A pilot program for active follow up of hepatitis C notifications

The Victorian Department of Health and the Doherty Institute have partnered in a pilot program to actively follow up notifications of chronic hepatitis C to raise awareness of the newly-available treatment pathways and improve the co-ordinated delivery of care to Victorians living with chronic hepatitis C. 

The program is leveraging the state’s existing communicable disease surveillance system, to ensure that the information provided to clinicians is targeted and timely. The pilot will be evaluated to assess feasibility for broader application.

The Coordinated Hepatitis responses to Enhance the Cascade of Care by optimising existing Surveillance systems (CHECCS) program will support diagnosing clinicians by providing resources and guidance for the management and treatment of hepatitis C, including appropriate referral pathways. 

CHECCS has been funded by the Eliminate Hepatitis C Australia partnership as part of their national mission to establish coordinated responses to eliminate hepatitis C as a major public health threat by 2030. 

If you are a diagnosing clinician of a patient with hepatitis C, you may receive a call from the Victorian Department of Health seeking further information about test results and the availability of treatment options for your patient.

For more information about the pilot program, contact Mielle Abbott, Health Protection Branch mielle.abbott@health.vic.gov.au