Needle and Syringe Program (NSP): The missing piece of the hepatitis C treatment puzzle

The new direct acting antiviral treatments for hepatitis C mean that Australia has the opportunity to eliminate the virus. All people with hepatitis C, even those still injecting drugs, can access treatment and get rid of the virus.

The uptake of the new hepatitis C treatments has slowed across Australia. NSPs see people who inject drugs every day, so it’s time for these frontline services to play a central role in encouraging and supporting clients to get tested and treated for hepatitis C.

This Penington Institute seminar is your opportunity to hear from the experts, ask questions and learn from each other about how to improve hepatitis C treatment uptake in your community.

Speakers and topics include:

• Dr Stephen McNally and Crios O’Mahony (Penington Institute) – Uniqueness of secondary NSPs and their role in eliminating hepatitis C.
• Dr Alisa Pedrana (Burnet Institute) – Simplifying the hep C story: The role of NSP in eliminating hepatitis C.
• A person with lived experience
• Martin Forrest & Nicole Gunn (Hepatitis Victoria) – Sensitive conversations – supporting people living with viral hepatitis.
• David Silkoff (Western Health Drug Health Services) – A pill a day makes the disease go away: Examples of hepatitis C care and treatment.
• Bec Thatcher (Salvation Army Crisis Services) – St Kilda 24/7 NSP: 45,000 opportunities to discuss hep C.
• Rachel Liddle (Western Health Drug Health Services) – Treatment of hepatitis C – a nursing perspective.