More than 50 Rotorua residents living with hepatitis B or C have been educated by a community hepatitis nurse and received a FibroScan assessment (liver ultrasound) during the last two months.
Free Rotorua clinics were implemented by the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand in partnership with the Lakes District Health Board, Rotorua Area Primary Health Services (RAPHS) and local general practices.
A portable community-based FibroScan machine has been a main drawcard of the clinics. A FibroScan assessment can determine if a liver is damaged and is one of the most important things a person with viral hepatitis can undergo to assess the health of the liver. The clinics were set up within a general practice, where patients could attend to see a community hepatitis nurse.
"It's great to see there is education and assistance out there for hepatitis patients," chief executive of Korowai Aroha Health Centre Hariata Vercoe said.
"It gives our patients a bit more of an understanding about what viral hepatitis can do to them and how they can be in control of their health and well-being."
The foundation's community hepatitis nurse, Ann Hornell said it was a great opportunity to work alongside general practices to identify their patients who had been diagnosed with viral hepatitis.
"Some were diagnosed many years ago. We can see these patients in their own general practice, free of charge, and offer enrolment to our national follow-up programme."
A patient with chronic hepatitis C who attended a clinic at Korowai Aroha Health Centre had previously had to travel to Waikato Hospital to get a FibroScan. "I found it a lot easier being local. The clinic was really good and very efficient," the patient said.
To date, clinics in Rotorua have been held at Korowai Aroha Health Centre, Fairy Springs Medical Centre, Kuirau Medical Centre, Ngongotaha Medical Centre and Owhata Surgery.
A total of 122 people from Rotorua who have hepatitis B or C have been referred to the Hepatitis Foundation since work began in the area.