This is how treatment worked / works at a New Zealand Hospital.

1, Referral from General Practioner to to Hospital Gastroenterology Department

2, Consultation with Gastroenterologist

  • Clinical assesement of HCV Liver Disease
  • "suitability for treatment"
  • referral for Liver Biopsy
  • review results of Biopsy re treatment options

3, Hepatitis C Nurse Pre assessment clinic

  • HCV Status checked

can refer to

  • Dietician,
  • Psychiatric Liasion services,
  • CADS Community Alcohol and Drug services

4, Hepatitis C Nurse Treatment Clinics

  • Offered first appointment
  • First injection supervised
  • Review week one by phone
  • Review week two and four by phone then review four weekly or more regularly dependent on side effects till end of treatment

5, End of follow up

Sustained Virological response

  • ALT normal
  • PCR negative
  • Discharge to GP

OR

Failed Virological clearence

  • ALT elevated
  • PCR positive
  • refer to Gastroenterolgist
flow
“A community of people with hepatitis C trying to help other people who are affected by hepatitis C”