Outreach services
HepLink outreach is when HepLink workers visit places where people at risk of hepatitis might be. They might set up a mobile clinic, do testing, offer referral to treatment, or just have a chat to share information and support. No appointment is necessary, and it is free to be tested. You do not need a Medicare card.
In addition, HepLink provides targeted activities in response to identified need. Here is the list of Targeted Outreach Services that are available at the moment:
Australian Capital Territory – Hep B Free Outreach Program
Hepatitis ACT’s Hep B Free Outreach Program supports Chinese and Vietnamese people and communities in the ACT to get tested and connected to care and treatment for hepatitis B.
Bilingual Community Health Educators from Chinese and Vietnamese backgrounds can provide:
- In-language health education
- Hepatitis B testing with a $40 incentive for eligible participants
- Referral to vaccination, reassurance, or specialist care depending on test results.
More information, contact:
Sav Gollapally, Programs Manager
New South Wales – Peer-led Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Testing, plus follow-up
Hepatitis NSW provides Dried Blood Spot (DBS) testing at a local clinic and community settings (eg housing shelters, community food kitchens, opioid treatment clinics, etc) where there may be need, but little or no previous testing. DBS testing is flexible and can be taken to more locations than tests that require a blood draw.
This program is run and delivered by trained peer workers - people with lived experience of hepatitis C and cure.
DBS uses finger pricks to collect small drops of blood to test for hepatitis C antigen (that is, active infection).It is free, quick (10-15minutes to test), and effective, with results delivered 7-10 days later. Clients also receive follow-up support and advice from our peer workers during any treatment they may need to undertake.
More information, contact:
Gracey Woods, HepLink DBS Officer
New South Wales – LiverCare: A community-led liver health outreach program for multicultural communities
Hepatitis NSW has a pilot liver health program which offers hepatitis B testing, hepatitis C testing, and a FibroScan in community settings to people from multicultural communities and migrant backgrounds. LiverCare is a sub-study of the National HCV Point-of-Care Program.
LiverCare offers rapid fingerstick testing for hepatitis B and C meaning people can get all their results in under an hour. A hepatology nurse is also on-site to support people if they have any liver health issues identified and provide a direct pathway into care for any hepatitis B or C diagnoses on the day.
The LiverCare program hires and trains people from multicultural communities to help reach those most affected by hepatitis B and C. It has staff from Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean backgrounds with plans to expand to other priority communities. These workers will engage with the community in language, assist in enrolling them into the study, and support people in getting tested and staying connected to care.
More information, contact:
Kyle Leadbeatter [email protected] 02 8217 7707
Willis Ng [email protected]
Northern Territory – Peer-led hepatitis C testing in emerging at-risk populations
In Alice Springs, NTAHC HepLink peer outreach workers offer Hepatitis C point-of-care testing, which is a quick finger-prick blood test with results provided within 30 minutes. There is a $40 incentive available for being tested. Where needed, HepLink peer outreach workers can also provide sterile injecting equipment, brief interventions, linkage to care and naloxone which can reverse an opioid overdose.
Clients can be linked to care through the Clinic 34 Sexual Health Clinic with all staff bringing expertise in viral hepatitis, harm reduction, and community health.
The HepLink peer outreach workers go to places where people who may be at high risk of hepatitis C are, including at key medical services and organisations.
More information, contact:
Karen Nicolaysen, Operations Manager
08 8953 3172