of the Bureau is to empower individuals living with viral hepatitis, along with affected others, to educate the community through speaking engagements about their own experiences. Speakers undergo intensive training that allows them to feel confident telling their story and responding to audience enquiries. We already have over ten people trained, some of whom have experience with hepatitis C and some with hepatitis B. These trained speakers have already been invited to speak at a variety of events and training sessions such as the HIV and Hepatitis C pre and post testing counselling course and the National Hepatitis Conference. Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a Public Speaker or having a Public Speaker present at your event.
21st Birthday HEP HEROES celebration! The year came to a tremendous finale when we held our 21st birthday celebration at Federation Square, and launched our Hep Heroes campaign with our first 21 heroes profiled on our new website and mixing with the crowds. More information on this is contained in the pages that follow, and can be viewed in action on our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/hepatitisvic
“Five years ago, we wouldn’t have had anyone confident enough to share their story publicly, so we have come a long way”
The goal of this campaign, which you can still pledge your support for, is to show the people behind the virus in order to provide a positive lived experience and reduce stigma. A confronting aspect has been to become aware of the reluctance of people to overtly associate themselves with hepatitis due to fear of peoples’ responses. On the flip side it has been inspiring to join with so many brave and inspiring people who have gone public and spread the word. These people – our heroes – are the ones who keep us motivated
Garry Sattell
and enthused.
over afternoon tea with some people disclosing their status publicly for the first time. Some in the audience were even inspired enough to sign up to become positive speakers themselves.
Community Services Coordinator
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In the news Excerpts from recently released reports
New figures confirm 2 in 100 Australians living with chronic viral hepatitis The release of the Kirby Institute’s 2013 Annual Surveillance Report has confirmed that almost 2% of the total Australian population is currently living with chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C). The Report, which focuses on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually
Transmissible Infections in Australia, estimates that 230,000 people in Australia are living with hepatitis C and 207,000 are living with hepatitis B, together this represents almost 2% of the population. “The number of people affected by chronic hepatitis continues to increase, as do the health challenges they face, including an increase in the number of people requiring liver transplants as a result of hepatitis,” Hepatitis Victoria’s CEO, Ms Melanie Eagle, said.
“Hepatitis C is not only a liver disease and a cause of cirrhosis, but also a mental, psychological, familiar, and social disease. The stigma that the infected person sometimes carries is tremendous having multiple consequences. The main cause is lack of adequate information, even in the health profession setting. But, besides the “drama” of being infected, health professionals, family, society and the infected patients, must be aware of the chance of real cure and total and definitive
Participants believed stigmatising and discriminatory attitudes
elimination of the virus.”
The concerns raised by the market research prompted AIVL to
Source: Hepatitis C, stigma and cure, Rui Tato Marinho and David Pires Barreira, World J Gastroenterol 2013. October 28; 19(40): 6703-6709
Report on stigma and discrimination towards people who inject drugs
and actions would discourage people from taking up the practice of injecting drug use. These views were widely and strongly held, despite the wealth of research evidence highlighting the extremely harmful effects of stigma and discrimination on people who inject drugs and the lack of evidence to support discrimination as an effective deterrent to illicit drug use.
seek further resources and explore a range of questions from the perspective of people who inject drugs. In particular, AVIl sought to explore how current attitudes towards our community have developed over time and left people who use drugs in a situation where their lives are viewed to have no value. A full copy of the report is available from: www.aivl.org.au
The 2013 Surveillance Report shows that in 2012 there were 2,234
diagnosed.
Chronic hepatitis B and C: exploring perceived stigma, disease information, and health-related quality of life
Comparatively there were 314 new cases of HIV in Victoria and a
Abstract:
notifications for hepatitis C in Victoria and 1,907 cases of hepatitis B. Nationally 10,114 hepatitis C and 6,702 hepatitis B cases were
total of 1,253 Australian wide in the same year. This means there are
Research indicates that chronic hepatitis C affects people’s quality
approximately ten times the number of new cases of people with viral hepatitis as there are with HIV.
of life, but such reports are scarce about hepatitis B. This Australian
Of great concern was the data showing an increase in liver disease
received information and care were related to health-related quality
study explored whether perceived stigma and satisfaction with
and a decrease in people accessing treatment. Treatment rates
of life in people with chronic hepatitis B or C.
remain low, estimated at less than 2% of the affected hepatitis C
A questionnaire was constructed comprising demographic questions
population.
and existing scales to measure the variables. The 77 participants
The Kirby Institute Annual Surveillance Report 2013 can be found
were recruited through various online channels. The median age was
here: www.kirby.unsw.edu.au/news/sexually-transmissible-and-
48 years, 74% had hepatitis C, 60% were female, and 73%
blood-borne-infections-australia-2013-surveillance-reports
Hepatitis C, stigma and cure: Research article Released in October 2013, the Hepatitis C, Stigma and Cure article explores the social stigma often associated with hepatitis C along
were Caucasian. Participants with Hepatitis B reported substantially less perceived In 2009 the Australian Injecting And Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) received funding to commission market research to determine the
stigma than those with Hepatitis C, but there was no significant difference between the two groups in health-related quality of life.
feasibility of developing a national campaign to redress the stigma
Participants with Hepatitis C reported higher satisfaction with
and discrimination faced by people who inject drugs.
received information.
The primary objectives were to learn more about the perceptions
Hepatitis B patients may require other improvements in service
of the general community–and some subsections of it, such as the
delivery such as the provision of more culturally appropriate
medical profession—towards our community.
information and education about chronic hepatitis B.
The research was used to publish a report “Why Wouldn’t I
You can request a full copy of the research from James Cook
debilitating. This is often due to the associated drug use linked to the
Discriminate Against Them All”, which was published in 2010.
University: www.eprints.jcu.edu.au
virus.
One of the most important findings from the research was that
Source: Drazic, Yvonne Nelly, and Caltabiano, Marie Louise (2013)
The article notes that the psychological distress caused by living with
the focus group participants—particularly the members of the
a stigmatised disease can impact a person’s decision to get tested
general public—saw this stigma and discrimination as ‘good’
and treated.
for the community.
Chronic hepatitis B and C: exploring perceived stigma, disease information, and health-related quality of life. Nursing and Health Sciences, 15 (2). pp. 172-178.
with the consequences of living with a chronic infection and the new drugs available for treatment. The article was published in the World J Gastroenterol and featured in the Hepatitis C News Drugs blog. As many people experience, being diagnosed with hepatitis C is overwhelming and the negative stigma associated with the disease is
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Hepatitis B Mapping Project – Report Released On 14-15 of November 2013 at the Hepatitis Australia Health Promotions Conference, Dr. Jennifer MacLachlan from VIDL officially launched the Hepatitis B Mapping Project Report. The report features estimates of chronic hepatitis B prevalence and cultural and linguistic diversity by Medicare Local. The report reveals that 15 of Australia’s 61 Medicare Locals are home to more than half of the all the people living with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) nationwide and five inner city Medicare Locals alone are estimated to be home to one quarter of all Australian’s living with CHB. Around 218,000 people were estimated to be living with CHB in Australia in 2011, approximately 1.0% of the population. In Australia, people born overseas (particularly from Asia, the Pacific and Africa) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately affected by CHB. Due to these epidemiological determinants, CHB is not evenly distributed geographically in Australia, with wide variation by local government area. The Hepatitis B Mapping Project is a joint initiative of ASHM and VIDRL, funded by the Australian Department of Health. The project will produce a comprehensive understanding of chronic hepatitis B in Australia using data that will help to inform awareness and intervention campaigns to suit the particular local needs of people living with CHB and those providing services to them. The report can be downloaded from: www.ashm.org.au
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In the news
Outstanding Volunteer Award – Graeme Ashton At the Health Promotion Conference in Sydney held recently by Hepatitis Australia, the award for most outstanding volunteer contribution was awarded to Hepatitis Victoria’s volunteer Graeme Ashton. Graeme has been a support group member and also a regular volunteer at Hepatitis Victoria for quite some time - be it filling or ordering resources; putting together storage cabinets or working on the database.
Catina Eyres, Hepatitis Victoria Board Member, accepting award.
Hepatitis Victoria News HEPATITIS VICTORIA AWARDS Over the past few months Hepatitis Victoria has been associated with a further two awards, in addition to the Creative Partnership Award received for the Body Armour Play in September 2013.
Graeme is also involved in our events and recently has become a trained Public Speaker and Hep Connect volunteer, where he answers InfoLine calls to provide advice and support for people thinking about or going through treatment. During these calls Graeme provides comfort and reassurance, along with his own real life experience.
Lou Reed death
Moving in
Call for more awareness
New staff for Hepatitis Victoria
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n October 2013, the death of Lou Reed (front man for the Velvet Underground and rock ‘n’ roll icon) from liver cancer made headlines
around the world.In a moving tribute featured in the November edition of Rolling Stone magazine, his partner Laurie Anderson shared their story and the challenges of living with hepatitis C. The article and the need to raise more awareness were further explored by Professor Gregory Dore, which is summarised below. “He was sick for the last couple of years, first from treatments of interferon, a vile but sometimes effective series of injections that treats hepatitis C and comes with lots of nasty side effects. Last spring, at the last minute, he received a liver transplant, which seemed to work perfectly, and he almost instantly regained his health and energy. Then that, too, began to fail, and there was no way out.” Laurie Anderson, writing about Lou Reed in Rolling Stone Ms Anderson, partner of Lou Reed,
Graeme’s tireless commitment to Hepatitis Victoria is extremely
revealed that one of the greatest
valued and we congratulate him on his award.
challenges faced by people living with hepatitis C, their partners and
Australian Tattoo and Body Art Expo
Country Awareness Network’s (CAN) Community Sector Partner Award
families, is discussing the illness
Over three exciting days, Hepatitis
openly.
Victoria were thrilled to be invited
Professor Gore went onto write
to host a stall at this year’s Australian Tattoo and
away from his own personal history
be awarded the Country Awareness Network’s (CAN) Community
Body Art Expo held at the
and associated drug use, for most
Sector Partner Award.
Convention Centre.
people with hepatitis C there is no
The Community Partnership Awards acknowledges organisations,
The Expo is the largest of its kind
fame or fortune to dilute fears of
in the southern hemisphere and
being harshly judged.
informing, educating, supporting and empowering rural and regional communities. Hepatitis Victoria was presented with the Community Sector Partner Award for our ongoing commitment to Victoria’s rural communities. In particular, our work supporting and contributing to CAN’s health promotion efforts and awareness raising of viral hepatitis. Hepatitis Victoria has worked to establish support groups locally and was a key partner in the World Hepatitis Day education and community forum in Bendigo. CAN recognised our commitment and support for the health and wellbeing of regional Victorian communities. It was noted that community service is never about a single organisation and our efforts to partner with local services, organisations, and community groups was commended. Hepatitis Victoria fully supports this approach to partnerships and we look forward to continuing to work with out partners in the regions over the coming years. For more information about the award visit: www.can.org.au
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represents the culture of body ink. With an estimated 8,000+ visitors the expo showcased and promoted the incredible skills of the best tattoo artists Australia and the rest of the world have to offer.
population levels”.
Hepatitis Victoria’s presence. We were also able to promote our upcoming Body Art and Tattoo Mobile Phone Application, funded by the Telematics Trust and sponsored by the Australian Tattoo Academy. Tattooing is a culture that has been around for centuries and is now a significant part of mainstream society. However, many young people don’t know the risks of backyard or unlicensed tattooing. The app, called ‘Ink-In’, has been developed to capture the artistic spirit of young people while educating them about hepatitis. Work is continuing with a view to launch the app in early 2014. You can register to find out when it is released at www.hepvic.org/inkin
Cancer Council of Victoria, working in a variety of roles, including on the Telephone Information Line and working on smoking cessation programs in prisons. Prior to this Judi has worked as a social worker in health, community and disability sectors in Victoria, NSW and the United Kingdom.
discrimination. This discrimination is a major barrier to advancing the public health response to hepatitis C at both the individual and
and owners of tattoo studios, who expressed their appreciation for
year. Judi joins Hepatitis Victoria after more than nine years at the
injecting drug use, often due to their previous experiences of
Hepatitis Victoria were able to be present over the three days, questions from the general public, as well as speaking to artists
Isabella Natale, whilst she is on parental leave from the end of this
“Many people with hepatitis C are reluctant to acknowledge past
Thanks to the generosity of the event organisers, Tora Media, promoting safe body art and tattoo practices. We answered many
Judi Brewster has accepted the Health Promotion position to cover
that that although Reed did not shy
On Sunday 29th September 2013, Hepatitis Victoria was thrilled to
businesses and individuals that contribute to CAN’s work of
Judi Brewster
With newer and faster treatments on the horizon uptake in treatment rates should increase from the current 2%. However, Professor Gore writes that to enable people living with hepatitis C to benefit from clinical advances, treatment must not only be accessible but we must also challenge the stigma and discrimination and raise awareness to
Jane Little
support people with hepatitis C to seek treatment.
Jane Little has joined the Hepatitis Victoria Team as the new
“The Perfect Day that we are striving for in hepatitis C would be one
Champions Project Office. Jane has previously worked at
in which the 230,000 people living with chronic hepatitis C in Australia
Tourism Victoria in a variety of roles including marketing and
have the opportunity to fully benefit from approaching advances in
event coordination. More recently she worked at Centrelink
treatment and care.”
working in customer relations. Jane has been a member of the
Source: We Need To Talk About Hepatitis C, The Drum, Professor Gregory Gore, 2013 Full article available from: www.abc.net.au/news
Hepatitis Victoria support group for a number of years and also a key member of the ‘Happy Livers’ band. Her role here is to develop the ‘Hepatitis Champions’ project, recruiting and training community advocates.
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Hep Heroes Anti-discrimination campaign launched!
O
n Saturday 23rd November at Federation Square, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Georgie Crozier, was joined by leading hepatitis advocates to launch an antidiscrimination campaign called “Hep Heroes”. Representing the Minister for Health David Davis, Ms Crozier launched the online campaign and invited the public to make the pledge: “hepatitis doesn’t discriminate and neither do I”. Health Minister and a ‘Hep Hero’ David Davis sent the message that many people with hepatitis experience discrimination after disclosing their status to others. “Disclosure may have an impact on personal and working relationships and can prevent people from seeking the help and support they need,” Mr Davis said. The Minister and his Parliamentary Secretary encouraged everyone to sign the pledge and get the message out. “Becoming a Hep Hero is a simple but powerful action that will show those most affected they are supported,” Mr Davis said. Joining Ms Crozier were Hepatitis Victoria’s first 21 Hep Heroes, including Professor Rob Moodie, Dr Sally Cockburn (Dr Feelgood), leading researcher Dr Benjamin Cowie and football identity Jeff “Joffa” Corfe.
About the Hep Heroes “Hepatitis doesn’t discriminate and neither do I”
“
The stigma associated with hepatitis is one of the biggest barriers people face when seeking information and care. We all need to speak out and smash stigma in order to change the way hepatitis is perceived and treated. Dr Sally Feelgood
”
want everyone in our community to show “ Icourage to speak out against the devastating
effects that silence, stigma and discrimination can have on communities who are impacted by illness. Through public awareness we can make a real difference and influence long term change. Professor of Global Health, Rob Moodie
”
“Many of my friends and family have been affected by hepatitis and the discrimination that comes with it. I am a Hep Hero because I want to stand up and fight for all people with hepatitis and I want others to do the same. Football identify Joffa Corfe
”
a Hep Hero because I want to get “ Itheammessage out to Aboriginal communities that what we do now, can come back later. ” Aboriginal Health Worker, Victorian
Aboriginal Health Service, Kim Dick
political change and defending the “Byrightsseeking to health and wellbeing of people living
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with viral hepatitis we can all make a difference. Join the heroes, there is so much we can do together to make a real difference to Australia’s response to viral hepatitis and liver cancer. Leading Hepatitis B researcher, Dr Benjamin Cowie
Hep Heroes is a simple pledge that we are asking everyone to make in order to raise awareness and stop discrimination. It is part of Hepatitis Victoria’s 21st birthday celebration, which aims to show the people behind the virus in order to provide a positive lived experience and reduce stigma. We have chosen our first 21 Heroes who we believe have made a significant contribution to increasing community knowledge and understanding of viral hepatitis (B and C). Our first heroes include medical experts, community advocates, people with lived experience and professionals in the field. They come from a range of backgrounds including CALD communities, people who inject drugs, researchers, musicians and politics. They all have one thing in common - they have spoken out against discrimination! We would now like you to join them and become a hero too!
Becoming a Hero is Easy: 1. Visit www.hepheroes and make the pledge 2. Get the message out by using the Facebook ‘like’ and Tweet buttons on the website 3. Be inspired by our Hep Hero story and submit your story Visit: www.hepheroes.com and become a hero today!
Hepatitis Victoria would like to thank Federation Square for their generosity in sponsoring the Hep Heroes event.
”
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“I’m
a Hep Hero because I bit
Personal stories
Personal stories
Meet our Hep Hero – Jen Anderson
Meet our Hep Hero – Nafisa Yusuf
When I first discovered that I had hepatitis
the bullet and gave treat-
C I ignored it for many years. I didn’t feel
ment a go. It took a lot of guts, but I’m now
unwell, and anyway, I was scared about
cured of hepatitis C. So I want to help others
treatment. But I had regular blood tests for
who are in the same position that I was.”
liver check ups.
Jen has a musical background as both a
are a good place to get info and to find others who are in the same boat as you. Also, it’s important for people to talk about
“I’m
a Hep Hero because
was confronting and for the first year I didn’t
daughter who was vaccinated against
I want people to be
really understand what it was. Looking back
hepatitis B and she is perfectly healthy.
empowered with more knowledge”
both hepatitis B and C, so that everyone can
I have been living with chronic hepatitis B
learn about it. Many people from all walks of
for years now and I am actively involved in
Then in 2011 my liver results started
life are affected by it. The more we can bring
the community advocating for people with
violinist and composer. She has performed
skyrocketing! I had to face the fact that if I
the subject out into the open, the less fear
hepatitis B and raising awareness.
with many Australian and international
didn’t do something soon, I might get liver
the general public will have about it.
artists such as Moby, Michelle Shocked, The
cancer and die. I didn’t want that!
Black Sorrows, Weddings Parties Anything, The Waifs and Archie Roach. She has produced and/or engineered albums with the likes of Ruby Hunter, Tim Rogers, and The Waifs, and performed on many others for artists such as Dave Graney, Nick Cave and
I started working with Hepatitis Victoria
Once they see that we are normal people
this year as a public speaker. I am
So I found out everything I could about
just like everyone else, it will make our lives
passionate about clearing up any
treatment, and I went along to the Hepatitis
easier, and we don’t need to be so scared of
misunderstandings or misconceptions
Victoria support group and also did the 6
going ahead with treatment, or getting help
about hepatitis B and letting people
week health management course that they
from family, friends, and work mates.
know that you can still have a normal
run – it was really helpful.
Jen Anderson Musician, Hepatitis Community Advocate
and healthy lifestyle. In addition to public speaking I am also
Midnight Oil. Jen also has a keen interest in
In 2012 I finally bit the bullet and underwent
health issues, having studied nursing and
treatment, which included taking 2 new trial
involved in young peoples projects and I
completed a Masters in Public Health.
drugs along with the ‘standard’ drugs. It
attend the support groups. I discovered I
She has just retired from the Board of
worked for me, and wasn’t half as scary as
had hepatitis B in 2007 when I started to feel
Hepatitis Australia.
I thought it would be. One year on, and
really sick, I had migraines and I just had no
I feel fantastic!
energy whatsoever. For a couple of months
I believe that music is the most powerful medium and have a long-term plan to mix
Now I want to help others who are in a
music and health. As a Melburnian I am
similar position to what I was. I want to
proud to support Hepatitis Victoria and
encourage those who are worried about their
share my Hep Hero story.
liver health to face their fear of treatment and look into giving it a go before it’s too late. The great thing is that drug treatments keep getting better than what they used to be, with higher cure rates and lower treatment times – hopefully soon there’ll be hardly any side effects at all. One of the main things is to set yourself up with some support to help you get through the treatment. If you’ve got an understanding partner, other family member, or friend, that’s great, but if
Jen’s message to others:
“You too can be a Hep Hero… if you have hepatitis, find that badge of courage that’s lurking inside, look into treatment options, and you too can look forward to a healthier life!”
I thought it was just stress due to my VCE but then I went to the doctor and that’s how I found out I had chronic hepatitis B. I was born in Somalia and came to live in Australia when I was twelve years old. I believe I contracted the infection from my mother during birth. When I was diagnosed, everyone in my family was tested and both my mother and brother were found to have previously had hepatitis B.
now, I think I was in denial and just wanted to treat it as soon as possible. However, I now know it’s a long-term condition and over time I have come to accept it. I simply take my medication – one tablet at night –
However, some others are not as fortunate. Hepatitis affects over 400, 0000 Australians yet very few people know about it. Therefore it is imperative to raise our voices together.
and my life hasn’t been restricted. In fact,
Nafisa Yussf
it’s changed my life for the better, because
Public Speaker, Community Advocate
now I am aware of my condition and am empowered with more knowledge. My family also struggled with the diagnosis, mainly due to the confusion from language barriers. In my language we only have one name for the three different hepatitis viruses – A, B and C – and I had to explain that to my mum. People in my culture don’t think hepatitis B is that serious because they think all strains of the virus are simply hepatitis A. This is why I want to help communities understand and have the right information.
Nafisa’s message to others:
“Come and join us! Be a Hep Hero and let’s stand together!”
I am grateful doctors diagnosed the disease before it progressed any further, and I am forever in their debt. I am glad that I caught it in time and could do something about it. Imagine if I found out when it was too late. That would be horrific. I am very lucky that there are treatments available. Thanks to regular appointments with my doctor my hepatitis B is carefully managed at every stage. I have a
The original diagnosis
you haven’t, places like Hepatitis Victoria are really helpful and
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Health literacy in a culturally and linguistically diverse society: Shinen Wong, Health Promotions Officer explores the sector
I
come from a mixed cultural background.
In many ways, I am privileged to be fluent
I am ethnically Hakka, Hokkien and
in my spoken and written English skills,
Cantonese, all linguistically diverse groups
and in my professional involvement in
from various parts of China, and also
health promotion. Even with all these, as
Peranakan, a cultural category used to
someone from a migrant background who
describe Chinese-descended people who
has lived here for just over five years, I am
have long lived in Malaysia and have a
still learning, every day, about what my rights are in terms of access to healthcare and the possibilities there are in enabling the health and wellbeing of myself and of the communities I am a part of.
unique hybridized cultural identity (most recognisably in our art, architecture and delicious food). More personally, I was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, grew up in Singapore, and went to university in rural New Hampshire, USA, before moving to Australia as a young adult to kick-start my career in health promotion and community development.
These are just some of the factors that influence health promotion. It is important to step back from our roles as educators and
see health literacy as a collaborative responsibility of all of us.
The World Health Organisation defines health literacy as “the cognitive and social
As a primarily English-language health
skills which determine the motivation and
promoter, I can improve my own health
ability of individuals to gain access to,
Since coming to Australia, I have been
understand and use information in ways
struck by the sophistication of the work
which promote and maintain good health.
around public health that has been done
Health Literacy means more than being able
literacy in learning to collaboratively communicate and to convey complex health information in a range of more accessible ways for a broader audience.
Health Literacy means more than being able to read pamphlets and successfully make appointments. By improving people’s access to health information and their capacity to use it effectively, health literacy is critical to empowerment.
Accessibility is not necessarily a “dumbing down” of information, but more enabling mutual understanding, such
health literacy
that the dynamics of making information more accessible is understood to be an integrative and transformative process for all people involved. Rather than claiming to do something “on behalf of” culturally and linguistically diverse or “CALD” communities, health
here, particularly when compared to in the
to read pamphlets and successfully make
USA (who are unfortunately still grappling
appointments. By improving people’s access
There is no single health message that would do the trick. All messages will be
with issues of basic ethical concern, such
to health information and their capacity to
received differently by different people.
as availability of access to primary health
use it effectively, health literacy is critical
• Experiences of race and racism in
care for all people). As a new Australian
to empowerment.”
There are many factors to consider when striving to improve health literacy of diverse individuals and communities. Some of these factors include:
citizen, I am grateful for the work that other Australians have done historically to set up a working healthcare system, which provide and make accessible subsidised primary health care services for all citizens as an issue of basic human rights.
Including Aboriginal Australians (who are themselves extremely culturally and linguistically diverse), the cultural and linguistic landscape of Australia is becoming more diverse. Ethnic, cultural and
more ongoing work there has to be done on
linguistic diversity is a given fact of life, certainly in major metropolitan areas like greater Melbourne. This diversity
the ground in order to ensure full equity when
is a benefit to broader Australian society,
it comes to access to health, and parity of
economy and identity. At the same time it
health and wellness across all groups
presents a particular challenge in terms of
of people.
health promotion.
At the same time, I am struck by how much
12
• Current English language proficiency. • Familiarity with the Australian
health system.
• How entrenched a particular community
already is in Australia (for example, there would be a more well-assimilated ethnically Chinese community in Melbourne compared to, say, a Sudanese community).
• Prior or current experience of political
trauma (for example, in the case of refugees and asylum seekers).
accessing services.
• Diverse interpretations of health and
wellness (Traditional Chinese Medicine,
for example, is predicated upon a different
philosophy of the body, health, and
“healing” than Western medicine).
•
Generational differences within families
and communities.
In addition to all these cultural factors, there are also other larger political factors at play, which can determine the capacity for communities, health promoters and healthcare service providers to work together
to improve aggregate health literacy.
promotion workers can think of themselves
These factors may include:
as being a part of the communities whom
• The residency or visa status which can
we wish to serve, and in a way belonging
impact on a person’s entitlements to healthcare or Medicare (this is necessarily linked to existing immigration policy at a Federal level).
• The amount of resources that are
currently devoted to supplementing work with culturally and linguistically diverse communities on local, State/Territory and Federal levels.
• The comparative wealth of different
to and as members of a culturally and linguistically diverse society, regardless of our own cultural heritage or linguistic ability. It is this framework that I wish to experiment with as we continue our commitments to the improvement of health literacy of all of our diverse communities, in the service of better public health outcomes for everyone.
Shinen Wong
communities.
Health Promotion Officer
• The criminalisation of already stigmatised
Hepatitis Victoria
activities (for example, around illicit
injecting drug use).
13
Discrimination and health care An interview with an Integrated Hepatitis C Nurse Consultant.
Leah Higgins, Integrated Hepatitis C
The other thing I see is discrimination that
who have hepatitis C. Going along to a
I’d like to see health workers educate
Nurse Consultant, is interviewed by Marg
could have been avoided with accurate
support group can have enormous benefits
themselves about the condition and get
Sutherland, Health Promotions
information, for example clients being told
as it’s a safe place to talk about living with
past judging people for having it. We also
Officer, Hepatitis Victoria
that they had hepatitis C and believing that
hepatitis C, to get tips, emotional support,
have a responsibility to talk about it and
I
for many years, only to find out that they had
and to not feel judged.
bring it “out of the closet”, and to advocate
work as an Integrated Hepatitis C Nurse Consultant, which means I act as a link
between the hospital and community setting. I’m based at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and my role is primarily in an outreach capacity, where I see people living with viral hepatitis at primary health services in
...A client found out he had hepatitis C because it was written on a sign placed above his hospital bed, not because anyone had discussed it with him. It took him another six years to pluck up the courage and seek information and support about his hepatitis C.
Melbourne. We also provide some telehealth clinics to people who live in regional Victoria. In my role I come across many clients who have suffered from discrimination. They often fear being judged or being put into a box
The same applies to other forms of support.
test, a PCR (polymerase chain reaction test),
Just having one person in your life you can
hadn’t been done or even discussed until the
trust and talk to can help lift that burden.
damage was done.
Online or telephone support can be just
based on their hepatitis C status, rather than
I’ve also seen examples of people being
being seen for who they are as an individual.
discriminated against by employers. For
Discrimination is experienced differently by different people. There are clients I see who have never disclosed to anyone about their hepatitis status, and I’m the first person
example, when people explain why they may need to take time off for treatment and
regular monitoring of their liver health
in their lives because they really don’t care
with the added burden of not feeling they
about other people’s reaction and see it as
have the ability to pursue their rights if their
“their problem”. But this is not common.
employment is suddenly terminated.
Some people on treatment have internalised
I’ve observed discrimination to have a
of treatment are some sort of punishment
huge impact. It affects people mentally,
for having acquired hepatitis C. Family
emotionally, and often physically due to the
members may have given out this message,
stress it causes. They often lose confidence,
or they have internalised the discrimination
and with that goes their ability to access
that’s out there. This is especially true for
services including adequate support and
people who have injected, or who are still
health care.
using as they worry they’ll be given a lecture
judgement. I remember a client who found out he had hepatitis C because it was written on a sign placed above his hospital bed, not because anyone had sat him down and discussed it with him. It took this young man
entering into new relationships through fear
territory. Creative, mass advertising or awareness campaigns are needed to lift the lid on this hidden issue.
with hepatitis C you can make a huge
experience this employment discrimination
feel vulnerable and are in need of care, not
depressing images that often go with the
about accessing services.
I have observed is people not accessing
relationships. Not kissing grandchildren, not
people can warm to rather than the dark,
are. If you’re a parent of someone
on shifts.
be very overwhelming for people who already
see more light, refreshing images, that
affects people regardless of who they
One of the biggest impacts of stigma that
For other people it affects their interpersonal
hepatitis awareness. I would like to
too for someone who isn’t feeling confident
monitoring, they are then no longer rostered
treatment of people with hepatitis. This can
There’s a lot of negative imagery around
supported referrals can help bridge the gaps
hand there are people who tell everyone
sometimes be the worst culprits in their
way we talk about it is important too.
Discrimination doesn’t discriminate! It
People from CALD backgrounds often
Unfortunately Health Care Workers can
it alone, or unable to do so. I think the
as helpful. Workers who are able to offer
they’ve really talked to about it. On the other
The silence that tends to result from discrimination, both perceived and real, leads to a lot of people with hepatitis C not being heard. They don’t have a voice because they don’t want to come out and identify themselves.
14
actually cleared the virus. The right follow up
on behalf of people who are tired of going
because they just don’t want to deal with the
difference in how you respond to your son or daughter’s situation. The response from parents is often extremely important in how people cope and seek support.
discrimination they believe will go along with
For people with hepatitis C I would say
accessing services.
that knowledge is power. The more they
negative messages such as the rigours
can access information relevant to their situation the better equipped they’ll be. This includes the issue of disclosure – making sure you have brochures or other information at the ready if you’re telling someone about your hepatitis C. Take advantage of the support that’s out there – people are often pleasantly surprised by what’s available by phone and online etc.
about their using, past or present. Of course
Marg Sutherland
there are many treatment providers who don’t
Health Promotion Officer
judge, but the perception is still there.
Hepatitis Victoria
of rejection or worrying about transmission,
The silence that tends to result from
even though this shouldn’t be of concern.
discrimination, both perceived and real,
The reactions they’ve had from others
leads to a lot of people with hepatitis C
can make them feel like they should
not being heard. They don’t have a voice
isolate themselves.
because they don’t want to come out and identify themselves.
another six years to pluck up the courage
Conversely people are able to talk
and seek information and support about his
about having hepatitis C in a supportive
As health care workers we need to see
hepatitis C.
environment, especially with other people
hepatitis C as just another health condition.
15
From the Inside
From inside
The right to health care on the inside
The right to health care on the inside.
test (PCR), which establishes whether they have a current infection, prisoners cannot make informed choices about their treatment options. A prisoner might experience considerable distress based on the results of their antibody test for the entire length of their sentence until they have access to a PCR test.
P
eople belonging to marginalised social groups traditionally experience communicable diseases more often. Similarly, many of the most disadvantaged groups are overrepresented within custodial settings. A 2003 Department of Justice evaluation identified Victorian prisoners were “…. at the very high-risk end of the Victorian health spectrum”.1
Worldwide rates of blood borne viruses are considerably higher in people in custody than the general population. In Australia, it is believed one in three men in custody and two in three women have hepatitis C infections. Infections in the general population are estimated to be one in every 100 people. 2 Prisoners have the right to access and receive health care without discrimination because of their legal status. This right is outlined in the Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners.3 Niveau et al argue care received by prisoners is often different to that available to the general population out of necessity.4 People in custodial settings have increased and different needs generally. They further argue providing health care which is the equivalent to the community should be the minimum aim, and that when health care services within custodial settings are different from those in the community, it should be because they exceed community standards.4
PREVENTION The prevention and control of hepatitis C cannot be achieved with a single activity. Transmission is preventable and infections are manageable with a combination of activities. A comprehensive approach involving education, surveillance,
16
An antibody test will limit the ability of staff to assist prisoners to prepare themselves to access specialist services once they are released. As a result the ability of health care staff to provide health care to prisoners is not the equivalent of their counterparts resources essential to preventing transmission, diagnosis and treatment is necessary to prevent and control infections. Each component is essential and the absence of any could undermine the impact of other components.
needs for preventative resources. The lack of needle and syringe programs in custodial facilities could therefore be considered as an example of discrimination experienced by prisoners because of their legal status.
An essential component of preventing
a range of education programs in prisons
transmission of blood borne viruses is
aimed at reducing risk and preventing harm,
access to needle and syringe programs.
however this can only have a limited effect.
An investment of $141 million on Australian needle and syringe programs is estimated to have prevented 21,000 hepatitis C infections and 25,000 HIV infections over a ten year period. The resulting programs also saved $2.4 billion dollars. 6 These figures illustrate how programs simultaneously benefit individuals, the general community and the health services of the future. Despite this there are currently no needle and syringe programs in Victorian
For example, Hepatitis Victoria undertakes
Education needs to be accompanied by concrete programs that acknowledge the reality of people’s current addiction and works with them to reduce the harm associated, while encouraging alternate options.
TREATMENT Essential resources to diagnose, observe and manage an infection include the ability to access pathology services, specialist assessment and investigations pertinent to determining whether commencing treatment is appropriate.
and syringe programs detracts from the
In some custodial settings, people can only be tested to establish whether they have antibodies to the virus. While a negative antibody test may be useful, a positive test has limited value.
prevention efforts that do currently occur
A positive test may reflect someone currently
prisons. Their absence in custodial settings undermines efforts undertaken in the community by individuals to protect themselves. Further, a lack of needle
in prisons.
has an infection. It could also reflect that
The high rates of viral hepatitis and other
someone has previously had the infection but
blood borne viruses experienced by people in
does not anymore. Until all prisoners have
custody means they have drastically higher
access to a polymerase chain reaction
in other settings. Treatment of chronic infections is essential to reducing transmission of the virus. However, despite high rates of infections in people in prison, throughout the world treatment programs are not common in custodial settings.7
access to specialist services. A person’s sentence time can also impact on their ability to initiate and complete treatment. They could also be transferred between custodial facilities during treatment. However, prison could be viewed as the perfect opportunity to provide treatment. When in custody peoples lives are often relatively stable, they can be actively monitored, and it can be combined with a range of other support programs to prepare them for a more healthy lifestyle when released. This is particularly the case with the increasing number of treatment options for hepatitis, which take fewer months and so can be completed while in prison leaving the person healthly on returning to the community. If treatment was available and standardized throughout all custodial settings in Victoria, movement of prisoners between and out of facilities could be less disruptive to a person’s ability to complete treatment than
The lack of needle and syringe programs in custodial facilities could therefore be considered as an example of discrimination experienced by prisoners because of their legal status In the 2011 report, Investigation into prisoner access to health care, the Ombudsman identified access to treatment for hepatitis C as “a matter of some priority”.8 At the time people in only three out of Victorians 14 prisons were able to access treatment while they were in custody. The Ombudsman described this as an “insufficient” level of prisoner access to treatment.
when only a select number of facilities are able to offer treatment.
In practice people in custodial settings are faced with numerous challenges when wanting to undertake often live saving treatment. A person who is preparing to undertake treatment needs to access to specialist staff, medications and other supportive resources. There are many logistical difficulties associated with prisoner
Federal and state laws in Australia make it unlawful to discriminate against someone on the basis of their health and illness. There are many activities currently occurring within Victorian prisons important to reducing blood borne virus transmission and treating chronic hepatitis C infections. However prisoners are severely constrained in their access to
There are many benefits for the individual unique to commencing treatment in the custodial setting. Cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma may be avoided if treatment can be commenced before these diseases develop. Further infections will be prevented when an individual is treated.
STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION
prevention resources, specialist services and treatment. The stigma often associated with hepatitis C and the potential consequences of the resulting discrimination could be far more extreme within a custodial setting. Educational programs aimed at all prisoners can enhance the populations understanding of their own risk to blood borne diseases. Until every person in custody has access to the same prevention and treatment services as people in the community, it cannot be said that prisoners do not have access to health care that is the equivalent to people in the community. As Post et al state “the prison environment is intended for deprivation of liberty not health care.” The distinction between these concepts should be maintained if the principal of equivalence of health care services is to be respected.
Melissa Wright Health Promotion Officer, Hepatitis Victoria
Annotation: 1. Deloitte Consulting. Victorian Prisoner Health Survey. Department of Justice, Government of Victoria. February 2003. 2. Hepatitis Australia. Consensus statement: addressing Hepatitis C in Australian Custodial settings. June 2011. 3. UN General Assembly, Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners: resolution/adopted by the General Assembly, 28 March 1991, A/RES/45/111, 4. Niveau, G. Relevance and limits of the principle of “equivalence of care” in prison medicine. J Med Ethics. 2007 October; 33(10): 610–613. doi: 10.1136/jme.2006.018077 5. AIHW. The health of Australia’s prisoners. 2012. 6. Health.vic.gov.au. 2013. Needle & Syringe Program: Alcohol & other drugs services in Victoria - Department of Health, Victoria, Australia. [online] Available at: http://www. health.vic.gov.au/aod/about/needle.htm 7. Post, J., Arain, A. and Llyod, A. 2013. Enhancing assessment and treatment of hepatitis C in the custodial setting. CID, 2013:57 Suppl 2. 8. Victorian Ombudsman. 2011. Investigation into prisoner access to health care.
17
Hepatitis C – A new report Understanding care and stigma from a social perspective
Hep C: Going Viral Would you like to learn what you can do to stay healthy and get more out of life? Would you like to meet other people with hepatitis C?
A research paper released by Oxford
Hepatitis C remains a clinical and public
One of the studies cited is a mood and
University Press on behalf of the Infectious
health challenge. Engaging people with
adjustment study conducted among 87
Diseases Society of America.
hepatitis C in care and treatment has been
patients awaiting hepatitis C treatment in
A
identified as key to reducing the growing
Ireland. The study examined various physical
disease burden and social costs. However,
and mental health measures. The impact of
treatment uptake rates remain low despite
stigma was associated with a wide spectrum of
advances in treatment. One defining
health outcomes, from poor adaption to illness
characteristic of the experience
to psychiatric disorders. A similar study
new report entitled Under-standing Barriers to Hepatitis C Virus Care and Stigmatization From a Social Perspective was released in October 2013 exploring the relationship bet-ween stigma, adverse health outcomes and access to the care as a result. The paper notes that for people living with hepatitis C, stigma is a defining feature given the “socially demonised practice of injection drug use”. However, there is little
undertaken in the United States
Stigma has a direct detrimental influence on mental and physical care. The association between illness-related stigma and psychological health impacts on families and carers and the uptake of treatment and care.
also revealed that more than 50% of clients with hepatitis attending hospital based liver clinics reported stigma. Connections were found between stigma and mental health symptoms, reduced quality of life and difficulty coping.
literature that examines stigma as a barrier to hepatitis C treatment and
of living with hepatitis – stigma – has not be
care. The paper explores the relationship
systematically explored as a barrier to care.
between the person living with hepatitis C
The report examines the elements of
and their health worker can work to improve
stigma and it’s effects.
the effects of stigma.
The discussion focuses on contemporary
The paper provides a number of stigma reduction strategies and highlights the importance of building trust and relationships in health care settings. A full copy of the supplement article can be found: www.natap.org/2013/HCV/PDFs
“Stigma has a direct detrimental influence on
hepatitis C healthcare models that are
mental and physical care. The association
working to acknowledge the challenge of
between illness-related stigma and psycho–
stigma and investigates the importance
logical health impacts on families and carers
of building trusting relationships between
Source: Understanding Barriers to Hepatitis C Virus Care and Stigmatization from a Social Perspective. Carla Treloar, Jake Rance, and
and the uptake of treatment and care”.
patients, health workers and their clinics.
Markus Backmund, Oxford University Press , 2013
Face-to-face not your style? We are currently looking for people with a current or past history of hepatitis C, who are interested in joining our online program. Hep C: Going Viral is a six week online group program about health education around hepatitis C, and learning the skills for your health and well-being goals. The online groups are made up of 5 and 10 people, and consist of a weekly 1 hour online (typed) chat session with the whole group, plus some modules you can work on in your own time, for your own learning. The commitment is around 1 -2 hours (1 hour group chat, 30 mins-1 hour module activities) per week for 6 weeks. The modules will be tailored to your health needs and interests.
Our next program will start mid February 2014.
Public Speakers Training Hepatitis Victoria invites you to register your interest in becoming a trained public speaker with the Hepatitis Victoria Public Speakers Bureau.
The Hepatitis Victoria Public Speakers Bureau is a highly dedicated and diverse group of people affected by viral hepatitis who seek to educate the wider community on the issues of living with viral hepatitis by telling their personal stories. Our speakers are the human face of viral hepatitis and help to reduce fear, myths, stigma and discrimination. Training is open to anyone who has had some sort of lived experience with viral hepatitis (B or C). This could include those who have lived with the virus, or closely affected others/supporters, for example partner, child or parent. Our next Public Speakers induction and training will be held in March 2014.
If you are interested in either of the above programs please contact Claire Ferrier, Community Participation Project Officer on (03) 9385 9106 or claire@hepvic.org.au. Please notify Claire of which program you are interested in.
HEPATITIS VICTORIA NEEDS YOU! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE
HEPATITIS CHAMPIONS PROJECT! Become a Community Advocate for education and change – really make a difference and help us deliver this important project! Becoming a Community Advocate as part of the Hepatitis Champions Project is a new and innovative approach to hepatitis education. As a Hepatitis Champions Project – Community Advocate you will share your personal experience of living with, or supporting others with viral hepatitis, communicate with audiences of healthcare workers, local, state and federal government representatives, other professionals and various other targeted community groups.
18
You will then become an advocate for change and increase community understanding and awareness of viral hepatitis, dispel myths and reduce stigma and discrimination and really make a difference. Also as a Community Advocate, you may be invited to participate in longer education sessions, combined with other Hepatitis Victoria programs. You may be fully trained and supported by Hepatitis Victoria to be a public speaker and/or media spokesperson.
If you would like to be involved please email jane@hepvic.org.au or call on 9385 9123 regarding the first exciting session scheduled for 11 February 2014
19
Contacts
Liver clinics
Liver clinics and liver specialists To access public hepatitis C treatment services a referral from a GP is needed. In most cases a referral is faxed to the hepatitis treatment service. The hepatitis treatment services will generally not discuss your treatment options with you until after they have received a referral from your GP. This list of hepatitis treatment services includes clinics that are known to Hepatitis Victoria. Not all possible services are listed and there may be others in your local area.
ALBURY Albury Community Health – Hepatitis Clinic Suite 3, Albury Wodonga Specialist Centre 2 Ramsey Place, West Albury. Contact: (02) 6058 1800 Fax: (02) 6058 1801
BAIRNSDALE Bairnsdale Regional Hospital Bairnsdale Regional Health Service Specialist Consulting Rooms. Princes Hwy, Bairnsdale. Contact: (03) 5150 3478 Fax: (03) 5150 3404
BALLARAT Ballarat Base Hospital Drummond Street, Ballarat Contact: (03) 5320 4211 Fax: (03) 5320 4472
BALLARAT Ballarat Community Health 210 Stuart Street, Ballarat Contact: (03) 5338 4500 or (03) 5320 7500 Fax:(03) 5339 3044
BENDIGO Bendigo Health Cnr Arnold and Lucas Streets, Bendigo Contact: (03) 5454 8422 Fax: (03) 5454 8419
BOX HILL Box Hill Hospital 16 Arnold Street, Box Hill Contact: (03) 9895 3333 (ask for OPD) Fax: (03) 9895 4852
20
CLAYTON
MAROONDAH
WARRNAMBOOL
North Richmond Community Health
Harm Reduction Victoria (HRV)
Southern Health Monash Medical Centre 246 Clayton Road, Clayton Contact: (03) 9594 6035 Fax: (03) 9594 6925
Maroondah Hospital (Eastern Health)
Western Region Alcohol and Drug Centre
Dr John Furler
128 Peel Street, North Melbourne
Out-Patients, Ground Floor, Davey Drive,
(limited hepatitis treatment services)
Weekly visiting Hep C Nurse
Contact: (03) 9329 1500
Ringwood East
172 Merri Street, Warrnambool
23 Lennox Street, Richmond
Email: admin@hrvic.org.au
Contact: (03) 9895 3333
Contact: 1300 009 723
Contact: (03) 9418 9800
CRANBOURNE
Fax: (03) 9871 3202
Southern Health Monash Medical Centre Contact: (03) 9594 3177 Fax: (03) 9594 6245
Primary healthcare and needle
MOORABBIN
WODONGA
North Yarra Community Health Dr Ohnmar John
syringe program
Weekly visiting Hep C Nurse
Hepatitis C information, support and treatment
EAST RINGWOOD
75 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Contact: (03) 9276 2223
Contact: (03) 9411 3555 or (03) 9288 2259
4-12 Buckley Street, Footscray
Maroondah Hospital Davey Drive, East Ringwood Contact: (03) 9095 2434 Fax: (03) 9899 9137
Fax: (03) 9276 2194
Contact: (02) 6056 3366
WODONGA
Nunawading Clinic
EPPING Northern Hospital 185 Cooper Street, Contact: (03) 8405 8000 Fax: (03) 8405 8761
FITZROY St Vincents Hospital 35 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy Contact; (03) 9288 3771 Fax: (03) 9288 3489
FOOTSCRAY
Bayside Liver Clinic (Alfred Hospital) 999 Nepean Highway, Moorabbin
MILDURA
Nordsvan Drive, Wodonga. Vic.
Wodonga Regional Hospital
176 Springvale Road, Nunawading
www.wrhc.com.au/Services_HEALTH.html
Dr. David Ross GP s100 prescriber for
Primary healthcare and needle
HCV and Opiate Replacememnt Program
syringe program
Contact: (03) 9871 3333
Hepatitis C information, support
Parkville
Community-based hepatitis C treatment services
Contact: (03) 9342 7212
Community based treatment clinics have
2A Moore Street, Coburg
Fax: (03) 9342 7277
been developed to enable more people to
Contact: (03) 9386 0900
Living Room
PRAHRAN
access treatment in their local communities.
Werribee Mercy Hospital
Alfred Hospital
Barkley Street Medical Centre
Consulting Suites
syringe program
Gastroenterology Department
Dr Elizabeth Leder
300 Princess Hwy, Werribee
Monthly visiting Gastroenterologist
Contact: 9386 2259
and hep C Nurse
Fax: (03) 9216 8633
60 Barkley Street, St. Kilda
Primary health care centres (for people who use drugs)
234 Thirteenth Street, Mildura Contact: 0408 581 781
PARKVILLE Royal Melbourne Hospital Corner Royal Parade and Grattan Streets,
FRANKSTON
Alfred Hospital
Peninsula Liver Clinic 141 Cranbourne Road, Frankston Contact: (03) 9770 0139
Infectious Diseases Unit
GEELONG
Fax: (03) 9076 6578
Geelong Hospital Ryrie Steet, Geelong Contact: (03) 5246 5117 Fax: (03) 5221 3429
SHEPPARTON
Contact: (03) 9076 2223 Fax: (03) 9276 2194
55 Commercial Road, Prahran Contact: (03) 9076 6081
Goulburn Valley Health 50 Graham Street, Shepparton Telephone: (03) 5832 3600
SPRINGVALE Springvale Community Health 55 Buckingham Street, Springvale
Vermont Street. Wodonga Contact: (02) 6051 7413
Contact: (03) 9534 0531 Cranbourne Integrated Care Centre
St. Kyrollos Family Clinic Dr Ashraf Saddik Monthly visiting Hep C Nurse
4 Johnson Street, Collingwood Contact: (03) 9468 2800 www.nych.org.au/services/drug.html
Primary healthcare and needle Hepatitis C information, support and treatment services 7–9 Hosier Lane (off Flinders Lane), Melbourne Contact: (03) 9662 4488 www.youthprojects.org.au South East Alcohol and Drug Service (Forster Street)
140–154 Sladen Street, Cranbourne
Access Health
program
Contact: (03) 5990 6789
Primary healthcare and needle syringe
Level 2, 229 Thomas Street, Dandenong
program for marginalised/street based
Contact: (03) 9794 7895
injecting drug users, street sex workers and
Turning Point
people experiencing homelessness.
54–62 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Hepatitis C information, support and
Contact: (03) 8413 8413
treatment
Email: info@turningpoint.org.au
31 Grey Street, St. Kilda
Web: www.turningpoint.org.au
as part of Southern Health Services
Greater Dandenong Community Health Service Hepatitis C outreach treatment clinic 229 Thomas Street, Dandenong Contact: (03) 8792 2200
Contact: (03) 9594 3088
HEIDELBERG
TRARALGON
Contact: (03) 9362 8100
Austin Hospital 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg Contact: (03) 9496 2787
Private Consulting Suites 3 and 4
Living Room
95 Drummond Street, Carlton
Princes Highway, Traralgon West.
7 – 9 Hosier Lane, Melbourne
Contact: (03) 9650 0699
Contact: (03) 5173 8111
Contact: (03) 9945 2100
Email: info@anex.org.au
Latrobe Regional Hospital
and treatment.
Primary Needle Syringe Programs
Hepatitis C outreach treatment clinic
Health Works
Fax: (03) 9496 7232
Contact: (03) 9362 8100
Inner Space
55 Commercial Road, Prahran
Central Gippsland Health Service Guthridge Parade, Sale. Contact: (03) 5143 8600 Email: enquires@cghs.com.au
(Dr Tim Shanahan – Gastroenterologist)
Twice per month
Mildara
Western Hospital Eleanor Street, Footscray Contact: (03) 8345 6291
GIPPSLAND
Murray Valley (Private) Hospital
Health Works
4 –12 Buckley Street, Footscray
Primary healthcare and needle syringe
Contact: (03) 9536 7780 ANEX (Association for Needle Exchanges)
21
Contacts
Contacts
Indigenous Health
Multilingual Hepatitis C Resources
CAN (Country Awareness Network),
Wodonga Community Health
Ngwala Willumbong Co-op Limited
This website has over 400 pages of hepatitis
Bendigo
Contact: Jenny Horan/Anita
93 Wellington Street, St Kilda
C and HIV information in 18 languages.
Information, education, support, referrals
Telephone: (02) 6022 8888
Indigenous drug and alcohol service
www.multiculturalhivhepc.net.au
and advocacy to Victorian rural/regional
Telephone: (03) 9510 3233
Health Services Commissioner
communities regarding HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis
Email: reception@ngwala.org
30th Floor, 570 Bourke Street, City
VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation)
Freecall: 1800 136 066 Email: hsc@health.vic.gov.au
17 – 23 Sackville Street, Collingwood.
Victorian Equal Opportunity and
Telephone: (03) 9411 9411
Human Rights Commission
Email: wendyb@vaccho.com.au
Information on state and federal equal
Web: www.vaccho.org.au
opportunity laws and programs
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service 186 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy Telephone: (03) 9419 3000
Sexual Health Melbourne Sexual Health Centre 580 Swanston Street, City Telephone: (03) 9341 6200 Free call: 1800 032 017
Level 3, 204 Lygon Street, Calrton
Telephone: (03) 9418 9929
Email: can@can.org.au Web: www.can.org.au Jigsaw Youth Health Service (Barwon Health Geelong) Contact: Rochelle Hamilton
Email: information@veohrc.vic.gov.au
Latrobe - Mobile Drug Safety Worker
Web: www.humanrightscommission
Helen Warner
.vic.gov.au
Mobile: 0438 128 919
Victorian Viral Hepatitis Educator
Mildura - Sunraysia Community Health
Training for Doctors, Nurses and
Contact: Anne Watts
other health professionals
Telephone: (03) 5022 5444
Telephone 9288 3586
Email: schs@schs.com.au
Support Service,
23 Lennox Street, Richmond.
Telephone: (03) 5443 8355
Telephone: 1300 094 187
Mobile 0407 865 140
transmissible infections
Transmitted Infections
Telephone 1300 891 848
Multicultural Health and HIV, hepatitis C and sexually
C, other Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually
Yarra Valley Community Health Service Healesville Shop 2, 297 Maroondah Highway, Healesville. Once per month clinic GP referral – can be faxed to Dept of Hepatology, Eastern Health Telephone: 1300 130 381 Yarrawonga Community Health Contact: Cherie McQualter Whyte Telephone: (03) 5743 8111
What is Hep Connect Hep Connect provides an opportunity for people with hepatitis C to mutually discuss their experience with a trained peer volunteer over the telephone. All peer volunteers have experience of living with hepatitis C and have undertaken hepatitis C treatment or are living with cirrhosis. Hep Connect is a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL service and can be accessed by calling the Hepatitis Infoline
1800 703 003 (free call) Hep Connect aims to:
• Assist people living with
Meets on the third Sunday of each month between 2.00 – 4.00pm The Hepatitis Support Group meets at the offices of Hepatitis Victoria, Suite 5, 200 Sydney Road, Brunswick. The meetings are a great place to meet other people who are also living with hepatitis. The group is friendly and welcoming and comprises people from various backgrounds who come together once a month to talk about their experiences of living with hepatitis. One aspect of the group is support while another is socialising regularly with sorts of challenges as you. It’s a great way to deal with those feelings of isolation and aloneness.
Moe Community Health Centre
hepatitis C
You can call Garry on the Hepatitis Infoline
Regional services
Telephone: 1800 242 696
1800 703 003 if you want to either attend
These contacts are able to provide
Portland - Glenelg Southern Grampians
• Assist people’s decision
information about local viral hepatitis related
Drug Treatment Service
services as well as active support groups.
Contact: Bev McIlroy Telephone: (03) 5521 0350
making process around treatment
•
Enhance peoples capacity to cope with treatment
Ballarat Community Health
Related Health Services
Contact: Marg Stangl
Shepparton Community Health
Telephone: (03) 5338 4500
Telephone: (03) 5823 3200
13 Keith Street, Hampton East
Barwon - Surf Coast Health Service
Wangaratta - Ovens and King
living with cirrhosis
Telephone: (03) 9555 7595
Telephone: 03) 4215 7850
Community Health Centre
•
Email: info@hfv.org.au
SUPPORT GROUP
people who are going through the same
Go to: www.ceh.org.au/mhss.aspx
Haemophilia Foundation Victoria,
HEPATITISVICTORIA
Barwon Health Drug and Alcohol Services
Contact: Diane Hourigan Telephone: (03) 5723 2000
• Assist people to manage
Reduce isolation and increase overall hepatitis C support.
a meeting or would like to learn more about how the support group works.
Garry Sattell Community Support Services Coordination Hepatitis Victoria
Upcoming Support Group dates in 2014 February 16 March 16
Hepatitis Australia
Telephone: (03) 4215 8700
Web forum for professionals in the hepatitis C
Bendigo Health Care Group
sector.www.hepatitisaustralia.com/
Contact: Catina Eyres
forum/publicaccess/
Telephone: (03) 5454 6000
HIV/Hepatitis/STI Education and
services from the WRAD centre on the
June 22
Camperdown Hepatitis C Support worker
Resource Centre at the Alfred
2nd Thursday of each month.
Contact: Jo Sloetjes
July 20
Moubray Street, Prahran
Telephone: 1300 009 723
Telephone: (03) 5593 3415
Statewide resource centre on HIV/AIDS,
Email: camperdown.resource@svdp-vic.org.au
Hepatitis and Sexually Transmissible Infections Telephone: (03) 9076 6993 Web: www.alfredhealth.org.au
Warrnambool - Western Region Alcohol and Drug Centre (WRAD)
Dr Brough is offering limited specialist
Wimmera (East) Region
April 20 May 18
August 17
(Birchip, Wycheproof, St Arnaud)
September 21
Phil Blackwood (Naturopath/Psychologist)
October 19
Mobile telephone: 0403 625 526
November 16 December 21
22
23
Hepatitis Infoline Call the Hepatitis Infoline to talk about. Information: We can answer questions and mail information to you. Support: We can provide support for a range of issues and concerns. Referral: We can refer you to other organisations and services. The Hepatitis Infoline is a free and confidential service for all Victorians. Hours Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm
1800 703 003 Your donations make a difference!
Y
our donations help us to provide information, services, advocacy, resources and support for people affected by viral hepatitis, health professÂionals and members of the general
public. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
I would like to donate the following amount:
Please send my receipt to:
$20
$50
$100
$_____ (Your choice)
I have enclosed my cheque/money order/cash or Please debit my credit card for $______
If you do not receive your receipt promptly, then please call Lisa Nulty on 03 9380 4644, or email Lisa at: admin@hepvic.org.au.
Name
Address
Type of card: Visa/MasterCard Suburb/City Name on Card Card number:
Postcode State Send to: Hepatitis Victoria
Expiry Date
24
Suite 5, 200 Sydney Road
Brunswick, Victoria. 3056