44466 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

44466 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter (January to March 2024) toward the objective ‘Increase the integration and coordination of hepatitis C-related prevention, harm reduction and treatment services’ under ‘Focus area 2: Prevention and harm reduction’ in the National Hepatitis C Action Plan?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that a range of hepatitis C clinics continued to be provided by hepatitis C nurses and/or peer workers in needle exchanges across the country. I am further advised that all clinics have a focus on link to treatment when required. I am also advised that some regions have been using dried blood spot testing approaches to support people who inject drugs by providing a point-of-care finger prick testing alternative for recommended annual testing, as opposed to testing that draws blood.