Positive feedback from hepatitis conference

Last week’s national hepatitis nurses conference was a success, with 87 people attending to hear about the latest news and developments in the field.

The conference was held at Te Papa in Wellington on July 12 and 13 and was organised by the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand. Foundation Nurse Manager Kelly Hayes says it was great to see such a strong interest.

“There was a great mix of nurses, project managers and industry representatives including staff from Pharmac, the Ministry of Health and the Health Promotion Agency.”

Speakers covered hepatitis B and C and included Hepatitis Foundation medical director Dr Chris Moyes, Auckland Liver Transplant Unit hepatologist and professor of medicine Ed Gane, one of the world’s leading hepatitis experts.

“The verbal feedback during and following the event was very positive,” Kelly says.

“Our speakers inspired and enthused attendees and gave them the up-to-date information they need to be clinical champions in their places of work.”

The event, in its second year, coincides with a Hepatitis Foundation campaign to promote World Hepatitis Day on July 28. This global event aims to educate people about hepatitis and highlights the importance of getting tested if you think you may be at risk. Hepatitis B is a blood-borne virus that can be contracted by exposure to the bodily fluids of an infected person. The virus causes inflammation of the liver, which can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer if left undiagnosed. Approximately 100,000 New Zealanders live with chronic hepatitis B.

The Hepatitis Foundation is a charitable trust promoting positive health outcomes for people living with chronic viral hepatitis. It provides a monitoring programme offering regular blood tests, scans, education and support. There are 25,000 patients enrolled in the programme. For more information call 0800 33 20 10 or visit www.hepatitisfoundation.org.nz.