A short course of oral antivirals can cure hepatitis C, but first we have to identify people with chronic infection. Read our article to find out who and how to test for hep C, the supports in place for patients and health providers, and the plan to eradicate hepatitis globally.
Episode Seven: Eradicating hepatitis C in Aotearoa
Episode seven of our Legendary Conversations podcast explores hepatitis C. Dr Sarah Hartnall, and nurses Nancy Carey and Bridget Faire discuss hepatitis C testing, treatment, and support networks in Aotearoa.
Note: This educational resource is not intended as a treatment guide; any clinical decisions regarding treatment remain the responsibility of the clinician.
Additional resources
Click the links below for more information on hepatitis C:
- He Ako Hiringa article - Hepatitis C targeted for global eradication
- Healthify - Hepatitis C
- Health Pathways - Chronic Hepatitis C
- Hep C risk factor checklist
- Ministry of Health - Hepatitis C
- Ministry of Health - National Hepatitis C Action Plan for Aotearoa New Zealand
- Talking Hepatitis C - Script for staff point of care testing
- World Health Organisation - Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis 2016-2021. Towards ending viral hepatitis
As mentioned in the podcast, Te Manawa Taki Community Hep C service can be contacted on 0800 195 115 (8am-5pm, Monday-Friday).
Nancy Carey is also happy to be contacted by people within Te Manawa Taki via email: nancy.carey@waikatodhb.health.nz
Podcast guests
Dr Sarah Hartnall
Dr Sarah Hartnall is an urgent care physician by training and the current co-clinical lead of the hepatitis C look-back project in Auckland and Northland. Dr Hartnall is interested in patient safety, education and quality improvement, and is passionate about improving access to care. She currently lives in Auckland with her husband and 3 boys.
Nancy Carey
Nancy trained as a nurse in the UK and started her career in paediatrics. Once in NZ she moved into the field of gastroenterology clinical trials and spent 15 years running trials in inflammatory bowel disease, renal disease, respiratory disease and hepatitis. She was lucky enough to work in trials during the evolution of direct acting antivirals for hep C, and has seen the difference these medications with high cure rates and few side effects, can make to people.
Nancy has been the nurse coordinator for Te Manawa Taki Community Hep C service for 5 years. This small team has worked hard to innovate new ways of working with patients and stakeholders, building a point-of-care network and a mobile service in Te Manawa Taki region.
Bridget Faire
Bridget Faire is a nurse specialist who works in the liver transplant unit at Auckland hospital. She has 14 years’ experience supporting both health providers and patients with managing hepatitis C and its consequences.
Professional college endorsements
This activity has been endorsed by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) and has been approved for up to 0.5 CME credit for continuing professional development purposes (1 credit per learning hour). To claim your CPD credits, log in to your Te Whanake dashboard and record these activities under the appropriate learning category.
This activity has been endorsed by the PSNZ as suitable for inclusion in a pharmacist’s CE records for CPD purposes.
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