Fast, simple, safe, effective treatment available to cure hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be easily cured in 98 per cent of cases with a simple tablet prescribed by a GP, yet more than 7,600 people in South Western Sydney are living with the life-threatening condition – a prevalence 7.4 per cent higher than the national average.

GPs have a crucial role in increasing HCV treatment in our community and in helping meet the national target of hepatitis C elimination as a public health threat by 2030.

There are resources available in South Western Sydney to support you in delivering fast, simple, safe and highly effective treatment to patients who have tested positive to HCV.

Key messages for patients:

• HCV can easily be cured:
  – in 98 per cent of cases
  – in eight to 12 weeks
  – with just tablets (direct acting antivirals)
  – with little to no side-effects
• HCV treatment is covered by Medicare and is available to everyone
• Curing HCV clears the virus from the body, reducing liver inflammation and the chance of developing liver cancer, and helping reverse fibrosis and even cirrhosis

HCV treatment information for GPs:

SWSPHN’s website has pages dedicated to detailing the supports available to GPs treating HCV-positive patients in our region, including information about:

• training opportunities
• the community hepatitis CNC
• hepatitis C keystone practices

Visit our website

Information pack:

For GPs who have been notified a patient has tested positive to HCV by the public health unit, SWSPHN has also developed a pack with information on how to support your patient to become hepatitis C-free.

This includes how to:

• access clinical guidelines on HealthPathways
• contact the Community Hepatitis CNC
• discuss your patient’s planned treatment at Project ECHO
• access ASHM Hepatitis C Learning Hub
• encourage your patient to engage in treatment through the Motivate C Project

Keystone practices:

While you are able to provide treatment, there may be reasons why you would prefer to refer your patient to an alternative treatment provider, such as one of the five hepatitis C keystone practices in South Western Sydney.

SWSPHN funds five GP practices across our region to provide HCV treatment for the patients of GPs who are unfamiliar with or may be hesitant to prescribe hepatitis C treatment.

The keystone practice will complete all medical care required to treat the patient’s HCV. Patients will be advised to see their original GP for all their other healthcare needs.

Specialist treatment services are also available for more complex cases.

Information on how to refer to these services is also available in the information brochure.

Download the pack