Clinical

Developing a nursing service for patients with hepatitis C

<p>Hepatitis C is a chronic viral infection, which can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer and death. This article describes a model implemented to improve the care of people with hepatitis C in Calderdale and Huddersfield. The aim was to design a model of care based on patient need and create a flexible hepatitis C testing service for current and former injecting drug users. The new service concentrated on three elements: developing the local hepatitis C support group; introducing an integrated care pathway and booklet for assessing patients on treatment for hepatitis C; and implementing a viral hepatitis clinical nurse specialist role in the local drug and alcohol action team.</p>

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